The new Kim Bang Delacour’s Langur Conservation Area was announced on Tuesday in northern Vietnam. Its creation highlights how a single protected zone can become a pivotal step for a species on the brink of extinction.

Covering 3,182 hectares, the reserve is officially the world’s largest protected habitat for the Delacour’s langur. The size includes more than 3,016 hectares of natural limestone forest, making it a substantial stronghold for the primate.

The Delacour’s langur is listed as Critically Endangered, with only about 400 individuals remaining in the wild. Over 90 % of these animals live in the limestone forests of Kim Bang and the nearby Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, concentrating the species in a very limited area.

The reserve is split into three zones—strict protection, ecological restoration and administration. Management is the responsibility of the Ninh Binh Protection and Special‑use Forest Management Board.

Beyond protecting the animals, the reserve provides a legal and scientific basis for a UNESCO World Heritage nomination of the Van Long‑Kim Bang‑Tam Chuc cultural and ecological landscape. This link to a World Heritage bid could bring international attention and additional resources to the area.