Nenh Sung
Small Torrent Frog was discovered in 2007 by Orlov & Ho (2007) from Ho Thau Village, Ho Thau Commune, Tam Duong District, Lai Chau province, Vietnam. Since then, no other populations of this species have been discovered. Son La Sucker Frog was discovered in 2019 by Pham, Sung, Pham, Le, Ziegler, and Nguyen (2019) from Nam Nghiep Village, Ngoc Commune, Muong La District, Son La province, Vietnam.
Both are listed as Endangered as these species face continuing deforestation, which is occurring throughout the region (Tachibana et al. 2001, Sodhi et al. 2009, IUCN 2022), particularly for cardamom fields in north-western Viet Nam (IUCN 2022). Tourism activities may be a threat to the species on Mount Fansipan, with littering and habitat loss, and modification within the habitat of the species (IUCN 2017, 2022). However, information on the population status, ecology and conservation status of these two frogs are lacking.
The main objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate the population status, distribution, and ecology as well as the protection of the habitat where these species occur through field surveys and increase the knowledge of these frogs, by raising conservation awareness for the local community through community discussions and environmental education at local. By doing so we will set a basis of conservation biological knowledge to support forest rangers and local people take effective conservation measures for these frogs in the future. Moreover, this study will also help to identify the priority sites/habitats for two frogs’ conservation in northwestern Vietnam. And the last, we will work closely with directorates of natural reserves, local government levels, local people, and other stakeholders in surveying and evaluating conservation measures.