Conservation Success:
Ten Owston's civet kittens have been successfully bred at the Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center in Cuc Phuong National Park, marking the largest litter of civets ever born in captivity.
Details of the Birth:
The kittens were born to four pairs of parent civets that were confiscated from illegal wildlife trade in late 2023. "The 10 kittens were born naturally over the course of a month and are currently in good health," said Tran Van Truong, coordinator for ex situ conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Center in Vietnam.
Significance of the Birth:
According to Le Trong Dat, deputy director of the Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center at Cuc Phuong National Park, this breeding success is unprecedented for Owston's civets globally.
Monitoring and Protection:
All civets, including the kittens, are under 24/7 surveillance via a camera system to ensure their well-being. Additionally, human contact with the civets is minimized to avoid any disturbance.
Conservation Efforts:
The Wildlife Conservation Center in Vietnam, in collaboration with Cuc Phuong National Park, has established a 1.3-hectare breeding and conservation area for the endangered civets. The goal is to maintain a stable population of at least 50 individuals before releasing them back into their natural habitat. Release into the wild is estimated to occur in 3-4 years.
Future Plans:
The Wildlife Conservation Center in Vietnam is seeking additional resources and partnerships with organizations like the Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center and Saigon Zoo to diversify the genetic pool.
Background on Owston's Civet:
Scientifically known as Chrotogale owstoni, the Owston's civet is a small and elusive carnivore with a limited distribution in Vietnam, Laos, and southern China. They are listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to illegal poaching and trade for their meat and as pets.
Summary:
The successful birth of 10 Owston's civet kittens is a testament to the dedicated conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. The ongoing monitoring and care provided by experts at the Wildlife Conservation Center in Vietnam is crucial for the kittens' survival and the future reintroduction of the species into its natural habitat.