Con Dao Ramsar Site, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province (2013)

Sunset on Nhat beach (Con Dao) – Author Truong Ti Nhi

Con Dao National Park is located in Con Dao district with an area of ​​nearly 20,000 hectares, of which the forest conservation area is nearly 6,000 hectares, the marine conservation area is nearly 14,000 hectares. In addition, the National Park also has a marine buffer zone surrounding the subdivisions of 20,500 hectares. The ecosystem is typical of a tropical sea and is the habitat of many endemic species of animals and plants of Vietnam, Southeast Asia and the world. According to the Con Dao National Park Management Board, Con Dao National Park currently has recorded over 1,000 vascular plant species, 44 plant species described for the first time on the islands. The park has also recorded 29 species of mammals, 85 species of birds and 46 species of reptiles and frogs. Although the number of species is not high, the density of individuals is very high, some species and subspecies are endemic to the region such as the Con Son black squirrel. Con Dao’s bird fauna has not been fully researched, but many scientists have confirmed that there are many bird species in Con Dao that are not found anywhere else in Vietnam, such as nicoba pigeons and tropical birds. .

Besides, the marine ecosystem of Con Dao National Park has mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds. Mangrove forest has about 31 hectares with 46 plant species distributed around Hon Ba, along the west coast of Hon Bay Canh and along the southern and northern coasts of Con Son island. Coral reefs in Con Dao are among the oldest in Vietnam, distributed in shallow water areas around the islands, occupying a total area of ​​about 1,000 hectares.

Con Dao National Park is an ideal place to visit and study island tropical forest ecosystems and rare endemic flora and fauna species. Here, projects on the conservation of marine life have been implemented such as sea turtle conservation, restoration, coral culture, relocation, and zoning of rare seafood species. Con Dao National Park is also home to critically endangered species and threatened ecological communities (such as Dugon, sea turtles). The garden is also a place that plays a supporting role for plant and animal species that are important in maintaining important biodiversity in Vietnam and the world, and is an important food source for aquatic animals. , is the breeding, nurturing and migration route of many marine species.

Source: Department of Natural Resources and Biodiversity