Conservation Actions
This animal is only known from a protected area, but that designation does not preventing tourists from disturbing the animal (N.S. Nguyen pers. comm. 2017). Further research into the distribution throughout the park and into its population status are urgently needed. So far it has only been found at a single site in the park despite numerous surveys of Ta Kou.Location Information
This species is only known from Ta Kou, an isolated mountain, where its range appears to be limited to Hang To Cave, Ta Kou Nature Reserve, Binh Thuan Province, in southern Viet Nam, at 450 m asl. (Ngo and Bauer 2008). Extensive surveys elsewhere on the mountain and in the surrounding area, where similar habitat may be scarce, have only found this species at this locality, with other geckos dominating the fauna elsewhere and at the entrance of Hang To itself (N.S. Nguyen pers. comm. 2017).
Geographic Range
Extant
Viet Nam
Population Information
This species is very rare, and population trends are unknown. N.S. Sang (pers. comm. 2017) reports that "it is more and more difficult to observe the gecko", based on observations during multiple surveys since 2008, and in both dry and wet seasons.Threats
Its habitat is often disturbed during the dry season do to an annual influx of visitors and pilgrims who go down the bottom of the cave to get fresh water that they believe will bring them luck (Ngo and Bauer 2008). A shrine in Hang To cave itself which is frequently visited, and may directly disturb animals or introduce torches that may disturb the species. Noise and incense or smoke pollution, and rubbish left by tourists, are likely to degrade habitat quality in the caves, and tourism is increasing every year (N.S. Nguyen pers. comm. 2017). A cable car has been constructed in this area, resulting in the destruction of surrounding forest for the cable car chain and associated infrastructure (a restaurant, two stations, and a trail and accommodation for tourists) (N.S. Nguyen pers. comm. 2017).
