Hidden beneath the dense canopy of southern Vietnam lies a world teeming with life. In Cat Tien National Park, the calls of hornbills echo through the forest, reptiles move quietly beneath fallen leaves, and rare mammals roam deep among the ancient trees. This extraordinary ecosystem supports 97 mammal species, 343 bird species, 94 reptiles, and 37 amphibians.
With such rich biodiversity, what rare species actually call Cat Tien National Park home? And is it possible for visitors to observe them in the wild? Below are some of the most notable species that inhabit this extraordinary ecosystem.
Before introducing the list of rare animals in Cat Tien National Park, it is helpful to understand how they were selected. The park is home to many wildlife species, but only those with special conservation value are included in this list. A species is chosen as a Top rare animal if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
Javan Rhinoceros Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus was listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and was considered the most threatened large mammal in the world.
This subspecies of the Javan Rhinoceros was different from the population in Indonesia. It had only one horn and was a very large mammal living in lowland tropical rainforests, semi-deciduous forests, wetlands, and river floodplains. In Vietnam, it was found mainly in the Cat Loc area of Cat Tien National Park. In 1999, surveys recorded only about 7 to 8 individuals remaining in the park, a very small and fragile population.
In 2010, the last Javan Rhinoceros individual in Vietnam was shot by poachers. This tragic event officially marked the extinction of Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus in Vietnam and across mainland Asia. Since that moment, the species has completely disappeared from the country.
Today, the only remaining Javan Rhinoceros population in the world survives in Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia.
The Siamese Crocodile is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List and is among the rarest crocodile species on Earth.
Once widespread across mainland Southeast Asia, it has vanished from most of its original range due to wetland destruction, overhunting, and hybridization with farmed crocodiles. Today, confirmed wild populations remain only in small, isolated areas, mainly in Cambodia.
In Vietnam, the species once disappeared completely from the wild. At Bau Sau Wetlands in Cat Tien National Park, crocodiles were no longer recorded after 1992. This loss reflected the serious decline of freshwater ecosystems across the region.
A long-term conservation program began in the late 1990s to restore the species. From 2001 to 2005, 60 DNA-tested purebred crocodiles were reintroduced into Bau Sau. The first hatchlings were recorded in 2005, a critical turning point for conservation in Vietnam. Since then, the population has steadily increased, reaching more than 286 individuals by 2019 and exceeding 500 individuals by early 2025. Bau Sau is now considered one of the most successful crocodile rewilding sites in Southeast Asia.
Today, Siamese crocodiles breed and live naturally in this protected Ramsar wetland, demonstrating that carefully managed reintroduction can rebuild a species once thought lost in the country.
Siamese crocodile thrive in large numbers at Bau Sau Wetlands
Visitors can see Siamese crocodiles at Bau Sau Wetlands in Cat Tien National Park, through the Cat Tien Bau Sau crocodile tour. Guided tours offer the best chance to observe them in their natural habitat, where they have become a symbol of conservation success in Cat Tien National Park.
The Orange-necked Partridge (Arborophila davidi) is a bird species in the pheasant family (Phasianidae). It is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List and is considered globally rare because of its extremely small population and limited distribution.
Globally, this species is found only in a very small area of southern Vietnam and a tiny patch of far eastern Cambodia, making it one of the most restricted pheasant species in the world.
In Vietnam, it has been recorded in protected areas such as Cat Tien National Park, Bu Gia Map National Park, Dong Nai Nature Reserve Management Board, and forest enterprises including Vinh An, Nghia Trung, Bu Dop, Tan Phu, and Da Teh. Scientists also predict that it may occur in other areas of southern Lam Dong Province, Dong Nai Province, Binh Duong, and Binh Phuoc.
Its natural habitats include tropical and subtropical moist forests, shrublands, plantations, and foothill areas, usually at elevations of 120 - 600 meters. In Cat Tien National Park, the species has been found in the Cat Loc area, which is an important habitat for this rare bird. In Cat Tien National Park, the exact population number of the Orange-necked Partridge has not been clearly documented. However, scientists confirm that the species has a very small and restricted population, mainly found in and around the park.
Orange-necked Partridge is an extremely rare and endemic bird species found in Cat Tien National Park. Photo source: Tim Dinh Annambirding
Because of habitat loss and its limited population, protecting forest ecosystems in Cat Tien National Park and other southern Vietnamese forests is essential to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species.
The Asian Elephant is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. Across Asia, elephant populations have become highly fragmented, surviving only in scattered forest patches within 13 countries.
What makes the Asian Elephant especially significant in Cat Tien National Park is its extremely small and vulnerable population. Today, only about 9 to 11 individuals remain in the park, all living in the southern section (Nam Cat Tien). This includes two adult or subadult males and a herd of about eight elephants, with three to four adult females, two to three subadults or juveniles, one juvenile recorded at about two years old in 2001, and one calf born in April 2001. Elephants disappeared from the northern Cat Loc area in the 1970s and 1980s because of hunting. This means the current population is isolated and at high risk.
The Asian Elephant is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List
Such a small group is biologically fragile. With only a few adult females and limited breeding individuals, the long-term survival of this population depends heavily on strict protection and habitat management. Even the birth of a single calf is considered an important conservation event. Cat Tien is therefore one of the last strongholds for wild Asian elephants in southern Vietnam.
Visitors who want to observe Asian elephants in Cat Tien should join guided tours in the southern area of the park, especially near grasslands and forest edges during the dry season.
The Yellow-cheeked Gibbon Cat Tien (Nomascus gabriellae) is one of the most important and endangered primates in Cat Tien National Park wildlife. This species is listed as Endangered due to habitat loss and illegal hunting across its range in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Cat Tien National Park is home to more than 500 individuals, making it one of the largest and most significant remaining populations in Vietnam. Because gibbons depend on large, continuous areas of primary and semi-evergreen forest, their presence shows that parts of Cat Tien still maintain high ecological quality. In other words, they are not only rare animals but also indicators of a healthy forest ecosystem.
You can hear the beautiful morning songs of the Yellow-cheeked Gibbon near the management headquarters of Cat Tien National Park
The Yellow-cheeked Gibbon is especially notable for its loud morning songs, which echo through the forest at dawn. For many visitors, hearing these calls is one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in Cat Tien. The best time for wildlife viewing Cat Tien is early in the morning, when gibbons are most active. Visitors should always follow the Rules for animal watching in Cat Tien to avoid disturbing them and protect their natural habitat.
Indochinese Silvered Langur (Trachypithecus germaini) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List (2015). It is also known as Germain’s silver langur or the Indochinese leaf monkey. This species lives in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. However, the population in Vietnam has decreased strongly, and there have been very few sightings in the past 50 years. Cat Tien National Park is considered one of the few important forest landscapes where the species may still survive in the wild.
The Indochinese Silvered Langur has black fur on its hands, feet, upper body, and face, while the underparts are lighter grey. It has a long grey tail and white hair around its round face. Young langurs are easy to recognize because they have bright orange fur.
The langur depends on intact lowland evergreen and riverine forests, habitats that have been heavily reduced outside protected areas. Because it is arboreal and highly cautious, it is extremely difficult to observe in natural conditions. This elusiveness adds to its conservation concern, as small and isolated groups are more vulnerable to local extinction.
The Indochinese Silvered Langur has black fur on its hands, feet, upper body, and face, with lighter grey underparts.
In Cat Tien National Park, it is quite difficult to see Indochinese Silvered Langurs in the wild. However, visitors may have a chance to spot them at the Dao Tien Primate Rescue Centre or along the Crocodile Trail. Patience and careful observation are important when looking for this rare primate.
The Black-shanked Douc (Pygathrix nigripes) is one of the most remarkable rare species in Cat Tien and is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.
This colorful primate has grey fur, black lower legs, a white tail, and a bright orange face with light blue skin around the eyes. It is native to southern Vietnam and Cambodia and now survives only in a few remaining forest areas. In Vietnam, the species has been recorded in provinces such as Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Đắk Lắk, Lâm Đồng, Bình Dương, Bình Phước, Tây Ninh, and Đồng Nai. The Black-shanked Douc population in Vietnam has decreased by at least 50% since 1980 due to hunting, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat loss caused by deforestation and climate change.
The Black-shanked Douc at Cat Tien National Park
What makes this species especially important in Cat Tien is that the park protects one of the key remaining populations in Vietnam, with an estimated 300 individuals. As the species now survives only in fragmented forest areas across southern Vietnam and parts of Cambodia, Cat Tien plays a critical role in its long-term survival.
Visitors who want to observe the Cat Tien Black-shanked Douc can try locations such as behind the bungalow area, Ben Cu Rapid, Dao Tien Primate Rescue Centre, and along the main trail. Although sightings are not guaranteed, quiet observation and patience can help visitors see this rare and beautiful primate in its natural habitat.
The Gaur, also called the Indian bison, is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Its population has decreased in many countries because of forest loss, hunting, and habitat fragmentation. In some places like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, gaur have already disappeared.
In Vietnam, the total wild population is estimated at only around 300 individuals, which makes the species nationally threatened. Among these, more than 120 gaur live in Cat Tien National Park, making it one of the most important strongholds for the species in the country. Nearly half of Vietnam’s remaining gaur are found here.
Gaur are the largest wild cattle species in the world. Because of their large body size, they need wide forest areas and open grasslands to survive. Today, such habitats are becoming rare. The fact that Cat Tien can still support a stable population of gaur shows that the park maintains a healthy and relatively intact ecosystem.
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A herd of Gaur was spotted in Cat Tien National Park
Visitors may see gaur along forest edges and grasslands, especially during the Cat Tien night safari tour, when they often come out to feed after sunset.
Pygmy Slow Loris (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus) is one of the Vietnam Red Data Book animals and is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also an important part of the wildlife of Cat Tien National Park.
Even though an estimated 72,000 individuals remain in the wild, this number is decreasing, and the species faces heavy pressure across its range. Slow lorises are often captured and sold illegally because of their large, round eyes and gentle appearance. Many do not survive the capture and transport process. In addition, deforestation reduces the continuous forest canopy they depend on for safe movement.
The Pygmy Slow Loris is a shy species that is highly sensitive to disturbance.
What makes the Pygmy Slow Loris particularly rare and special in Cat Tien is its secretive and nocturnal lifestyle. It is active only at night and moves slowly and quietly through the trees, making it difficult to detect. This species depends on healthy evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, which Cat Tien still provides. The park therefore plays an important role as a refuge for this vulnerable primate.
Visitors may have a chance to see them during guided night walks along the Main Trail, the Tung Tree Trail, or near the Lodge area. However, sightings require patience, quiet observation, and respect for wildlife, as this shy species is highly sensitive to disturbance.
The Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is one of the most common primates in Cat Tien National Park. Although it is widely distributed across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam, the species is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, hunting, and illegal wildlife trade across much of its range.
Despite its wide distribution, the Long-tailed Macaque remains important in Cat Tien because the park provides a relatively stable and protected habitat where wild populations can survive naturally. As a highly adaptable species, it can live in forests, along riverbanks, and even near human settlements.
The Long-tailed Macaque is one of the primates you can most often see in Cat Tien National Park.
In Cat Tien, they are often seen around the park headquarters and along main roads. While there is no exact population estimate for the park, they are considered a common primate here. Rescue and release programs also support the population, for example, 11 individuals were released back into the forest in 2020, along with other small groups in different years.
The species is also significant for environmental education. Unlike more elusive primates such as the Yellow-cheeked Gibbon or Black-shanked Douc, Long-tailed Macaques are easier to observe in the wild. This makes them an important “ambassador species,” helping visitors better understand primate behavior and the importance of forest conservation. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to see them, but visitors should never feed or touch them in order to protect both the animals and the ecosystem.
In June 2024, Cat Tien National Park became the first national park in Vietnam to officially achieve the IUCN Green List status. This is the highest global certification for protected areas that meet strict standards of good governance, sound design, and effective management.
Being listed on the IUCN Green List confirms that Cat Tien is managed according to international best practices and delivers real conservation results. It is considered a “gold standard” for protected areas worldwide and marks an important milestone for Vietnam’s conservation sector.
Cat Tien does not only protect existing wildlife but also actively restore ecosystems. The park cooperates with international organizations to rescue, rehabilitate, and release endangered primates such as the black-shanked douc and the yellow-cheeked gibbon.
In September 2024, the park successfully reintroduced rare Javan woolly-necked storks back into the wild - one of the most notable recent conservation achievements.
Another long-term success story is the 20-year recovery of freshwater crocodiles at Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake). From a time when crocodiles had completely disappeared, the area is now home to hundreds of individuals thanks to consistent reintroduction and protection efforts.
Technology plays a key role in protecting wildlife at Cat Tien. Rangers use SMART and EarthRanger monitoring systems to record patrol data, track forest changes, and detect illegal hunting activities. These digital tools improve patrol efficiency and allow better planning of conservation actions.
A dense network of camera traps has been installed to monitor elusive species such as the fishing cat, leopard, and Asian elephant. The collected data helps identify population numbers and activity areas, allowing the park to prioritize protection zones.
In addition, Oxalis Adventure has donated 8 real-time wildlife cameras along with television screens installed at the park’s management center. These cameras are placed in areas where animals frequently appear, allowing forest rangers to monitor wildlife live from the control room. The system strengthens protection efforts and also helps raise public awareness about conservation work.
Local communities play an important role in conservation. Instead of hunting, people from ethnic groups such as the Chau Ma and S’Tieng are trained to become tour guides, join forest patrol teams, or provide homestay services. These alternative livelihoods reduce pressure on forest resources while improving local incomes.
Watching wildlife in Cat Tien National Park can be an unforgettable experience, but it requires patience, preparation, and respect for nature. To increase your chances of seeing animals in their natural habitat, it is important to understand the best time for wildlife viewing Cat Tien and follow the proper guidelines.
The best time for wildlife viewing in Cat Tien is during dusk and nighttime, when many carnivores such as fishing cats and civets, as well as hoofed animals like deer, are most active. The dry season (from December to May) is also ideal because water sources become limited, and animals gather around wetlands such as Bau Sau to drink. In addition, reptiles and amphibians often appear shortly after rainfall, making this another excellent moment for observation.
To ensure both safety and successful sightings, visitors should strictly follow the rules for animal watching in Cat Tien. Wildlife here is sensitive and elusive, so keep noise to a minimum, avoid strong perfumes or scented sprays, and never use bright white lights at night. When joining evening activities, red-filtered lights are recommended because they are less disturbing to animals.
Bringing the right equipment will improve your experience. Binoculars are essential for observing birds and mammals from a safe distance without causing disturbance. Wear neutral-colored clothing such as green or brown to blend into the forest, and consider using leech socks when trekking through dense vegetation.
One of the most popular activities is the Cat Tien night safari tour, a 12-kilometer journey through the forest by open-top vehicle. During this tour, visitors may spot deer, wild boar, and other nocturnal species under specialized lighting. Trekking to Bau Sau offers opportunities to observe freshwater crocodiles and rare water birds, while early morning walks provide the chance to see yellow-cheeked gibbons in the treetops.
Cat Tien National Park is not only home to many rare animals, but also to ancient trees and valuable plant species that create a rich and peaceful forest ecosystem. It is an ideal destination for anyone who wants to escape the busy city and breathe fresh air. Visitors can enjoy many activities such as camping, visiting the Nature Museum, cycling through forest trails, or joining an open-top jeep tour to explore deeper areas of the park. Located only about 150 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien is a perfect getaway for a short trip. If you are looking for a place to explore, connect with nature, and observe wildlife, Cat Tien National Park is waiting for you.
