The birth of an endangered monkey has been heralded by zookeepers as “internationally important” for the survival of the species.
On August 6, at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, the male François langur baby was born to Lee Lee and Wang.
At birth, the infant weighed just 450g, or about half the weight of a bag of sugar. Since then, he has mostly relied on his mother for support.
Staff members said that he had lately changed and was now “more inquisitive,” enabling photographers to take pictures of him for the first time.
Because to unlawful poaching, conservationists believe that there are just 2,000 Francois langurs remaining in the wild.
Zookeeper Hayley Jakeman stated, “We are overjoyed that he is here, growing stronger and more confident every day, and that visitors can now see him and be inspired to learn more about this endangered species.”
Our duty to preserve these amazing creatures is paramount. They are recognised by their curious facial expressions and their white, noticeable “sideburns.”
Citrus is the moniker given by zoo staff to the infant because of his vividly coloured fur.
The group went on to say that when they “get to know the newborn’s personality,” they will decide on a more permanent name.
François langurs are what?
Primate species known as François langurs are indigenous to northern Vietnam and China.
The International Union for Conservation has listed the monkeys as endangered on its Red List.
The San Francisco Zoo reports that throughout the last 36 years, there has been at least a 50% decrease in their population in the wild.
In the Chinese region of Guangxi, where they are often unlawfully killed to aid in the production of “black ape wine,” a delicacy manufactured expressly from the species, they are especially vulnerable.
