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Rare Langur Born After a Decade at Zoo
16 Jul
Summary
- A baby Nilgiri langur was born at Thiruvananthapuram zoo after a 10-year gap.
- The endangered langur species requires specific conditions for successful breeding.
- The zoo's langur population has now increased to four.
The Thiruvananthapuram zoo has announced the heartwarming arrival of a baby Nilgiri langur, marking a significant breeding success after more than a decade. The rare newborn, born on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, is the first offspring for Ranjini and Rajeev since 2014.
Nilgiri langurs, also known as black leaf monkeys, are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 10,000 estimated to be in the wild. Successful breeding for this species is challenging due to their shy nature and specific environmental and nutritional requirements.
A dedicated team at the zoo worked diligently to create a calm and secluded environment conducive to reproduction for the langur couple. This achievement has increased the Nilgiri langur population at the zoo to four individuals.
For the next few days, Ranjini and her newborn will be kept in a special nursery enclosure for close observation. After approximately one month, they are expected to move to a public enclosure, allowing visitors to see the newest addition.
