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Rare Orange-Haired Monkey Born at Zoo
13 Feb
Summary
- A rare, endangered François' langur with orange hair was born.
- The species has only 2,000 individuals remaining in the wild.
- This birth is part of an international conservation effort.
A significant birth has occurred at Whipsnade Zoo with the arrival of an endangered François' langur infant, notable for its striking orange hair. This development offers renewed optimism for the species' precarious future.
The infant's vibrant orange coloration is a temporary evolutionary trait, believed to aid parents in easily locating their young within the social group. This characteristic will fade to black as the monkey matures.
With an estimated global population of only 2,000 individuals, each new birth represents a vital step for the species. The baby, born on February 1st to experienced parents Nguyen and Wang, is a key part of a coordinated international conservation breeding program.
Native to China and northern Vietnam, François' langurs face severe threats from poaching for meat and traditional medicine. Zoo-based breeding programs are considered essential for safeguarding the species against extinction.
The zoo highlighted that the infant's mother, Nguyen, is an experienced parent. This birth follows another langur infant born at the zoo in the same year, underscoring the facility's commitment to the species' conservation.
François' langurs live in matriarchal groups with cooperative infant care, fostering strong social bonds and teaching essential social skills to older siblings. Visitors are encouraged to see the unique tangerine-colored infant before its hair changes.
