Francois Langur
Langur groups are mostly made up of related females, with only a single adult male. They travel and feed together and reinforce their bonds through frequent mutual grooming. The females all help with parenting the young, and the ‘aunts’ will often take on babysitting duties while the mothers forage, carrying up to three babies at a time.
Francois’ langurs are endangered with populations fragmented and in decline. Their primary threat is hunting for traditional medicines, particularly “black ape wine”, made from their bones. They are also losing habitat as it is common for farmers to use fire to clear areas for cultivation, destroying langurs’ feeding and sleeping sites.
The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 2 Francois’ langurs, Tam Dao and Keo-Co.
DISTRIBUTION | Southwestern China to Northeastern Vietnam |
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LIFESPAN | Up to 25 years |
CONSERVATION STATUS | Endangered |