Red-Shanked Douc Langur

Pygathrix nemaeus

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Red-Shanked Douc Langur

DESCRIPTION

The Red-Shanked Douc Langur has grey ‘agouti’ coloration on the back, belly and upper arms. Their forearms are white, upper legs black to grey and the lower legs a deep red. The skin on their face is a creamy color with a paler white color around the mouth. Their cheek whiskers and tail are white. Males are larger than females averaging 8.8 kilogram with a head-body length of 59 centimeter, whilst females average 6.6 kilogram and 54 centimeter.

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GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

This species is found in North Central Vietnam, Central and Southern Laos, and Northeastern Cambodia. The total population is unknown, however, the population in Laos is believed to be large and more stable than in Vietnam.

HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Red-Shanked Douc Langurs occur in subtropical and tropical broadleaf evergreen or semi-deciduous forests and to a lesser extent in secondary evergreen and mixed bamboo forests. Diurnal and arboreal, they travel through the canopy feeding predominantly on leaves, but also eat fruits, flowers, buds, and bark. They mostly live in family groups of one single male and multi females, but regularly come together into larger groups of up to 50 animals in a fission-fusion association.

THREATS

Hunting is the main threat – for subsistence use and traditional medicine – they are also hunted for the international pet trade.

STATUS AND CONSERVATION

In Vietnam, the species is listed as Critically Endangered in the 2007 Vietnam Red Data Book and is protected by law under Decree 32/2006 ND-CP: 1B.

CITES Appendix II

This species is threatened with extinction and international trade is permitted only in exceptions circumstances.

Working to ensure a future for Vietnam's primates