Three troops of red-shanked douc langurs (scientifically known as Pygathrix nemaeus), with each comprising 5-6 individuals, have been found in the Da Nang-based Ba Na - Nui Chua Nature Reserve in recent times, Director of the Management Board of the Ba Na-Nui Chua Special-use Forest said.

A red-shanked douc langur recently found in the Ba Na - Nui Chua Nature Reserve

These animals were discovered in some sub-areas in the Ba Na-Nui Chua Nature Reserve. The appearance of the red-shanked douc langurs in the nature reserve shows the increasing effectiveness of the forest management and protection here. At present, biodiversity conservation measures are being applied to these discovered animals.

Declared endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2013, red-shanked douc langurs are considered to be “Queen of primates” thanks to their distinctive and unique appearance.

Sometimes referred to as “the costumed ape,” the red-shanked douc langur is among the most colorful of primates. The monkey’s yellow-orange face and ears appear to be powdered with theatrical makeup, and the eyelids appear to be dusted with a powder-blue eye shadow. Dark, almond-shaped eyes view the world, and from a modest nose, tiny nostrils inhale the fragrance of the forest habitat. Long, white whiskers (more generous in males) adorn the chin and frame the monkey’s alien-like face. A wide black band stretches across the monkey’s forehead.

In 2016, staffers from the Management Board of the Ba Na-Nui Chua Special-use Forest spotted some red-shanked douc langurs living here. However, they were unable to take photos of these animals for public announcement at that time.

By HOANG HIEP- Translated by A.T