Discovered 500 gray-shanked douc in the Central Highlands

The International Flora and Fauna Conservation Organization (FFI) has just announced the discovery of 500 gray-shanked douc in the Central Highlands.

This number is nearly double the world known population. Prior to the survey, FFI estimated 800-1,000 remnants and they were one of the 25 most endangered primates in the world.

Newly discovered gray-shanked scrub species in the Central Highlands.(Photo: Nguyen Van Truong).

"This is really a primate of Vietnam and cannot be found elsewhere. The new population brings hope but is really sad when they are on the brink of extinction," said Benjamin Rawson, FFI Vietnamese Director. Nam said.

Gray-shanked douc langur lives in forests in the Central Highlands. The main threat to species is deforestation, hunting and habitat destruction. This is a species often caught for meat, medicine and livestock.

Experts believe that efforts need to be made from many sides including the government, local communities, civil organizations in the conservation of the species.

Scrubbing is a primate group consisting of three species: gray legs, brown legs and black legs. They live on trees in Vietnam's forests in groups of 4 to 30 individuals. The patched scrub species have a tail that is as long as the body length (56-76cm).

Gray-shanked douc (Pygathrix cinerea) has yellow face, white chin and gray coat covering most of the body. A herd usually has a male, some females and some females, but this herd can be grouped into larger flocks of up to 30 animals. They eat leaves and some other parts of the plant, like seeds, fruits, flowers.