Golden Langur

• There are an estimated 7,396 golden langurs in India, the latest survey of the primate has revealed.
• The comprehensive population estimation of the endangered primate was carried out in two phases by the Primate Research Centre NE India (PRCNE), Assam Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), and Conservation Himalayas.
• The entire distribution range of the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) covers the Manas Biosphere Reserve and all fragmented forests in the western part of Assam.

ABOUT GOLDEN LANGUR (TRACHYPITHECUS GEEI)

• Gee’s golden langur is also known as golden leaf monkeys, or more simply as golden langurs.
• Golden langurs are easy to identify by their golden fur.
• Golden langurs’ coats change color with the seasons, darkening to a golden chestnut hue in the winter and lightening to a creamy tone in the summer.
• The color of the young differs from adults, as they are almost pure white.
• Habitat
  • It is limited to Assam, India and neighboring Bhutan where they live year-round.
  • The area they inhabit is restricted to the region surrounded by four geographical landmarks: the foothills of Bhutan (north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), and Brahmaputra river (south).
  • A single, isolated population of golden langurs even lives in the Abhaya Rubber Plantation, in the Kokrajhar district in Assam, India.
• Protection Status-
  • IUCN red list: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • WPA 1972: Schedule-I