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What does this species look like?
The douc langur is readily distinguishable from the smaller less arboreal primate by its brilliant colours. Its white tail is longer than its body. The adult weighs from 8 to13 kilogrammes.
This species is endemic to Indochina and includes three sub-species.
Red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus) and Black-shanked douc langur (Pygathix nemaeus nigripes)
Linnaeu first identified the red-shanked douc langur P.n. nemaeus in 1771. Its legs are maroon from the knees to the ankle, while the thighs, fingers and toes are black. The body is gray with agouti hairs of black, white and gray. The arms are white from the elbows to the wrists, while the upper arms are gray like the body.
A hundred year later, in 1871, Milne-Edwards identified the black-shanked douc langur P.n. nigripes. The hind limbs of the black-shanked douc langur are entirely black and the forelimbs (except the fingers) and the body are gray (agouti hairs), the chest being a lighter gray than the rest of the body.
Gray-shanked douc langur (Pygathix nemaeus cinereus)
A new subspecies, the grey-shanked langur, Pygathrix nemaeus, was described in Vietnam (Nadler, 1997). These douc langurs have distinctive markings and colouring, which differ from the previous described red-shanked douc langur and black-shanked douc langur.
The name “cinereus” indicates the grey colour of the shanks of the new subspecies in contrast to the red shanks of P.n. nemaeus and the black ones of P.n. nigripes.
Why is this species of global importance?
This species is one of the most beautiful primates in the world. It is endemic to Indochina, which means it can be found no elsewhere in the world. It contributes to the outstanding biodiversity value of the area and is globally significant.
What is the status of this species and why does this species need to be conserved?
It is classified as an endangered species in The Red Data Book of IUCN. The survival of this species is restricted to the evergreen closed forest. Under pressure from hunting and forest degradation, its number is quickly being reduced. Without appropriate conservation actions, this species may become extinct.
What is the WWF Greater Mekong Programme doing to conserve it?
- LINC project (1997-1999): included a programme for monitoring primates in Phong Nha and Ke Bang forests, Quang Binh province, Vietnam.
- MERODOL 2000 - A programme for monitoring and ecological research of red-shanked douc langurs in Phong Nha and Ke Bang forests, Quang Binh province, Vietnam.
- Ecoregion-based Conservation Planning (1999 and beyond): contributing to the protection of the moist forests of the Truong Son mountain range and, thereby, the whole range of douc langurs.
- Surveys of primate status in Bach Ma National Park (2000-2001): Improved management of the national park’s staff in surveying and monitoring primates.
- Technical assistance for combating illegal wildlife trade in Lao PDR and neighbouring countries (1999-2000).
- Adopted the douc langur as focal species for the WWF Greater Mekong Programme
