Golden Langur : The Endangered Spices of Monkey

The golden langur, the endangered monkey species lives only in Bhutan and adjacent Assam bordering Bhutan. It probably evolved in geographic isolation on the western side of the Manas river. On the other side of the river is its close cousin, the capped languar. No golden langurs are found on the river's eastern side.

Golden Languar is an vegetarian and it's diet composed mainly of mature leaves, but it also eats young leaves and fruit. During the monsoon season, fruit may comprise up to 50 percent of the langur's diet. Feeding strategy is adapted to cope with seasonal food scarcity. Langurs seldom leave the trees, even to drink from streams. During Summer they obtain water from dew or rain drenched leaves. They live in troops of as many as 50, Although long considered sacred by many Himalayan peoples, the Golden Langur was first brought to the attention of science by the naturalist E. P. Gee in the 1950s. and is generally found in smaller Golden and Capped Langurstroops of about nine individuals.

The common langur is one of the most commonly seen species in Bhutan and throughout the Himalaya. Like the rhesus macaque, this species is sacred to many Himalayan peoples. The Golden Languar is currently endangered, the total population being about 10,000, with the relative dearth of infants and juveniles indicating a declining population and the habitat being degraded by human activity.

Golden Languar found in Gelephu Bhutan

Golden Langur, the Endangered Spices of Monkey

The Long Tail a Characteristic of Golden Languar