Phayre’s Langur and Western Hoolock Gibbon
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DTE
Context: The ‘Primates in Peril 2023–2025’ report has listed Cross River Gorilla and Tapanuli Orangutan among the 25 most endangered primates globally.
• Two Indian species — Phayre’s Langur and Western Hoolock Gibbon — were considered for the final list, highlighting their growing conservation concern.
About Primates in Peril 2023–2025:
What It Is?
• A biennial global report identifying the 25 most endangered primates worldwide based on scientific assessments.
Published By:
• An international team of primatologists, supported by institutions like IUCN, Bristol Zoological Society, and Conservation International.
Global Distribution of Threatened Species
• Africa: 6 species
• Asia: 9 species
• Madagascar: 4 species
• Neotropics (South America): 6 species
• 15 primates are newly added. (Of them 8 features for the first time).
About Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei):
• Status:
• IUCN Red List: Endangered Distribution: Northeast India, East Bangladesh, and Western Myanmar Habitat: Tropical evergreen, deciduous, and bamboo-dominated forests
• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• Distribution: Northeast India, East Bangladesh, and Western Myanmar
• Habitat: Tropical evergreen, deciduous, and bamboo-dominated forests
• Features:
• Physical: Deep bluish-brown coat, spectacle-like white rings around eyes Males weigh ~7.9 kg; females ~6.9 kg Tail longer than body, aiding arboreal movement Biological & Social: Lives in arboreal groups, mainly diurnal and folivorous. Distinct sagittal crest on head; vocal and territorial behavior. Diet: Primarily leaf-eating (colobine); also consume fruits and seeds Shows specialized craniodental adaptations for seed consumption.
• Physical: Deep bluish-brown coat, spectacle-like white rings around eyes Males weigh ~7.9 kg; females ~6.9 kg Tail longer than body, aiding arboreal movement
• Deep bluish-brown coat, spectacle-like white rings around eyes
• Males weigh ~7.9 kg; females ~6.9 kg
• Tail longer than body, aiding arboreal movement
• Biological & Social: Lives in arboreal groups, mainly diurnal and folivorous. Distinct sagittal crest on head; vocal and territorial behavior.
• Lives in arboreal groups, mainly diurnal and folivorous.
• Distinct sagittal crest on head; vocal and territorial behavior.
• Diet: Primarily leaf-eating (colobine); also consume fruits and seeds Shows specialized craniodental adaptations for seed consumption.
• Primarily leaf-eating (colobine); also consume fruits and seeds
• Shows specialized craniodental adaptations for seed consumption.
About Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock):
• Status
• IUCN Red List: Endangered WPA: Schedule I CITES: Appendix II Distribution: Northeast India, Eastern Bangladesh, Western Myanmar Habitat: Tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• WPA: Schedule I
• CITES: Appendix II
• Distribution: Northeast India, Eastern Bangladesh, Western Myanmar
• Habitat: Tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
• Features:
• Physical: Males are black with white brows, females are grey-brown Known for vocal duets and white rings around eyes and mouth Biological & Social: Lives in monogamous pairs with strong territorial behavior Moves by brachiation at speeds up to 55 km/hr Diet: Primarily frugivorous, supplemented by insects and leaves Arboreal and diurnal, relying heavily on tall canopy cover
• Physical: Males are black with white brows, females are grey-brown Known for vocal duets and white rings around eyes and mouth
• Males are black with white brows, females are grey-brown
• Known for vocal duets and white rings around eyes and mouth
• Biological & Social: Lives in monogamous pairs with strong territorial behavior Moves by brachiation at speeds up to 55 km/hr
• Lives in monogamous pairs with strong territorial behavior
• Moves by brachiation at speeds up to 55 km/hr
• Diet: Primarily frugivorous, supplemented by insects and leaves Arboreal and diurnal, relying heavily on tall canopy cover
• Primarily frugivorous, supplemented by insects and leaves
• Arboreal and diurnal, relying heavily on tall canopy cover