Beautiful and Doomed: Saving Bangladesh’s Langurs From Extinction

A recent study has found hybridisation (interbreeding) between critically endangered Phayre’s #langurs and endangered capped langurs in #Bangladesh, raises serious concerns about their genetic health and future survival as distinct species. Hybridisation is a serious sign of ecological disruption, and researchers point to human-related threats such as #palmoil and #timber #deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and #hunting as key drivers for them interbreeding. These pressures not only push the species to hybridise but also threaten their long-term existence in the wild, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to address habitat destruction and protect these seriously endangered primates. 🌿 Help them when you shop, go #vegan and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Beautiful Capped Langurs and Phayre’s #Langurs are interbreeding, risking both #species’ survival. Pressures of #palmoil #deforestation and #hunting are pushing the #monkeys to the edge in #Bangladesh #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🚫 @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-9bY

Hybridisation/interbreeding of two beautiful #langur 🐵🐒species in #Bangladesh puts both #animals in serious peril finds #research study 😭. #Palmoil #deforestation is a major threat. Fight back and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🛢️⛔ @palmoildetect.bsky.social https://wp.me/pcFhgU-9bY

This article was originally published in Mongabay and was written by Mohammad Al-Masum Molla, read the original article. Republished under Creative Commons attribution licence. Research by Ahmed, T., Hasan, S., Nath, S., Biswas, S. … Roos, C. (2024). Mixed-Species Groups and Genetically Confirmed Hybridization Between Sympatric Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) and Capped Langur (T. pileatus) in Northeast Bangladesh. International Journal of Primatology. doi:10.1007/s10764-024-00459-x

• Bangladesh is home to less than 500 Phayre’s langurs and 600 capped langurs in the rainforests in the country’s northeast.
• A recent study has unveiled a trend of hybridisation between Phayre’s langurs and capped langurs in Bangladesh, which are listed as critically endangered and endangered, respectively, by IUCN.
• Hybridisation is a vital indicator of ecological change, and researchers are raising serious concerns about the genetic health of the two species and their future existence in the wild.
• The study holds human activities such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation and hunting as some of the causes responsible for increasing the risk of hybridisation cases.

A recent study revealed a troubling trend among the wild monkey population in Bangladesh’s northeastern forests. The study, conducted by the German Primate Centre, unveiled a concerning tendency of hybridisation between Phayre’s langurs (Trachypithecus phayrei) and capped langurs (Trachypithecus pileatus), listed as critically endangered and endangered, respectively, within Bangladesh by IUCN.

This hybridisation of the endangered primates, which researchers of the study say is caused by habitat loss due to deforestation and other human interferences, could push them to extinction in a few generations.

“Bangladesh’s langur populations are small and isolated, limiting gene flow. This hybridisation in restricted populations heightens their extinction risk. Furthermore, our laws primarily protect pure langurs, leaving hybrids unprotected. If hybrids persist into future generations, we’ll face tough decisions about their role in our ecosystem,” Tanvir Ahmed, the study’s lead researcher, told Mongabay.

Monirul H. Khan, a professor at Jahangirnagar University’s Zoology Department, agreed with Tanvir and said that the significance of interbreeding is that these langurs don’t survive for a long time.

“They are usually born infertile. So the population of langur will gradually decrease,” he said.

The study, published in the International Journal of Primatology, recently found that out of 98 langur groups observed, eight comprised both Phayre’s and capped langurs.

“We analysed genetic samples of the species in the lab and confirmed one case of hybridisation. This langur had a capped langur mother and a Phayre’s langur father. Another female with a hybrid appearance showed signs of motherhood, indicating that at least female hybrids are fertile and give birth to young,” Tanvir said.

“The genetic characteristics of a distinct species tend to become most threatened when their hybrid females can reproduce. Fertile hybrid females threaten to bring the two species closer together as the offsprings begin to mix characteristics. That is exactly what could be happening to them,” he said.

The research shows that the ‘spectacled’ Phayre’s langurs and the capped langurs, with their distinctive shock of black fur on their heads, are under threat of losing their distinct genetic makeup to hybridisation.

Researchers conducted the study over five years, between 2018 and 2023, in six forests in northeastern Bangladesh — Lawachara National Park, Satchari National Park, Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajkandi Reserve Forest, Patharia Hill Reserve Forest and Atora Hill Reserve Forest.

The study involved field surveys for 92 days between March 2018 and April 2019 and from July to December 2022, employing three trained local eco-guides to monitor the mixed-species groups until October 2023.

Why hybridisation is a concern

The study shows that, although it’s relatively rare, hybridisation among primates is an escalating concern worldwide, often driven by habitat loss and fragmentation. It serves as a stark reminder of the significant impacts of human activity on biodiversity. The situation in Bangladesh gradually becoming more common emphasizes the urgent need for strong conservation efforts.

The study mentions how hybridisation is a vital indicator of ecological change, raising serious concerns about species’ genetic health. Tanvir added that this study is groundbreaking, as it documents the first hybridisation incidents among these langurs in Bangladesh and their entire distribution range.

Hybrids being fertile could lead to the extinction of the parent species. “Additionally, mixing species can enable the spread of diseases between previously unconnected populations, posing risks to both wildlife and human health, since these animals are often hunted and traded,” said Sabit Hasan, a researcher of the study.

The study blamed human activities such as palm oil deforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting and trapping of primates as some of the causes that can increase the risk of such hybridisation.

“The existence of fertile hybrids is particularly alarming because it suggests that gene flow between these two endangered species could irreversibly affect their future genetic composition,” Tanvir said.

Primates of Bangladesh

Ten of the 121 mammal species found in Bangladesh are primates. According to the hybridisation study, Bangladesh is home to less than 500 Phayre’s langurs and 600 capped langurs.

The Phayre’s langur has a brown to grey-brown back, white fur on its belly and face, and a “spectacled” appearance due to wide white rings around its eyes. Its face and extremities are black, and it has long hair on its head that points backward. Additionally, its tail is longer than its body and has a tuft of dark hair at the tip.

The capped langur is known for its distinctive crown of long, erect hairs on its head. It has a black face, grey to blackish-grey fur on top, and brownish-yellow or orange fur below, with the distal half of its tail being blackish.

The study suggested the government prioritize habitat preservation and create corridors to connect isolated primate populations, facilitating natural langur dispersal.

“If we don’t take action now, we risk losing not just two monkey species but also a vital part of Bangladesh’s biodiversity,” Tanvir said.

Banner image: The genetically confirmed hybrid (right) with its capped langur mother at Satchari National Park. Image by Harish Debbarma.

This article was originally published in Mongabay and was written by Mohammad Al-Masum Molla, read the original article. Republished under Creative Commons attribution licence. Research by Ahmed, T., Hasan, S., Nath, S., Biswas, S. … Roos, C. (2024). Mixed-Species Groups and Genetically Confirmed Hybridization Between Sympatric Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) and Capped Langur (T. pileatus) in Northeast Bangladesh. International Journal of Primatology. doi:10.1007/s10764-024-00459-x

ENDS

Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Sunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus

Western Parotia Parotia sefilata

Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

Mountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque

Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

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The intelligent and social Capped #Langur 🙉🐒🐵 is under pressure from #palmoil #deforestation and hunting in #India 🇮🇳 Troops are interbreeding with Phayre's #langurs to survive. Fight for them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴☠️❌ #Boycott4Wildlife

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Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Location: India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar

This species inhabits subtropical and tropical dry forests, primarily in the foothills and highlands south of the Brahmaputra River and across fragmented patches in northeastern South Asia.

The capped #langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) is a graceful and beautiful leaf #monkey found across northeastern #India, #Bhutan, #Bangladesh, and #Myanmar. Sadly, they are listed as #Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to rapid population declines from #deforestation, logging, agriculture, and the devastating impacts of #palmoil plantations. Once widespread, their numbers have nearly halved in some regions like Assam due to the accelerating loss of native forest cover. Directly threatened by palm oil and monoculture expansion, this species is now confined to small, isolated forest fragments. Take action every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/NhpTmfZuNV4

In the forests of #Bangladesh 🇧🇩 and northern #India 🇮🇳 lives a remarkable #primate with soulful hazel eyes 🐵🐒 on the verge of #extinction from #palmoil #deforestation. Help the Capped #Langur and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2026/01/11/capped-langur-trachypithecus-pileatus/

The intelligent and social Capped #Langur 🙉🐒🐵 is under pressure from #palmoil #deforestation and hunting in #India 🇮🇳 Troops are interbreeding with Phayre’s #langurs to survive. Fight for them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴☠️❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2026/01/11/capped-langur-trachypithecus-pileatus/

Appearance & Behaviour

With their black-tufted crown, pale fur, and soulful eyes, capped langurs are among the most visually distinctive primates in the Eastern Himalayas. Their fur ranges from silver-grey to golden orange, with darker limbs and a black cap that gives them their name. They move gracefully through the canopy, rarely descending to the forest floor except for play or social grooming.

Capped langurs live in unimale, multifemale groups with sizes ranging from 8 to 15 individuals. They spend most of their time feeding (up to 67%) or resting (up to 40%), engaging in complex social grooming and vocal communication. Daily movements range from 320–800 metres across fragmented habitats of 21–64 hectares. Grooming is an important social activity, with females often taking turns in allomothering behaviour.

Threats

Palm oil, teak and rubber monoculture plantations

The spread of oil palm and other monoculture crops such as teak and rubber is destroying the capped langur’s native forests at an alarming rate. These industrial plantations eliminate the diverse tree species that capped langurs rely on for food and shelter, leaving them with little to survive on. Once a landscape is cleared and replaced with palm oil or other single crops, it becomes a green desert devoid of biodiversity, pushing the species closer to extinction. In regions like Assam and Bangladesh, palm oil is a major driver of habitat fragmentation and degradation, especially in forest corridors that once connected populations.

Timber deforestation

Widespread illegal logging, often fuelled by demand for timber and firewood, is rapidly eroding the capped langur’s habitat. Fruiting and lodging trees that are vital to their survival are cut down, leaving forests patchy and disconnected. As their home ranges shrink, capped langur groups are forced into smaller fragments, increasing their vulnerability to predators, food shortages, and inbreeding. In some areas, this pressure has led to local extinctions or the collapse of entire populations.

Slash-and-burn agriculture

Slash-and-burn agriculture destroys habitat for capped langurs and often brings them into closer contact with human settlements, increasing conflict and risk of hunting or roadkill. Forest recovery from this can take decades—time the capped langur simply doesn’t have.

Hunting and the illegal pet trade

Capped langurs are hunted for their meat, pelts, and for sale in the illegal pet trade. In many tribal and rural areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur, they are still targeted despite legal protections. Their pelts are used to make traditional knife sheaths, and infants are often captured after killing their mothers, then sold as pets. This exploitation causes severe suffering and has a devastating impact on group structures, leading to long-term population decline.

Roads cut into rainforests for mines and tea plantations

As forests are cut into smaller patches for roads, mining, tea plantations, and settlements, capped langur populations become increasingly isolated. Small, disconnected populations face higher risks of inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity, and eventual extinction. In some regions, such as Tinsukia and Sonitpur, populations have already disappeared due to this fragmentation. The collapse of corridors also disrupts daily movement, feeding patterns, and access to mates—placing enormous stress on surviving individuals.

Hybridisation with other species

Due to the rapid degradation of natural habitats, capped langurs are increasingly forming mixed-species groups with the closely related Phayre’s langur (Trachypithecus phayrei). Recent studies in northeast Bangladesh confirm genetically that hybridisation is occurring, which could result in the eventual cyto-nuclear extinction of the capped langur lineage. Although hybridisation can happen naturally, in this case it is being driven by human-induced fragmentation, forcing species into overlapping territories with fewer options for mates. This phenomenon is both a symptom and a driver of their decline, complicating conservation efforts.

Mining, infrastructure, and political conflict

Open-cast coal mining, limestone extraction, and petroleum exploration have all contributed to the destruction of capped langur habitat across Assam and Nagaland. Infrastructure projects, such as highways and border fences, not only destroy habitat directly but also block animal movements and isolate populations. In border regions, armed conflict and territorial skirmishes have already extirpated capped langurs from several reserves, such as the Nambhur and Rengma forests. Weak law enforcement allows habitat destruction to continue unchecked in many regions.

Geographic Range

Capped langurs are found in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura), Bhutan, northwestern Myanmar, and northeastern and central Bangladesh. They occur at elevations from 10 to 3,000 metres across hill forests, riverine reserves, and protected areas. However, their range is now severely fragmented by human development, with some populations disappearing from former strongholds due to mining, conflict, and agricultural encroachment.

Diet

Primarily folivorous, the capped langur’s diet includes mature and young leaves, petioles, seeds, flowers, bamboo shoots, bark, and occasionally caterpillars. They forage on more than 43 plant species, with favourites including banyan (Ficus benghalensis), sacred fig (Ficus religiosa), Terminalia bellerica, and Mallotus philippensis. Seasonal availability influences their feeding patterns, but they consistently prefer fruiting and flowering trees.

Mating and Reproduction

Breeding usually occurs in the dry season, with birthing concentrated between late December and May. The gestation period lasts about 200 days, and the interbirth interval is approximately two years. Only parous females participate in allomothering, allowing new mothers time to forage and recover, a behaviour rare among langurs and considered a form of altruism.

FAQs

How many capped langurs are left in the wild?

Exact numbers are uncertain, but estimates suggest the population in Assam has declined from 39,000 in 1989 to approximately 18,600 between 2008 and 2014 (Choudhury, 2014). This halving reflects habitat loss and increasing fragmentation, particularly in Upper Assam and the Barak Valley.

What is the average lifespan of a capped langur?

While data is limited, langurs of this genus generally live 20–25 years in the wild. Captive lifespans may extend slightly due to the absence of predators and constant food supply, though such conditions often lead to stress.

Why are capped langurs under threat?

Their decline is due to relentless deforestation, palm oil and monoculture plantations, illegal logging, and road-building. Slash-and-burn agriculture and mining also play a major role. Capped langurs are hunted in some regions for meat, pelts, and as pets, particularly in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.

Do capped langurs make good pets?

Absolutely not. Capped langurs are intelligent, social beings that rely on complex forest habitats and close-knit family groups. Removing them from the wild fuels extinction and causes immense trauma. Many die during illegal capture and transport. Keeping them as pets is a selfish act that destroys lives. If you care about capped langurs, never support the exotic pet trade!

What are the major conservation challenges for capped langurs?

The biggest issues are hybridisation with other primate species, habitat fragmentation, palm oil expansion, and human-wildlife conflict. The 2018 study in Satchari National Park found that local attitudes toward conservation vary by occupation, education, and gender, which means education and outreach are crucial. A big challenge is the rise in hybridisation with sympatric Phayre’s langurs, driven by habitat degradation—this poses long-term genetic risks (Ahmed et al., 2024).

Take Action!

Capped langurs are vanishing before our eyes, driven to the brink by out-of-control palm oil expansion, deforestation, and development. You can help save them.

Refuse to buy products made with palm oil. Support indigenous-led conservation in northeast India and the Eastern Himalayas. Demand governments halt the destruction of old-growth forests and restore wildlife corridors. Spread awareness and challenge the illegal wildlife trade. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

Support the Capped Langur by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Ahmed, T., Hasan, S., Nath, S., Biswas, S., et al. (2024). Mixed-Species Groups and Genetically Confirmed Hybridization Between Sympatric Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) and Capped Langur (T. pileatus) in Northeast Bangladesh. International Journal of Primatology, 46(1), 210–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-024-00459-x

Das, J., Chetry, D., Choudhury, A.U., & Bleisch, W. (2020). Trachypithecus pileatus (errata version published in 2021). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22041A196580469. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22041A196580469.en

Hasan, M.A.U., & Neha, S.A. (2018). Group size, composition and conservation challenges of capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) in Satchari National Park, Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339550399

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Capped langur. Retrieved April 6, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capped_langur

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Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

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Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

Keep reading

Mountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque

Keep reading

Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Keep reading

Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

Keep reading

Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii

Keep reading

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

Keep reading

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

#animals #Assam #Bangladesh #Bantrophyhunting #Bhutan #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #CappedLangurTrachypithecusPileatus #deforestation #extinction #ForgottenAnimals #humanWildlifeConflict #hunting #illegalPetTrade #India #langur #Langurs #mining #monkey #monkeys #Myanmar #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #PhayreSLeafMonkeyTrachypithecusPhayrei #poaching #Primate #vegan #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies

Sabah Grizzled #Langurs live in the treetops of #Sabah #Malaysia 🐒🐵🇲🇾 Their main threats are #palmoil and #meat agriculture #deforestation. Help to protect these elegant monkeys when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🔥☠️🤮🧐🙊⛔️#Boycott4Wildlife

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Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur Simias concolor

Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur Simias concolor

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Location: This rare primate is endemic to the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. They are found on Siberut, Sipora, and North and South Pagai, where they inhabit lowland and hill forests in these isolated and fragile ecosystems.

The Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur, also known as the Pig-tailed Langur, is one of the most distinctive and endangered monkeys in the world. These ultra rare and critically endangered small primates are known for their short, upturned noses and unique pig-like tails. Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langurs are critically endangered due to palm oil and timber deforestation, hunting, and habitat fragmentation in their tiny island homes of Siberut, Sipora, and North and South Pagai, Indonesia. Immediate conservation action is necessary to protect the remaining population and their delicate ecosystem from disappearing forever. Fight for them every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/JOfOyb0Okys

Forgotten #primate 🙊🐒 Pig-tailed Snub-nosed #Langur is now critically endangered on tiny islands near #Sumatra #Indonesia 🇮🇩 from #palmoil #deforestation and hunting pressures. Help them survive #BoycottPalmOil 🌴☠️⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/31/pig-tailed-snub-nosed-langur-simias-concolor/

Pig-tailed Snub-nosed #langurs have a cute upturned nose and a pig-like tail. They’re critically #endangered by #palmoil #deforestation and hunting in #Indonesia 🇮🇩🐒 Resist their #extinction! #BoycottPalmOil 🌴☠️⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/31/pig-tailed-snub-nosed-langur-simias-concolor/

Appearance and Behaviour

The Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur is a medium-sized primate with a striking appearance. Their dense, greyish-brown fur contrasts with lighter underparts, and their small, upturned nose gives them a unique and endearing look. Their short, thick tail, resembling that of a pig, is another defining feature (IUCN, 2020).

These langurs are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in the forest canopy. They live in social groups of up to 20 individuals, where they engage in complex communication and social bonding. Their dynamic foraging strategies allow them to adapt to the heterogeneous environments of the Mentawai Islands.

This species is listed as Critically Endangered because a population decline of 80-90% over the last 36 years (three generations) is estimated due to heavy hunting pressure and extensive habitat loss (especially on southern islands but quite significant throughout species range). The Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur is threatened mainly by heavy hunting and commercial logging (Whittaker 2006, Quinten et al. 2014).

IUCN Red List

Diet

The Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur is primarily folivorous, feeding on a variety of leaves, but they also consume fruits, seeds, and flowers when available. This specialised diet ties them closely to their forest environment, making them highly vulnerable to habitat destruction and fragmentation (IUCN, 2020).

Reproduction and Mating

As with many langurs, this species is believed to have a low reproductive rate. Females give birth to a single infant after a long gestation period, and young langurs are raised with the support of the social group. This cooperative behaviour is vital for ensuring the survival of the next generation in their challenging environment.

Geographic Range

The Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur is restricted to the Mentawai Islands, including Siberut, Sipora, and North and South Pagai. These islands are home to diverse but fragile ecosystems, where this species relies on primary and secondary forests for survival. Their limited geographic range makes them highly vulnerable to localised threats (IUCN, 2020).

Threats

They are also threatened by the conversion of rainforest into oil palm plantations, as well as forest clearing and product extraction by local people. Sometimes, animals are taken for the pet trade (Whittaker 2006).

IUCN Red LIST

• Palm oil and timber deforestation: The rapid expansion of out-of-control palm oil plantations, logging, and agricultural activities has resulted in the widespread destruction of the Mentawai Islands’ forests.
• Illegal hunting for bushmeat: The langur is heavily hunted for bushmeat, a significant threat in local communities.
• Habitat Fragmentation: Infrastructure development and forest clearing have fragmented their habitats, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.

Take Action!

Protecting the Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur requires urgent conservation measures to halt deforestation and hunting. By boycotting products containing palm oil, supporting indigenous-led conservation initiatives, and advocating for forest preservation, you can help safeguard this critically endangered primate. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

Conservation

Conservation efforts for these critically endangered small primates is underway. Read more about Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) in Indonesia.

Further Information

Quinten, M, Setiawan, A., Cheyne, S., Traeholt, C. & Whittaker, D. 2020. Simias concolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T20229A17953422. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T20229A17953422.en. Downloaded on 31 January 2021.

Zhao, L., et al. (2024). Dynamic foraging strategy adaptation to heterogeneous environments contributes to social aggregation in snub-nosed monkeys. Zoological Research, 45(1), 39–54. https://doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.047

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Pig-tailed Langur. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig-tailed_langur

GBIF. (n.d.). Simias concolor. Retrieved from https://www.gbif.org/species/4267130

Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Langur Simias concolor

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2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

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Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #CottonHeadedTamarinSaguinusOedipus #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #deforestation #endangered #extinction #Indonesia #langur #Langurs #Mammal #palmoil #Primate #Sumatra #vegan

Sabah Grizzled Langur Presbytis sabana

Sabah Grizzled Langur Presbytis sabana

Red List Status: Endangered

Location: Malaysia (Sabah), Indonesia (North Kalimantan)

This elusive primate lives in lowland, riparian, montane, and evergreen forests of northern Borneo, including protected areas such as the Danum Valley, Tabin Reserve, and the Kinabatangan region.

The Sabah Grizzled Langur Presbytis sabana, also known as the Saban Grizzled #Langur or Crested Grizzled Langur, is a strikingly beautiful leaf #monkey found only in #Borneo. Their #Endangered status is a direct result of extensive habitat destruction caused by deforestation, out-of-control palm oil expansion, and #hunting—particularly for bezoar stones used in traditional medicine. With fragmented populations and little known about their behaviour or numbers, urgent action is needed to prevent their extinction. Use your wallet as a weapon. Avoid #palmoil when you shop and demand an end to wildlife trafficking and forest destruction. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

Sabah Grizzled #Langurs live in the treetops of #Sabah #Malaysia 🐒🐵🇲🇾 Their main threats are #palmoil and #meat agriculture #deforestation. Help to protect these elegant monkeys when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🔥☠️🤮🧐🙊⛔️#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/25/msaban-grizzled-langur-presbytis-sabana/

https://youtu.be/1WtBbVsREJY?si=QhlK8VUIUaMxeHjk

Appearance and Behaviour

The Sabah Grizzled Langur is a captivating primate with a thick coat of grey, grizzled fur and a pale belly, sharply contrasted by black hands and feet. A pointed crown of fur rises from their head, giving them a distinct, almost regal look. Their spade-shaped, pale-pinkish faces are framed by dark rings around wide, expressive eyes—an appearance that makes them instantly memorable to anyone lucky enough to see one.

These langurs are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their lives high in the forest canopy. At night, they retreat to the upper branches of emergent trees to sleep, likely as a defence against predators. They are nimble and versatile movers, walking on all fours, leaping, climbing, and even hanging suspended beneath branches. Their daily lives involve foraging, grooming, resting, and socialising in cohesive groups that typically consist of one dominant male and several adult females with their young.

Diet

Sabah Grizzled Langurs are primarily folivores, feeding on a wide range of leaves, young shoots, and unripe seeds. They also eat fruit, flowers, buds, insects, bird eggs, and mineral-rich mud to supplement their diet. Their complex, multi-chambered stomachs ferment leafy material efficiently, allowing them to extract maximum nutrition from tough plant matter.

The diet of the Sabah Grizzled Langur shifts based on the level of forest disturbance. In undisturbed forests, leaves dominate their intake, but in logged areas, they consume more fruit and seeds. This adaptability may be crucial to their survival in fragmented landscapes.

Reproduction and Mating

This species follows a polygynous mating system, with a single adult male having exclusive breeding access to the females in the group. Breeding appears to occur year-round, but births peak between July and October. After a gestation of five to six months, the female gives birth to a single infant.

Infants are born with paler fur that darkens over time. They are weaned at around 11 months and become subadults between 21 and 36 months. Both males and females leave their natal groups upon reaching sexual maturity at about three years of age, either joining new groups or forming their own.

Geographic Range

Sabah Grizzled Langurs are endemic to the island of Borneo and are found only in Sabah (Malaysia) and northern parts of Indonesian Kalimantan. They inhabit evergreen, lowland, montane, and riverine forests, as well as selectively logged areas and tree plantations. Though once considered a subspecies of Presbytis hosei, they are now recognised as a distinct species. Populations are scattered and fragmented, with some surviving in protected areas like Danum Valley and the Maliau Basin, but others are highly vulnerable to extinction.

Threats

• Palm oil deforestation, monoculture expansion and habitat fragmentation

Large-scale clearing of Borneo’s forests for palm oil plantations has severely reduced the habitat of Presbytis sabana. This deforestation not only destroys the canopy cover they rely on for movement and shelter but also creates isolated forest patches that hinder gene flow and increase vulnerability to inbreeding and local extinction. Even selectively logged areas can remove critical roosting trees and food sources, leading to population collapse over time.

• Hunting for their meat and bezoar stones

Local hunting poses a grave threat to this species. Bezoar stones—calcified objects sometimes found in the gastrointestinal tracts of langurs—are falsely believed to have medicinal properties and fetch high prices in illegal markets. As a result, these langurs are hunted both for meat and for supposed curative use, putting intense pressure on already dwindling populations.

• Lack of enforcement in protected areas

While some populations live in conservation zones, many of these are inadequately protected. Illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment continue within the boundaries of national parks and reserves. Without sufficient monitoring, resources, and community involvement, these areas offer little real safety for the langurs.

• Low reproductive rate and slow population recovery

Like many primates, Sabah Grizzled Langurs have slow reproductive cycles, giving birth to a single infant every one to two years. This low birth rate means that even small increases in mortality can cause long-term population declines. Combined with hunting and habitat loss, this makes recovery especially difficult without urgent conservation action.

Take Action!

The fate of the Sabah Grizzled Langur is partially tied to our consumer choices. Avoid products that contain palm oil, especially those contributing to Bornean deforestation. Never support the exotic animal trade or products made from endangered species. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts and protect Southeast Asia’s remaining rainforests. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Sabah Grizzled Langurs are left?

Exact population numbers are unknown due to a lack of comprehensive surveys, but the IUCN lists them as Endangered and rapidly declining. Fragmentation of their range and localised hunting make many populations highly vulnerable, and some may already be functionally extinct.

What is the lifespan of Presbytis sabana?

While the exact lifespan of Presbytis sabana is not documented, related langurs typically live around 20–25 years in the wild. Infant mortality may be high in disturbed habitats, especially where hunting pressure is intense.

Why are bezoar stones a threat?

Bezoar stones are hard masses found in the intestines of some langurs, falsely believed to have healing powers in traditional medicine. This belief drives illegal hunting, even though scientific evidence shows these stones have no proven medical value. Killing langurs for this purpose is both cruel and contributes directly to their extinction.

How are Sabah Grizzled Langurs affected by palm oil?

Palm oil plantations are a major cause of deforestation in Borneo. These plantations clear vast areas of native forest, severing the canopy corridors that langurs use to travel. Even plantations that claim to be ‘eco-friendly’ contribute to ecosystem collapse by fragmenting habitat and displacing wildlife.

Do Sabah Grizzled Langurs make good pets?

No. These langurs are not suited to captivity and have not been documented in zoos or pet markets. Their specialised diet and social needs cannot be met outside the wild. Keeping langurs as pets is illegal, unethical, and further threatens their survival.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Nijman, V. (2017). Group composition and monandry in grizzled langurs, Presbytis comata, on Java. Folia Primatologica, 88(2), 237–254. https://doi.org/10.1159/000478695

Ramlee, H. (2013). Distribution, ecology and systematics of Presbytis hosei and other leaf monkey species in North Borneo [PhD thesis, Australian National University]. Open Research Repository. https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/items/26fbc1b7-b536-427c-a8d2-62984e69b43e

Setiawan, A. & Traeholt, C. 2020. Presbytis sabana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39810A17987041. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39810A17987041.en. Downloaded on 25 January 2021.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Sabah grizzled langur. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabah_grizzled_langur

Sabah Grizzled Langur Presbytis sabana

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• WordPress
• YouTube
• Mail
• Mastodon

✓ Subscribed

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Agriculture #Bornean #Borneo #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #endangered #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #hunting #Indonesia #Kalimantan #langur #Langurs #Malaysia #Mammal #meat #monkey #palmoil #poachers #poaching #Primate #Sabah #SabahGrizzledLangurPresbytisSabana #SouthEastAsia #vegan