OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Zoo welcomed a newborn endangered Asian monkey. The baby male Francois langur is the fourth Asian monkey in the Sanctuary Asia exhibit.
“Every birth is a cause for celebration, but for conservationists, this one is special,” said OKC Zoom Executive Director and CEO Dwight Lawson. “With such a small wild population, it’s all the more important that we raise awareness of Francois langurs and work to preserve the species and their habitat.”
Francois langurs are a species of old world monkeys found primarily in the forests of China and Vietnam. These primates are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Mature Francois langurs’ wild population is between 2,000 and 2,100, which is a near 50% decrease over the last 37 years.
“We are thrilled to welcome a new member to our Francois langur daily. As an endangered species, this birth is incredibly special to the Zoo and our primate team “ said OKC Z oo ’ Curator of Primates Shannon Charles-Ray “We were able to partner with our Zoo veterinary team to closely monitor Pam’s pregnancy via ultrasound, which was a great experience for both team Fera, Pam and Ripley’s first born, is adjusting well to being a big sister and the family group is adjusting so well we couldn’t be happier.”
Pam and Ripley came to the OKC Zoo in 2021 on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Their first born, Fera, only had an orange head when born but the new baby is covered in bright fur…