Primate Watching
Adult François' Langur
© Niu Kefeng
Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, China
Primatology
Taxonomy & Occurrence
Trachypithecus francoisi is a monotypic species (no subspecies). They are found in mountainous limestone forests in northern Vietnam and southern China (Chongqing, Guangxi, and Guizhou Provinces).
IUCN Conservation Status
Endangered
The species is named after Auguste François (1857–1935), the French Consul at Longzhou County in southern China and the first person to bring this monkey to the attention of Western scientists [1].
Seeing this Species
Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Southwest Guangxi, Guizhou Province, China
Though more studies have been conducted at the two sites listed below, this reserve has about 550 langurs [2]. That's about a third of the remaining global estimate of 1,500 individuals [3]. In the reserve, most langurs live along the river, with a few sleeping sites documented [2]. This incredible paper includes a map of the sleeping sites and even annotations denoting whether or the not the sights are reachable by humans.
Probability of success: ?
Overlapping species: Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Other sites:
Nonggang Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province, China
This nature reserve consists of 3 areas—Nonggang (5,426 ha), Longhu (1,034 ha), and Longshan (3,949 ha). The habitat is characterised as limestone seasonal rain forest, with altitudes of 300–700 m above sea level. Around the research site, small-scale agriculture occurs, and grazing pressure from livestock (cattle) is still high. Two groups of langurs were observed in the northwestern portion of Nonggang [3].
Overlapping species: White-headed Langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus)
Fusui Nature Reserve, Southwest Guangxi, China
Most of the studies describing these langurs occured in Nonggang or Fusui. That noted, a survey between 2000 and 2001 reported that the population density at Fusui declined by a striking 73% [3]. This may not offer such a good opportunity any longer.
There's also a nearby reserve for White-headed Langurs in Bapen Township.
Overlapping species: White-headed Langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus)
Local contacts: Forest Ally, Wellness, Science and Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (Niu Kefeng: newcton@126.com)
References
[1] Beolens B., Watkins M. & Grayson M., 2009. The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals, p.141.
[2] Niu K.F. et al., 2016. Population estimates and distribution of François' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, China. Chinese Journal of Zoology 51(6): 925-938.
[3] Zhou Q.H., Huang C.M., Li, Y.B. & Cai X.W., 2007. Ranging behavior of the Francois langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in the Fusui Nature Reserve, China. Primates 48: 320–323.
Page last updated 3 July 2022