Khao Kheow Forest & Wildlife Reserve Park douc langur birth

[Chlidonias]

Pattaya Mail - Vol. XVIII No. 38 - Friday September 17 - September 23, 2010 Travel

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s rainbow of colobine Old World Monkeys got a bit brighter when one of the vividly marked douc langurs gave birth last month.

More closely related to the proboscis and snub-nosed monkeys, the so-called langurs consist of three species: red-, black-, and gray-shanked doucs. Taking into account their universally orange faces and white tail sections, the zoo created a “Five Colors” exhibit of the Southeast Asian primate.

The zoo’s Red-Shanked Douc, Chompu (“pink” in Thai) gave birth Aug. 21 after an eight-month pregnancy. As of press time, the gender of the baby still wasn’t known as the mother was protecting its offspring closely. But zoo director Suriya Sangpong was still proud to show off the latest addition to the facility’s prized monkey habitat.

One of the most brightly colored animals in the world, the doucs are rarely seen in Thailand anymore, but still common in other areas of Vietnam and Laos.

The Red-Shanked Douc characteristically has bright maroon legs and reddish patches around the eyes. In contrast, the Gray-Shanked Douc is less vibrant, with speckled gray legs and orange markings on the face. Both have dappled gray bodies, black hands and feet and white cheeks, although the cheek hairs of the Red monkey are much longer. The Black-Shanked Douc has black legs. Their long hind limbs and tail allow these monkeys to be wonderfully agile in their treetop habitat.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Excellent piece of news. Another new holder breeding the very delicate red-shanked douc langur Pygathrix nemaeus.

Any idea where the doucs at Khao Kheow originate from? Wild caught individuals or progeny from the Bangkok Zoo / Singapore Zoo bloodlines?

As I have advocated before it is imperative that S.E. Asia initiate and produce a breeding policy / consortium for endangered langur spp. around the region. However, I do believe that experienced langur maintaining collections outside range (Koeln Zoo, Stuttgart, Basel, Berlin) can play a significant role in ex situ conservation breeding too and provide technical input and financial assistance to regional and in-country conservation programmes in situ.

 

[Chlidonias]

Any idea where the doucs at Khao Kheow originate from? Wild caught individuals or progeny from the Bangkok Zoo / Singapore Zoo bloodlines?

I have no idea but Dusit Zoo (Bangkok) would seem a very good bet

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Chlidonias,

It might just be they are a new bloodline and are in fact wild caught.

I am sure you are aware that sadly wild animal trade is still rife in S.E. Asia ..., so equally it might well be that the zoo was considerate to operate as a rescue facility.

What is most important is a new breeder for doucs ...
Incidentally, not yet reported on ISIS (just Bangkok and Singapore Zoo).

K.B.