Dao Xuan Thuy, director of Chu Mom Ray National Park in Quang Ngai, said on April 21 that a troop of silvered langurs had been captured moving through the forest canopy by the park’s camera trap system.
Thuy said rangers had previously spotted the species, classified in Group IB of critically endangered and rare forest animals, in tall trees within protected areas.
A rare silvered langur troop reappears after years of absence (Photo: Chu Mom Ray National Park).
Since 2016, experts had believed the species to be locally extinct due to its prolonged absence in natural forests. Its reappearance is considered significant for conservation efforts and the restoration of rare genetic resources.
“We are continuing to assess their population size, troop structure and origin to develop appropriate protection plans,” Thuy said.
Silvered langurs have dark grey fur with white tipped hairs, giving them a distinctive silver appearance. They are a primate species native to south-east Asia, now sparsely distributed across the Central Highlands, central Vietnam, the Truong Son range and some southern areas.
Often referred to as agile “athletes”, they are known for their climbing and branch swinging abilities. The species typically inhabits forest canopies or limestone mountains, making sightings rare.
Forest protection staff set up camera traps to track animal species (Photo: Duc Nhat).
With nearly 300 camera traps installed, the park has also recorded other rare species, including gaurs, Asiatic black bears and birds such as the Siamese fireback, red faced partridge and crested argus.
Chu Mom Ray National Park spans more than 56,200 hectares and is home to about 1,000 animal species, including 112 critically endangered and rare species requiring priority protection. It also supports nearly 1,900 plant species, of which 192 are endemic.
