Primatologists recently highlighted a growing concern for the Gee’s Golden Langur, an endangered primate species native to India and Bhutan. Notably, the animal faces rising threats due to habitat destruction and inbreeding. Experts identified electrocution and habitat fragmentation as the two critical issues pushing the species towards extinction.
Getting to Know the Golden Langur
Named Trachypithecus geei in scientific terms, the Golden Langurs are most easily identifiable by the vibrant shades of their fur. These colors change with changing seasons and geographical locations. An interesting aspect of this species is that young langurs bear almost pure white fur – a stark contrast to the golden hue of adults. This primate species has a strong dependence on trees for survival, occupying the upper canopy of forests and known commonly as leaf monkeys.
The Restricted Habitat of the Golden Langur
The Golden Langur has an endemic presence in western Assam, India, and southern Bhutan. Their habitat spans a restricted region bound by four geographical landmarks: the foothills of Bhutan to the north, the Manas river to the east, the Sankosh river to the west, and the Brahmaputra river to the south. Unfortunately, this restriction has boosted the risk of extinction for these primates.
Habitat Fragmentation and Inbreeding: The Silent Threats
Furthering their struggle, the Golden Langur’s habitat in Assam has fragmented significantly over time. This fragmentation mainly results from deforestation and increased rural electrification. Physical obstructions like wires and gaps created due to felling have amplified the threat of inbreeding among the species.
Conservation Efforts and Current Status
Given the grim prospects, numerous conservation efforts have been initiated. In 2011, the Central Zoo Authority in New Delhi entrusted the Assam state zoo with a project dedicated to the conservation breeding of Golden Langur. However, despite these measures, their population saw a drastic decline in Bhutan – a drop of 62% was recorded in 2019 alone compared to the previous decade.
The latest population estimate available for Assam dates back to 2009, recording a population of 5,140 Golden Langurs. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the most recent census could not be completed.
Protection Status and Legal Safeguards
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized the Golden Langur as an endangered species. It is also protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed in Appendix I. Domestically, it forms part of Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, offering it the highest degree of legal protection in India.
Despite all these conservation efforts, the future of the Golden Langur remains uncertain. The accelerating rate of habitat destruction and inbreeding coupled with the lack of recent census data adds to the precariousness of its situation.