Bright orange baby François’ langur born at Whipsnade Zoo
The new arrival offers hope for endangered species’ future.
Whipsnade Zoo has celebrated the birth of a bright orange François’ langur, bringing renewed optimism for the long-term survival of this endangered species.
The baby langur, born on the morning of 1st February to 10-year-old Nguyen and nine-year-old Wang, is a part of the international conservation breeding programme aimed at increasing the population of François’ langurs, which currently face threats in the wild.
Amanda Robinson, section manager of primates at Whipsnade Zoo, shared the excitement surrounding the new arrival, saying they were alerted by a visitor who spotted the distinctively colored infant. Amanda said, "We’re delighted to have a baby François’ langur in our troop at Whipsnade."
The langur's vivid orange coloring is thought to help parents identify their infants when cared for by other troop members.
With only around 2000 individuals in the wild, each birth significantly impacts the conservation efforts for François’ langurs.
The species, native to China and northern Vietnam, suffers due to illegal hunting for meat and traditional medicine, making zoo-born populations crucial for the species' survival.
Nguyen is an experienced mother, having given birth previously in 2024 to male Bao.
Amanda noted the strong bond Nguyen is developing with her newborn, keeping him close and encouraging suckling.
François’ langurs live in matriarchal groups, where females lead and engage in shared infant care, fostering strong social ties and teaching older siblings vital skills.
The charity behind Whipsnade Zoo, ZSL, combats illegal wildlife trade globally, including significant efforts in Thailand, a major transport hub for such activities in Southeast Asia.
Visitors are encouraged to see the baby langur while his vivid orange fur remains, as it will eventually fade to black.