Rare variety of monkey makes home in Yunnan
Source: Xinhua |
May 17, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE scientists have identified a variety of snub-nosed monkey living in southwestern Yunnan Province, making China home to four of five varieties of the endangered primates.
The species, identified as Rhinopithecus strykeri, was first discovered in Myanmar in 2010, and is known as the Nujiang golden monkey in Chinese, said Long Yongcheng, chief scientist for the China program of the Nature Conservancy.
"The newly discovered snub-nosed monkeys are covered in black fur, weigh 20-30 kilograms, measure 1.2 meters long and bear significant differences from the Yunnan golden monkey," Long said.
Long, also director of the China Primate Specialist Group, said researchers located 50 to 100 such monkeys in March, but more studies are needed on the exact population and habitat.
When the new variety was found in Myanmar, villagers said the monkeys bury their faces between their knees when it rains as rainwater flows into their uncovered nostrils, causing them to sneeze.
Believing that such monkeys also existed near China's border region with Myanmar, scientists combed the mountains of Yunnan and managed to photograph a snub-nosed monkey in the Gaoligong Mountain Natural Reserve in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in October 2011. They videotaped another in March.
Like the giant panda, the monkeys are among China's "national treasures" and are a top priority for protection. Conservationists have said the species is threatened by shrinking habitats and hunters who seek their shiny fur.
"We've put 'Nujiang' in their Chinese name, as we hope it will boost local people's awareness of, and enthusiasm for, protecting the animal," Long said.
Forestry authorities in Nujiang said they have dispatched more forces to monitor and protect the monkeys, as well as to educate local residents on their endangered status.
The species, identified as Rhinopithecus strykeri, was first discovered in Myanmar in 2010, and is known as the Nujiang golden monkey in Chinese, said Long Yongcheng, chief scientist for the China program of the Nature Conservancy.
"The newly discovered snub-nosed monkeys are covered in black fur, weigh 20-30 kilograms, measure 1.2 meters long and bear significant differences from the Yunnan golden monkey," Long said.
Long, also director of the China Primate Specialist Group, said researchers located 50 to 100 such monkeys in March, but more studies are needed on the exact population and habitat.
When the new variety was found in Myanmar, villagers said the monkeys bury their faces between their knees when it rains as rainwater flows into their uncovered nostrils, causing them to sneeze.
Believing that such monkeys also existed near China's border region with Myanmar, scientists combed the mountains of Yunnan and managed to photograph a snub-nosed monkey in the Gaoligong Mountain Natural Reserve in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in October 2011. They videotaped another in March.
Like the giant panda, the monkeys are among China's "national treasures" and are a top priority for protection. Conservationists have said the species is threatened by shrinking habitats and hunters who seek their shiny fur.
"We've put 'Nujiang' in their Chinese name, as we hope it will boost local people's awareness of, and enthusiasm for, protecting the animal," Long said.
Forestry authorities in Nujiang said they have dispatched more forces to monitor and protect the monkeys, as well as to educate local residents on their endangered status.
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