Grey-shanked Douc, Pygathrix cinerea - Top 25 Most Endangered Primates

Photo � 2007 by Tilo Nadler. Grey-shanked Douc
Pygathrix cinerea Nadler, 1997
Vietnam
(2000, 2002, 2004, 2006)

The colobine monkeys of the genus Pygathrix are native to Indochina. Until only ten years ago, just two distinct taxa were recognized: the red-shanked douc, Pygathrix nemaeus, named by Linnaeus in 1771, in the northern part of Central Vietnam and Central Laos; and the black-shanked douc, P. nigripes, from South Vietnam and east Cambodia, described exactly a century later by Milne-Edwards. The grey-shanked douc was first described as a subspecies of the red-shanked douc, but genetic studies have since demonstrated a divergence at species level. It occurs in Central Vietnam between 13°30' and 16°N, and has been recorded in five provinces: Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, Gia Lai and Binh Dinh.
Currently grey-shanked doucs are known only from Vietnam, but records exist close to the border to Laos, and there are photos of hunted animals from southeast Laos and far northeast Cambodia that suggest that the species occurs in small neighboring areas in both countries. Surveys and research on this recently discovered primate have been conducted by the Frankfurt Zoological Society, led by Tilo Nadler, manager of the Vietnam Primate Conservation Program of Frankfurt Zoological Society and director of the Endangered Primate Rescue Center at Cuc Phuong National Park, and Ha Thang Long, biologist at the Rescue Center.
Grey-shanked douc populations are fragmented and estimated to total 600–700 individuals. Their occurrence has been confirmed in eight protected areas: Song Thanh Nature Reserve, Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Ba To Cultural and Historical Site, An Toan Nature Reserve, Kon Cha Rang Nature Reserve, Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Mom Ray National Park and A Yun Pa Nature Reserve. However, hunting, the principal threat to the species, is still a problem inside these parks and reserves. Snares are the most commonly used method since gun confiscation programs were carried out in a number of the areas. Often hundreds of traps are installed in trees frequently used by the langur groups, as well as on the ground where they are seen crossing between small forest patches. Trapped animals are often severely injured and mutilated. Forest loss within at least part of the species� range is attributable to the expansion of agriculture, illegal logging and firewood collection. Almost 10,000 ha of forest are destroyed every year in the Central Highlands.
The Endangered Primate Rescue Center has received 37 confiscated grey-shanked douc langurs since 1995, and has begun a breeding program to provide stock for reintroduction in protected forests. Based on information from villagers and forest protection authorities, less than one-quarter of the hunted animals are confiscated alive. Ha Thang Long, the biologist of the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, is studying the species in Central Vietnam specifically to provide recommendations for the establishment of special �Species Protection Areas,� which will promote connectivity between the currently isolated populations in the established parks and reserves.

Ha Thang Long & Tilo Nadler

References
Ha Thang Long. 2000. Records of grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Report to Frankfurt Zoological Society, Hanoi.
Ha Thang Long. 2004. Distribution and status of the grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) in Vietnam. In: Conservation of Primates in Vietnam, T. Nadler, U. Streicher and Ha Thang Long (eds.), pp. 52–57. Frankfurt Zoological Society, Hanoi.
Lippold, L. K. and Vu Ngoc Thanh. 2000. The grey-shanked douc langur: Survey results from Tien Phuoc, Quang Nam, Vietnam. Asian Primates 7(1-2): 1–3.
Nadler, T. 1997. A new subspecies of Douc langur, Pygathrix nemaeus cinereus ssp.nov. Zool. Garten (NF) 67(4): 165–176.
Nadler, T., Momberg, F., Nguyen Xuan Dang and Lormee, N. 2003. Vietnam Primate Conservation Status Review 2002. Part 2: Leaf Monkeys, pp.113–143. Fauna & Flora International and Frankfurt Zoological Society, Hanoi.
Pham Nhat. 1993. The distribution and status of the douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) in Vietnam. Asian Primates 3(1-2): 2-3.
Roos, C. and Nadler, T. 2001. Molecular evolution of the douc langurs. Zool. Garten (NF) 71: 1–6.

Suggested citation:
Ha Thang Long & Nadler, T. 2007. Grey-shanked Douc, Pygathrix cinerea Nadler, 1997. In: Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates 2006–2008, R. A. Mittermeier et al. (compilers), p.15-16. Unpublished report, IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG), International Primatological Society (IPS), and Conservation International (CI), Arlington, VA.