The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is an unusual looking primate that is so rare it was presumed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1989 and is still currently in the top 25 most endangered primates in the world.
This species of monkey is found only in Vietnam and are the countries largest primate. In 2002 an exploratory research team found a group of the rare Tonkin snub-nosed monkey living in an area of limestone forest known as Khau Ca, this discovery was crucial to the survival of the endangered species and a unique chance for scientists to observe and study them in the wild.
As I am sure you are can tell from the photo's from this post, the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey has very unusual and distinctive features that make them almost look like an old cartoon drawing. They have a flat, broad face with markings of blue rings around their eyes, they also have thick pink lips below an upturned nose, giving them their extraordinarily unique appearance.
Source: Wild Life at Risk
During infancy the monkeys are covered in grey fur which turns darker as they age, they also develop an orange colouration of the fur just below their throats. The fully grown adult males can weigh between 13 - 14 kg and the females between 8-9 kg and have a much more slender build than other monkeys from the Rhinopithecus species.
Source: Wild Life at Risk
It is estimated that the entire world's Tonkin snub-nosed monkey population is less than 200! There is a strong community based initiative being undertaken by the Vietnam conservation support program in order to help protect and preserve this highly endangered species before it's too late.
They really are a beautiful animal and it would be a devastating loss to the world if they were to go extinct. Finding an unknown wild population again such as the in 2002 is incredibly unlikely, meaning sadly that they could be lost from this world forever.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading about this incredibly special species of monkey, let me know what you think of them down in the comments.
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