Phayre's leaf monkeys spotted in Lushi, SW China's Yunnan

Photo captures a tender moment between a baby Phayre's leaf monkey and its parent. (Photo/Zhang Jinkang)

Recently, photography enthusiasts captured images of a group of Phayre's leaf monkeys, showcasing the unique light bluish-gray adults and six infants with golden fur, in the Gaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve in Lushui city, southwest China's Yunnan province.

Zhang Chaojiang, one of the photographers, said he first photographed these monkeys in the same area in early 2021. In March 2022, he encountered the monkeys again, noticing the group had grown to 43 members, including two newborns.

The Phayre's leaf monkey, a species under first-class state protection in China, is known for its infants' distinctive golden fur, which gradually transitions to light bluish-gray within three to four months.

In response to the growing awareness and appreciation of these monkeys, local departments and communities have ramped up science popularization and conservation efforts in recent years. In July 2022, a special fund was allocated to the Lushui management and protection bureau to organize experts and local villagers, who serve as forest rangers, to conduct a comprehensive survey of the Phayre's leaf monkeys.