Pig-tailed langur

The pig-tailed langur is a captivating and rare Old World monkey endemic to a few small islands off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. This sizable monkey is diurnal and has a diet consisting of leaves, fruits, and berries. They live in small groups, frequently inhabiting the treetops of the rainforest. Unfortunately, our understanding of their natural history is limited. What little we do know is alarming: they are heavily hunted, leading to a rapid decline in their population.

These monkeys are quite distinctive, with their black-brown fur and notably short tails, which measure around 15 cm. Their long arms make them adept climbers, ideally suited for life in the canopy. They are unique within their subfamily, Colobinae, because of their short tails. The pig-tailed langurs are native to the Mentawai Islands, where they face numerous threats, including habitat destruction, hunting, and capture for the pet trade.

Despite ongoing conservation efforts, the situation for the pig-tailed langur remains dire. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified them as critically endangered, and they are listed among the World's 25 Most Endangered Primates. This underscores the urgency of taking action to protect these unique creatures and ensure they do not vanish forever.