Raffles' banded langur

The Raffles' banded langur, also known as the banded leaf monkey or banded surili, is a distinctive primate species endemic to Singapore and southern Peninsular Malaysia. Recent taxonomic revisions in 2019 and 2020 have elevated what were formerly subspecies to the status of separate species. This taxonomic update has contributed to the Raffles' banded langur being classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, primarily due to habitat loss.

Initially, the species was divided into three subspecies until genetic data prompted a reclassification, recognizing each as an independent species. The Raffles' banded langur was first described by William Charles Linnaeus Martin, with its type locality confirmed by Gerrit Smith Miller in 1934.

These langurs are easily recognizable by their dark fur on the back and sides, contrasted with a striking white band across the chest and inner thighs. They are diurnal and arboreal, thriving in rainforests, particularly those with trees from the Dipterocarpaceae family. Their diet mainly consists of fruits and leaves, and they have specific birth seasons.

As of 2020, the Raffles' banded langur is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated population of just 300-400 individuals. In Singapore, the situation is even more critical, with only about 60 langurs remaining, primarily in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The primary threat to their survival is habitat loss, with less than 200 hectares of primary forest left in Singapore.

Conservation efforts for the Raffles' banded langur include legal protections, ecological research, and potential translocation of individuals from Malaysia. A collaborative conservation initiative between Singapore and Malaysia is in place to help protect this species.

In 2020, researchers observed a group of dusky leaf monkeys in Singapore, likely from Johor, competing with the Raffles' banded langurs for food. This emerging competition underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the langurs and highlights the critical need for continued conservation efforts to ensure their survival.