Phayre's leaf monkey (Phayre's langur) (Trachypithecus phayrei)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 11052766

Phayre’s leaf monkey is listed as endangered species by IUCN criteria because its population is at risk of becoming extinct or threatened by anthropogenic activities. Hunting stress and habitat loss are main causes for population decline. It is also listed as CITES Appendix II species in order to control the illegal trade in the region. Again it is given priority in national legislation i.e. Protection of Wildlife and Conservation of Natural Areas Law (1994) as ‘completely protected animals’. No one is permitted to hunt this species according to the law.

Phayre’s leaf monkey is confined to Asia countries namely India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam. Its range is very limited and habitats are also threatened due to human interferences. This species is primarily arboreal and prefers semi-evergreen forest, mixed moist deciduous forest. It is folivore and mainly consumes leaves, fruits, barks and sometimes flowers and petioles. Habitat quality therefore is quite important in determining long term survival of Phayre’s leaf monkey. Food abundance, spatial characteristics of forests and human disturbance may have large influence on the distribution and abundance of Phayre’s leaf monkey population.

The aim of this project is to document the status and distribution of Phayre’s Leaf Monkey at one protected area in Myanmar in order to raise public awareness and set up an effective conservation program for this species.