London (PTI): In what could ignite fresh hopes for the species' survival, researchers have discovered a new population of one of the world's rarest monkeys in the remote forests of northern Vietnam.
In fact, the extremely rare Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, so-called due to its unusual and distinctive up-turned nose, dwindled to the brink of extinction because of loss of habitat and hunting by humans. And, in the 1980s, it was even believed to be extinct.
Now, a team at Fauna and Flora International has made the discovery of the new colony of 20 monkeys, including young species, in a remote forested area of Vietnam.
"All recent indications suggest we have a fantastic opportunity to secure this population and significantly increase the chances of survival of this species. Most significant is all the excitement this has generated locally and the support that is coming from the local Vietnamese government agencies and Caritas Switzerland.
"With almost half the world's primate species under threat from extinction, we must do everything we can," Paul Insua-Cao, who led the team, was quoted by leading British newspaper 'The Daily Telegraph' as saying.
According to the researchers, the monkeys were more wary of people issuing warning signs to each other, suggesting they may be the target of hunters.
"When I saw the Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys... I was overjoyed. There is still time to save this unique species, but with just 200 or so left and threats still strong, we need to act now," team member Quan Ba said.
In interviews with the researchers, villagers near the border between Vietnam and China indicated that there could be another larger group of the moneys in the nearby forests.
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