The veterinarians quickly took the monkey to bath and the baby melted hearts.
The same applies to animals, and even more so to endangered or extinct species. A newborn will mean that their lineage will live on for as long as the child survives, stays healthy, mates and gives birth again. Easier said than done, right?
This is why zoos and other wildlife sanctuaries celebrate and attach great importance to the birth of any endangered species.
Fraçois langur as an endangered species
Langurs are medium-sized primates that prefer to live in the rocks and caves of the tropics and subtropics. François’ langurs are a well-known endangered species found in northeast Vietnam and southwest China.
According to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the population of Fraçois langurs is declining. One of the biggest threats to their numbers is hunting. No wonder birthdays are celebrated like this.
Newborn langur at the Philly Zoo.
The Philadelphia Zoo was delighted to share good news when their Francois langurs were born. Mei-Mei and Chester proudly welcomed their first child, Quý Báu, a Vietnamese “jewel”. He really was so tiny and precious.
However, the zoo noticed that Mei-Mei was not very eager to take care of the baby. They said it was normal but could affect Quý Báu’s health.
The vet will help.
Veterinarians quickly responded to their dire condition as Quý Báu was taken to the hospital for a bath. They also gave him food to give him the nutrients he needed as a child.
The vets slowly brought Quý Báu back to Mei-Mei so that they could form a maternal bond. They also slowly introduced her to Chester. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, along with other organizations, has developed the Langur Species Survival Plan.
They hope to protect the langurs and increase their population.
