Endangered white-headed langur population increases to 1,300

NANNING -- The population of China's endangered white-headed langur has increased to around 1,300, according to the white-headed langur national reserve in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The white-headed langur is one of the world's most endangered primate species. In the 1980s, its population dwindled to some 300 due to deforestation, land reclamation and poaching.

Characterized by the white hair on their heads, the animals are found in the karst hills between the Zuojiang and Mingjiang rivers in the city of Chongzuo, Guangxi.

In 2005, a regional-level nature reserve was established in Chongzuo to protect the rare primates. It was upgraded into a national reserve in 2012.

So far, 46.67 hectares of habitat has been restored within the reserve for the benefit of the langurs. An ecological corridor has also been built, along with a botanical garden providing a food source and a remote video monitoring system, helping to solve the problem of habitat fragmentation and assisting with the management and protection of the white-headed langur.