OT Staff
Golden langurs are arboreal primates found in the forests of western Assam and southern Bhutan. They have a golden to cream coat, are herbivorous, and live in social troops.
Golden langurs inhabit moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests in western Assam, India, and southern Bhutan, relying heavily on the upper canopy for shelter and sustenance.
They exhibit a cream to golden coat, with adult males displaying darker flanks. Females and juveniles have lighter, silvery-white to light buff fur.
Golden langurs are arboreal and diurnal, preferring to forage early in the morning and afternoon, and resting during the heat of midday. They are social, living in troops averaging eight individuals.
They are classified as endangered, with a declining population trend. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect their fragmented habitats.
As of 2020–21, India's golden langur population was estimated at 7,396 individuals, reflecting a growth from 6,000 in 2008–09.
Major threats include habitat loss due to deforestation, human encroachment, and fragmentation, leading to isolated populations and reduced genetic diversity.
Considered sacred by local Himalayan communities, the golden langur holds cultural importance, contributing to its protection in certain regions.
Projects like the Golden Langur Conservation Project aim to protect the species within its entire Indian range, focusing on habitat preservation and population monitoring.
Golden langurs are primarily found in Assam, particularly in Manas National Park and Kakoijana Reserve Forest.