Biology, Ecology, and Conservation of Golden Langur, Trachypithecus geei

Abstract

The Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei is a rare colobine monkey with a very restricted range being confined to Western Assam in India and Bhutan. In Assam, at least 19 fragmented areas now hold the species, which was originally a single habitat. The langur distributed from the subtropical forests of Western Assam to the broadleaf forests of Bhutan. The individuals of Golden Langur in Manas, Ripu, and to some extent Chirang have link among themselves and also with Bhutanese populations, and the remaining populations found in fragmented areas have no link and became isolated. The estimated total population in India is 5600 individuals, and most of the information on this species was available in the form of short-term studies; most of them are about the status and distribution. None of the population was monitored for longer period of time, and the population inhabited both in India and Bhutan are declining. Golden Langur is folivorous in nature and feeds on a variety of food plants. Activity pattern showed a bimodal diurnal activity pattern in feeding with peaks in the morning and evening hours. Golden Langur is threatened by habitat fragmentation. In fragmented areas, they cause considerable damages to food crops. To maintain its populations for the future, long-term and large-scale planning is necessary.