Popa Langur, a new species of primate was genetically identified from Lodnon museum samples and The new species of Popa Langur becomes the first endemic species of primate in Myanmar. This species mainly can be formed in central place of Myanmar, named Mount Popa and is volcano home to its largest population. Around 100 individuals are surviving into that place.
Scientists and Primatologists from FFI-Myanmar and German Primate Centre jointly conducted primate survey and collected DNA samples throughout the country over the many years, especially in four regions including Mount Popa and some other potential areas. According to result of DNA analysis, Popa Langur emerged as a new species of primate in Myanmar. In the recent, 20 species of primate have been identified in Myanmar.
Popa Mountain Park and sounding areas are crucial habitats for this population, and is being carried out field patrols by park’s staffs to ensure the protection of their habitats. Rachypithecus popa, or T popa for short, has a grey-brownish and white belly, with black hands and wrists that look a bit like gloves. Its agile tail – at nearly a metre – is longer than its body, with the creature weighing about 8kg.
Different Populations of this species can be found in four different regions, are Popa Mountain Park of Mandalay Region, Ywar Ngan Township of Shan State, North Zarmayi Wildlife Sacntuary in Bago Region and Yathae Pyan Mount in Kayin State. With only 200 to 250 individuals left in the wild today, and is already endangered.
Popa Mountain Park and North Zarmayi WS are designated Protected Areas, protection actions are being conducted to ensure habitat prevention by park’s staffs as well as patrolling, investigation, awareness raising and so on. On the other hand, Langur are still facing many threats including urbanization, land clearing, logging, human encroachment and habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.
landscape of Mount Popa A family of Rachypithecus popa
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