Scientists discover new monkey species in Myanmar – and it’s already going extinct

The Popa langur – named for an extinct volcano that is home to its largest population of 100 individuals – has been around for at least a million years

Throughout its range, the lithe monkey with startling chalk-white rings around its eyes is threatened by hunting and habitat loss

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The newly discovered Popa langur (Trachypithecus popa) is seen on a tree branch on Mount Popa, Myanmar. Photo: German Primate Centre / AFP

Published: 7:05pm, 11 Nov 2020Updated: 10:33pm, 11 Nov 2020

Scientists have identified a new species of primate living in the forests of central Myanmar, a lithe tree-dweller with a mask-like face framed by a shock of unruly grey hair.

The Popa langur – named for an extinct volcano home to its largest population, some 100 individuals – has been around for at least a million years, according to a study detailing the find, published on Wednesday in Zoological Research.

But with only 200 to 250 left in the wild today, experts will recommend that the leaf-eating species be classified as “critically endangered”.

“Just described, the Popa langur is already facing extinction,” said senior author Frank Momberg, a researcher at Flora & Fauna International (FFI), in Yangon.

Throughout its range, the monkey with startling chalk-white rings around its eyes is threatened by hunting and habitat loss, he said in a statement.

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