First Baby François Langur Monkey born at Fota Wildlife Park Named

Fota Wildlife Park is delighted that the first-ever baby endangered François langur monkey born in Fota Wildlife Park has been named!

Photo by Lacey Woodcock

Introducing ‘Tang’ who was born on the 22^{nd of} November to mother, Mei and Dad Shinobi. The name, which was suggested a number of times into Fota Wildlife Park’s public naming competition, is inspired by Tangerine, and the baby’s orange colouring. Congratulations to the winning entrant, Ellen Scheunemann from Carrigtwohill, who has won a Conservation Annual Pass to the Park.

While Mei, Shinobi, and baby have been venturing outdoors, the youngster is often visible through the viewing window of their purpose-built house in the Asian Sanctuary, located across from the Lion house viewing area.

Tang, the baby François langur monkey (Trachypithecus françoisi), still stands out with their striking orange against the contrasting black fur of the adults in the group, but already their fur is looking darker. Tang is expected to transition from orange to black over the next few months, which is the natural development of François Langur monkeys.

The François langur monkey is classified as endangered by the IUCN. The mother, Mei, who was born in 2016, and her younger sister Kaili, who was born in 2018, made their journey to Fota Wildlife Park from Twycross Zoo in the UK in September 2022 as part of a European Endangered Breeding Programme (EEP). Joining them shortly after was Shinobi, born in 2016, who arrived from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in the UK in December 2022.

The range of this species extends from Southwestern China to northeastern Vietnam. François’ langur, characterised by its medium size, possesses a sleek coat of black hair. Notably, it features distinctive white sideburns that extend from its ears to the corners of its cheeks.