San Diego, CA, USA - May 17, 2024

In a momentous occasion at the San Diego Zoo, the Wildlife Care team celebrates the arrival of the first endangered Francois' langur baby in five years, marking a significant triumph for the species' population growth.

The birth, which occurred on the morning of April 12, 2024, brought joy and excitement to the Wildlife Care team as Meili, an 11-year-old Francois' langur, welcomed her newborn offspring. Meili had been under pregnancy observation for several months, and the successful delivery represents a crucial addition to the dwindling population of Francois' langurs.

The vibrant orange infant, whose birth marks the first for the San Diego Zoo since 2019, is in good health, along with its mother, thanks to the attentive care provided by the zoo staff. Meili's gentle nature and the team's established trust allowed for monitoring and confirmation of her pregnancy through abdominal ultrasounds, showcasing the zoo's commitment to innovative animal care practices.

Francois' langurs, native to parts of China and Vietnam, are recognized for their striking orange hair, which darkens as they mature. However, their population faces numerous threats, including hunting, habitat loss, and agricultural expansion, leading to a decline of over 50% in the last four decades.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, known for its global conservation efforts, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Francois' langurs and other endangered species. Through strategic breeding programs and collaboration with conservation partners worldwide, the organization aims to preserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems.

The recent birth adds to the 71 Francois' langurs housed across 16 accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions in the United States, contributing to the species' survival efforts both in human care and in the wild. As Francois' langurs continue to face threats in their natural habitat, each new addition represents a beacon of hope for their future.