Footage from a camera trap shows three critically endangered Raffles’ banded langurs. The shy, black-and-white monkeys were using the bridge to cross the dual-lane road as they make their way from one end to the other. Why should we be excited about this news?
The langur is found only in a cluster of forests in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and a number of surrounding buffer forests.
Not the actual photo
The National Parks Board (NParks) built the rope bridge in October 2019 to help animals cross from the vegetation in Thomson Nature Park to the forests in the neighbouring Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
- The sighting is significant as it shows that the arboreal bridge is useful in allowing wildlife to cross safely.
- This connectivity is crucial for this species as it could expand the forested areas the langurs can access to find food and mates.
- There are only 63 Raffles’ banded langurs left in Singapore.
- The genetic make-up of this species – which can also be found in southern Peninsular Malaysia – is distinct enough to be considered a species of its own.
NParks will be installing more rope ladder bridges to enhance connectivity for arboreal animals.
Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said, “Our biodiversity is keeping well, and will still be around for us to visit and admire after we have overcome this pandemic.”
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Source: The Straits Times
