Mammals
Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey
Rhinopithecus avunculus · also called Dollman's snub-nosed monkey
On a steep limestone slope in northern Vietnam, a black-and-white Tonkin snub-nosed monkey sits among the leaves, its upturned pale face one of the rarest sights in primate conservation.
Overview
The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus avunculus, is a Critically Endangered monkey found only in a few small areas of northern Vietnam. Its upturned nose, black-and-white coat, and tiny remaining population make it one of the world’s most threatened primates.
A monkey on the edge
With perhaps only a couple of hundred animals left, every protected forest patch matters to the survival of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey.
Status
Critically Endangered, with a decreasing population.
Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey: common questions
Why is it called a snub-nosed monkey?
It has a flattened, upturned nose with no bridge, which gave the group its name.
Where does the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey live?
It lives in steep, forested limestone hills in northern Vietnam.
How many Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys are left?
Only a small number survive, with a couple of hundred animals at most, in a handful of populations.
Why is the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey critically endangered?
It has been hit by hunting and by the clearing of forest for farming and other uses.