A Sarawak Forestry Department researcher has managed to record the first-ever video of one of the most elusive primates in the world, the Bornean Banded Langur. 

In sharing the achievement by posting the video on its Facebook page, the department did not state when the researcher managed to get footage of the rare primate – native to only Borneo. However, the video’s date stamp showed it was recorded last month. 

The department said the monkey, scientifically known as “Presbytis chrysomelas”, was listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and only found in the Maludam National Park. However, the one discovered by the researcher was found in the forest of Jemoreng in the Matu area in central Sarawak. 

The monkey is classified among the world’s 25 most endangered primate species. 

Researchers from University Malaysia Sarawak stated that there were documented sightings of the leaf-eating primate across five specific locations in Sarawak: Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, Tanjung Datu National Park, Gunung Pueh National Park, Similajau National Park, and Maludam National Park. 

The state Forestry Department stated that the Bornean Banded Langur was first discovered by someone named Müller in 1838. 

Because it was so elusive, the monkey is an understudied rare primate. 

According to online encyclopaedias, the adult Bornean Banded Langur has a distinctive black coat with bright yellow or golden bands across its back, giving it the name “Banded Langur”. 

Its young may have more silvery coats. 

Adults can reach a length of about 50cm-60cm excluding tails, which can be longer than their bodies. 

The Bornean Banded Langurs are also social animals, usually found in groups. 

These groups vary in size, and often consist of several adult females, their offspring, and a dominant male. – December 8, 2023.