Adorable and rare Raffles’ banded langur monkey sticks out tongue and winks at camera

SINGAPORE — A snowy white Raffles’ banded langur baby was caught on camera winking at photographers before sticking its tongue out in an adorable encounter shared online.

In the attached video, the baby langur curiously looked in the camera’s direction while tucked closely to her mother.

The one-minute clip showed the baby sticking her tongue out and winking at the camera.

“Nature or wildlife photographers will occasionally show a smile or two even as they simultaneously press on the camera shutter button,” explained Facebook page Singapore Wildlife Sightings member Munch Lmc on Friday (Jan 28).

“This usually means that their target in the viewfinder is either awe-inspiring or incredulously funny or both!” said the Facebook user, adding he and fellow photographer Liang Keng were broadly smiling when they caught sight of a Raffles’ banded langur mother and baby.

According to a 2021 National University of Singapore study, Raffles’ banded langurs are critically endangered species, with an estimated 67 left in the wild in Singapore. The sighting of a langur baby is an even more momentous occurrence.

In a Mothership report, the photographer, named Low Muncheng said that he first encountered the baby about two weeks ago while keeping track of three langur families in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

He noted that photographers would look for dark shadows moving through the branches and foliage to catch a glimpse of the rare animals.

“You can see how boisterous the baby is and how the mama is kept busy looking after a baby who at this age does not know she is [seated] 10-storey high,” said Mr Low, describing the langur species that is native to Singapore.

To boost the population of the Raffles’ banded langur, the National Parks Board (NParks) has been working with the community to improve their habitat through reforestation and enrichment plantings.

The Raffles’ Banded Langur Working Group was also formed in 2016 to ensure their long-term conservation.

During an encounter, members of the public are advised to admire the langurs from a distance and refrain from feeding the animals.

“If you see the Raffles’ banded langur, report your sightings and contribute resources or media to NParks to assist in important research and conservation efforts,” said NParks on its website. /TISG

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