The Jewel of Da Nang: Kingfishers of Son Tra

Vietnam is one of the most biodiverse countries in Southeast Asia. Many plants and animals live here. Vietnam is home to 25 species of primates, but most of them live deep in the forest and are hard to see. However, just a few minutes from Da Nang, Vietnam's third-largest city, lives one of the most beautiful and endangered monkeys in the world — the red-shanked douc langur.

The Queen of Primates

At sunrise in Son Tra Nature Reserve, red-shanked douc langurs start their day high in the trees. People often call them the "Queen of Primates". They are easy to recognize because of their bright red legs and black-and-white body. This species is endangered and can only be found in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Son Tra Peninsula is one of the most important places left for them to survive.

Social Life and Diet

Red-shanked douc langurs live in family groups. A family usually has one adult male, several females, and their babies. During the day, different families may meet and form larger groups. They eat together and move through the forest together. They are leaf-eating monkeys. Most of their food is leaves, flowers, and fruit. They spend almost all their time in the treetops and rarely come down to the ground.

Life in the Trees

Living high in the trees can be dangerous. A fall can cause serious injury or death. Baby douc langurs hold tightly to their mothers as they move through the branches. Young doucs learn how to climb and jump by playing with their brothers and sisters. Play is very important for learning how to survive in the forest.

Daily Rhythms

Around midday, the families rest in cool and shaded places in the trees. This helps them avoid the strong heat. In central Vietnam, rain can fall at any time, but from September to December, the monsoon season brings heavy rain. This rain helps the forest grow and provides food for wildlife in Son Tra.

A Day's End

After the rain, the douc langurs continue moving through the forest. They use their long tails for balance and can jump up to 5 meters from one tree to another. In the late afternoon, they move more slowly and eat when they can. Before night comes, they look for a safe and familiar tree to sleep in. As the sun sets over Son Tra Nature Reserve, the day ends for one of Vietnam's most iconic and endangered animals.