KUNMING－The number of Phayre's leaf monkeys, also known as Phayre's langurs, an endangered species, has been rising steadily in Southwest China's Yunnan province.

Photographers recently pictured several baby Phayre's leaf monkeys in the city of Mangshi. About 70 of the rare langurs were also captured foraging in the forest of Xuangang township.

"Mother langurs started to give birth at the beginning of this year, and so far we have spotted 11 baby langurs," says Huang Qibang, a local forest ranger, adding that several pregnant langurs have also been seen in the region.

Leaf monkeys are classified as a first-class State-protected wild animal in China. At least 320 Phayre's langurs inhabit the Xuangang township, according to research by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2018.

Xinhua