Multiplying monkeys

The reserve also has the world's second-largest distribution area of leaf monkeys, which are born with orange fur that develops into shades of gray and black.

Yang Guangmei, a leaf monkey researcher and a doctoral candidate at Guizhou University, said a team from the university launched a new investigation of the leaf monkey population this year.

The previous investigation in 2016 showed that there are about 195 leaf monkeys in the reserve, while the global population is 1,600 to 1,900, mainly distributed across northern Vietnam and China.

Although the current investigation isn't complete, the number of leaf monkeys in the reserve is expected to exceed 200, Yang said.

The growing number of leaf monkeys in the reserve has resulted in the animals expanding their home range, especially in recent years.

Leaf monkeys mainly eat leaves, fruit and flowers in the morning and afternoon, Yang said. Their eating habits determine the time and range of their activities. "The average range of their activities spans 30 to 50 hectares a year, depending mainly on feeding resources," Yang said.

Researchers surveyed the leaf monkey population in sample areas, or used drones with infrared cameras to trace their activities.

Forest ranger Zhou Renming said the number of leaf monkeys in the reserve has increased in recent years, especially since 2021. "Now I see, about seven to eight leaf monkeys at a time when I'm patrolling. They used to swing through the mountains, but now we sometimes encounter them eating loquats near the foot of the mountains," Zhou said.

"The improved natural environment and fewer human activities in the reserve have contributed to the larger population of leaf monkeys," he said.

The reserve is not open to tourists and young people in the area are moving to urban areas for work, he added.

Spot the simian

Freshman Ye Yixuan was a little disappointed because the research team did not observe a leaf monkey as they had hoped to do before the survey.

The young college students made arduous treks to reach spots where the monkeys were regularly seen. The closest they came was when a forest ranger spotted a leaf monkey on a tree and quickly informed the team.

However, after a 15-minute drive along a mountain road to reach the location, the monkey had already disappeared into the forest. The students lingered for 30 minutes but did not see the monkey.

Although Ye did not observe the monkey herself, she learned about the species from photos and videos taken by the rangers.

"We saw the cliffs and mountains the monkeys inhabit. Maybe a male monkey detected a group of 'outsiders' in their territory and hid the female and young monkeys," Ye joked.

"I hope I can catch these jumping 'elves' in the trees the next time I come to Guizhou," she said.