Authorities in the north-central Vietnamese province of Quang Binh have discovered 22 troops of endangered Francois' langurs near local residential areas and are planning on protecting their habitat.

The Center for Indigenous Knowledge Research and Development (CIRD) on Friday convened a meeting with the People’s Committee in Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Binh Province regarding the discovery of the langurs.

The troops, which consist of a total of 156 Francois' langurs, also known as white side-burned black langurs, were found inhabiting limestone mountains in Dong Hoa, Thach Hoa, and Thuan Hoa Communes in Tuyen Hoa District.

Among them, 12 troops were spotted in Thach Hoa, nine in Dong Hoa, and one in Thuan Hoa.

The herds typically include one male and many females, as well as their offspring, according to the CIRD.

The langurs often appear near local residential areas and farms, the center added.

Francois' langurs are classified as critically endangered in the Red Book of Vietnam and in urgent need of conservation and protection.

This species mainly lives in Quang Binh, while a few other troops have also been recorded in north-central Quang Tri Province.

A small number of Francois' langurs also inhabit the border area between Lao’s Khammouane Province and Vietnam’s Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.

The Tuyen Hoa District administration is coordinating with the CIRD to prepare measures necessary to conserve and protect the langurs.

Local authorities have banned residents from chasing away or hunting the langurs as well as from exploiting local limestone mountains.

They are planning on establishing an ecotourism area that allows visitors to watch the langurs from a safe distance.

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