Rare golden monkey's life at China world natural heritage site

A Guizhou snub-nosed monkey is seen in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

GUIYANG, April 22, 2025 (Xinhua) -- The rare Guizhou snub-nosed monkey, or Guizhou golden monkey, exclusively nestled within the expanse of Mount Fanjing, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, is under top-level protection in China and is listed as a "critically endangered" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Among the three species of golden snub-nosed monkeys endemic to China, the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey is the one with the smallest population, the narrowest habitat and the least ecological information.

At present, there are nine captive Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys at the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve, according to data from the reserve administration.

A Guizhou snub-nosed monkey is seen in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A Guizhou snub-nosed monkey is seen in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

A keeper interacts with a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A keeper interacts with a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A Guizhou snub-nosed monkey is seen in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A Guizhou snub-nosed monkey is seen in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

A keeper interacts with a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

A keeper interacts with a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A keeper interacts with a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

A Guizhou snub-nosed monkey is seen in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

A drone photo taken on Dec. 27, 2024 shows Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys in Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve of southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo by Li He/Xinhua)

A keeper interacts with a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in a Guizhou snub-nosed monkey research center of Mount Fanjing National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)