An adorable bright orange baby has been born at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire - an endangered François’ langur.The birth offers renewed hope for the long-term survival of the species.Unlike adults’ black and white hair, infant François’ langurs are born with an orange coat, an evolutionary adaptation thought to enable parents to easily spot their offspring while they are being looked after by other troop members.The male baby was born to 10-year-old mum Nguyen and nine-year-old dad Wang on the morning of February 1. Whipsnade Zoo’s section manager of primates, Amanda Robinson, said: “Sadly, it’s estimated that only 2,000 of these primates remain in the wild, so every birth is a ray of hope for the species.” Native to China and Vietnam, the species faces threats from illegal hunting, making back-up populations in zoos vital for their survival.
