Leucistic Langurs and the Allure of the Rare: Conservation Through Spectacle

 

Image courtesy of Kithsiri Ranawana.

In the forests near Lankagama, on the edge of Sri Lanka’s Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a group of purple-faced langurs with leucism, a partial lack of pigment, has become a symbol of how unusual wildlife traits can inspire both cultural fascination and conservation action.

Long rooted in local folklore as ghostly omens, these langurs have recently drawn ecotourists and researchers alike, transforming Lankagama into a conservation hub. This is a rare example of a typically conflict-prone species—monkeys often labeled as crop-raiding pests—being reimagined as ecological and economic assets. The Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle has capitalized on this momentum, establishing a research center and even improving local infrastructure.

This case highlights a broader conservation psychology trend discussed in our course: how human perceptions of wildlife—especially visually distinct individuals—can drastically affect conservation outcomes. As with pandas or tigers, rarity can be leveraged for protection. But it also raises ethical questions. Should conservation depend on what we find beautiful or unusual? What happens to the rest of the population once the novelty wears off?

As primate habitats shrink and human-wildlife conflict increases, stories like that of the white langurs offer both hope and caution. They remind us that conservation must go beyond spectacle—and that sustainable protection of biodiversity often starts with shifting how people see the animals in their own backyards.


Source: https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/in-a-land-where-monkeys-are-seen-as-pests-sri-lankas-white-langurs-are-winning-hearts/


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