Tracking the Cat Ba langur
The Cat Ba langur, also known as the golden-headed langur, is an endemic primate species found only in Vietnam’s Cat Ba Archipelago – Hai Phong City. This species has a shiny golden coat, a jet-black face, and a long, graceful tail. Listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam and on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Cat Ba langur is facing a high risk of extinction, with only some 70 individuals remaining. Wishing to help preserve this rare langur species, photographer Vu Lam has spent many years tracking them, despite it being an arduous and challenging journey.
He had to wake up early and travel by boat to the langurs’ habitat to capture these beautiful photographs. These langurs typically live in caves facing the sea in wild regions. They leave their caves very early, which makes it hard to get photos of them while standing on a small rocking boat in the dim light of dawn.
After two years of persevering, Vu Lam recorded many key moments in the lives of Cat Ba langurs. As well as having artistic value, his photographs also contribute to raising public awareness about the protection of this endangered species.
