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[Josh Greenman <joshg1973 AT yahoo.com>]

"Critically endangered" ash-white monkey found in Bangladesh hills

Mon Nov 24, 11:30 AM ET

DHAKA (AFP) - Aboriginal Bom tribesmen have found a "critically 
endangered" ash-white and owl-eyed monkey in the southeastern 
Bangladesh hills.

The monkey, known locally as "Lajjaboti Banor", weighs about five 
kilograms (11 pounds) and was found at a forest in the Banderban hill 
district, the official BSS news agency said Monday, quoting zoology 
officials.

It had not been for years, officials said, without being able to 
pinpoint when the animal was last sighted.

The monkey's dominant features are big eyes and long black stripes on 
its back. It is very shy and hides its face on seeing humans.

District administration officials have caged the monkey for possible 
transportation to a zoo in Chittagong port city after rescuing it from 
the tribesmen.

"It is a critically endangered species, which moves slowly and usually 
lives in solitude," said Khalilur Rahman, a zoology professor at Dhaka 
University.

He told BSS that the round-headed animal is known scientifically as 
"Nycticebus Coucang" and has a length of up to 40 centimeters (16 
inches).