SINGAPORE – Wildlife lovers will soon be able to observe one of the world’s rarest monkeys, the Francois langur, for the first time in Singapore at Rainforest Wild Asia, which opens in March 2025.

The monkey, native to China and Vietnam, is listed as endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a conservation group.

There are only about 2,000 of these monkeys left in the wild, according to a BBC report from 2024.

Mandai Wildlife Group said on November 7 that Rainforest Wild Asia would be the new home of Singapore’s Francois langur and the endangered Philippine spotted deer, which is among the park’s 29 animal species.

The fifth Mandai Wildlife Park will also have 7,000 Southeast Asian trees and shrubs planted to complement existing protected patches of rainforest.

The size of the park – around 32 football fields – will allow tigers, sun bears, tapirs and gregarious langurs to roam habitats such as rainforests and caves.

Managing Director of Mandai Wildlife Group, Mr Mike Barclay, said the 10 different areas of the park will offer visitors different levels of adventure while exploring the immersive rainforest setting.

They could stroll along wheelchair-friendly walkways, explore forest trails closer to the ground or climb higher up near the canopy where they can climb, jump and rappel with safety harnesses.

“This immersive design gives our guests the chance to observe how different animals thrive in distinct rainforest settings. Most importantly, we hope to create a strong sense of connection with nature and a renewed determination to cherish and protect our planet,” he added.