Monkeys in Laos: a primate paradise -

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If you’re planning to travel to Laos, you’re probably interested in the wildlife there. In that case we have good news, while some species like leopards are very rare, there are still a lot of monkeys to be found in the wild. The monkey you can see in the picture above is a crab-eating macaque, also known as the long-tailed macaque. Those monkeys used to be very common throughout all Southeast Asia, and Laos is no exception. Now due to deforestation, hunting and other human activities they‘re endangered, but we still had the chance to see them in their natural habitat. In this article, we will answer all of your questions regarding monkeys in Laos.

What monkeys live in Laos?

By now, there are a total of 16 monkey species confirmed in Laos, and all of them are endangered to some extent. Nevertheless, the primate diversity is remarkable. There are different species of colobines, macaques, and gibbons. Macaques are the most widespread and adapted to the environment. If you’re planning to spot gibbons in the wild, you might have a hard time, since they’re shy and therefore elusive. The chance to hear them singing is significantly higher. After all, gibbons are known for their distinctive calls.

The tables below show all the monkeys that you can find in Laos:

		Macaques
Name	Latin Name	Conservation Status (IUCN)	Diet	Distribution
Assamese macaque	Macaca assamensis	Near Threatened	Omnivorous	Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam
Crab-eating macaque	Macaca fascicularis	Endangered	Omnivorous	Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Northern pig-tailed macaque	Macaca leonina	Vulnerable	Frugivorous	Bangladesh, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Rhesus macaque	Macaca mulatta	Least Concern	Omnivorous	Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam
Stump-tailed macaque	Macaca arctoides	Vulnerable	Omnivorous	Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

		Langurs
Name	Latin Name	Conservation Status (IUCN)	Diet	Distribution
Hatinh langur	Trachypithecus hatinhensis	Endangered	Folivorous	Laos, Vietnam
Laotian langur	Trachypithecus laotum	Endangered	Folivorous	Laos
Indochinese silvered langur	Trachypithecus germaini	Endangered	Folivorous	Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Phayre’s langur	Trachypithecus phayrei	Endangered	Folivorous	Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Red-shanked douc monkey	Pygathrix nemaeus	Critically Endangered	Folivorous	Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam

		Gibbons
Name	Latin Name	Conservation Status (IUCN)	Diet	Distribution
Black crested gibbon	Nomascus concolor	Critically Endangered	Omnivorous	Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Northern white cheeked gibbon	Nomascus leucogenys	Critically Endangered	Frugivorous	Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Pileated gibbon	Hylobates pileatus	Endangered	Frugivorous	Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
Southern white cheeked gibbon	Nomascus siki	Critically Endangered	Frugivorous	Cambodia, Vietnam
Yellow-cheeked gibbon	Nomascus gabriellae	Endangered	Frugivorous	Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
White handed gibbon	Hylobates lar	Endangered	Frugivorous	Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

Almost all the monkeys found in Laos also live in other Southeast
Asian countries like Cambodia, Thailand or Vietnam. An exception is
the Lao langur. As the name suggests, the Lao langur is a species
endemic to Laos.

Where can I see monkeys in Laos?

If you really want to see monkeys in Laos, you have some options. The easiest one is of course visiting a zoo, but you will be disappointed, since as far as we know even the Lao Zoo not far from the capital city of Vientiane had to close due to financial difficulties. Anyway, there are three other options:

Monkey Forest Savannakhet

The Monkey Forest is kind of a holy forest with lots of monkeys. That‘s why you’re going to see a lot of monks, shrines and temples around there. It is located near Savannakhet one of the historical cities in Laos. Even the Monkey Forest is a tourist attraction, the monkeys are free and roam around as they please. Occassionally they‘ll get fed by the monks living nearby. You, on the other hand, should avoid feeding or even touching them. There‘s a good reason for that, and we’ll explain it to you later.

National Parks

The national parks in Laos cover a wide area. In total, there are 20 national parks, and they make up around 14 % of the country. These wild areas are protected by the Lao government and contain one of the most biodiverse floras and faunas of the world. They‘re a great place for jungle trekking, but you should be aware that you may easily get lost. Because of that, we recommend hiring a local guide. A local guide will also know how and where to find monkeys. Some of the most well-known national parks in Laos are Don Amphan, Him Namno and Phou Khao Khouay.

The Gibbon Experience

The Gibbon Experience is one of the best examples of successful ecotourism. Even there‘s no guarantee you’ll end up seeing gibbons, you’re definitely going to have a great time. What distinguishes it from other experiences is that you‘ll immerse yourself in nature in an incredible way. Are you ready to stay in treehouses above the forest floor? Especially in the night, that’s a truly magical experience. You’re going to listen to all kinds of sounds, including wildlife like gibbons. Just be ready for a lot of pesky insects, since you’re surrounded by nature.

Why can't I touch or feed monkeys?

Seeing monkeys for the first time is a very exciting experience and while they may look cute, you should never forget, that they’re wild animals and potentially dangerous. Therefore, you should never try to touch or feed them. During our travels to Laos, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries we often saw tourists approachin monkeys and in many cases the monkeys reacted aggessively. When interacting with monkeys in Laos there are a few tips to follow:

Always maintain a safe distance, especially when around bigger species.
Don't disrupt the natural behavior of the monkeys by feeding or touching them.
Avoid prolonged eye contact, since the monkeys might see you as a threat.
Keep your personal belongings safe. They might even steal your phone.
If you're bitten or scratched, seek medical help immediately.

Not just the bigger monkeys in Laos can be potentially dangerous. Also, the smaller ones pose a significant risk, especially if you get bitten. The problem is, that monkeys might carry all kinds of diseases. There’s even a serious risk of rabies. Even a small scratch can be problematic and you should seek medical help immediately. But don’t worry, most tourists have a great experience with the monkeys in Laos. Just behave appropriate and you should be fine.

How can I support the monkeys in Laos?

You like monkeys and would like to support them? The best way of doing that is by participating in responsible ecotourism initiatives. There are many options to enjoy monkeys in their natural habitat, while contributing to their protection. One of the best examples is the Gibbon Experience. If you’re lucky, you might encounter gibbons and even if not, you’ll definitely have a memorable adventure and a good conscience knowing your visit supports their conservation.