A newborn lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) made her public debut on January 8 at Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park's "animal kindergarten," drawing visitors' attention to both her playful antics and the conservation challenges facing her species. The female infant, named "Changchang," was born on August 18, 2025, and is in good health under the caretakers' supervision.
Changchang has become a star attraction, often seen climbing structures or curiously peeking out from her enclosure. Her name, a homophone for "long" in Chinese, references her relatively longer tail and playful nature. She was moved to the nursery after her mother could not nurse her and sustained a minor leg injury. Currently bottle-fed, she is expected to transition to fruits in six to seven months before gradually joining the park's main troop.
Lion-tailed macaques are among the world's rarest primates, with only about 2,500 remaining in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Recognized under Appendix I of CITES, they are distinguished by their lion-like tails and compact size. Chimelong has housed the species since 1997 and now cares for 12 individuals, including five successfully bred offspring. The park mimics their native rainforest habitat and provides a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Panyu Converged Media Center
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
