Golden snub-nosed monkey

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The sensational new arrival of 2025: golden snub-nosed monkeys!

Beauval, the first park outside Asia to house them in 2025

As the park celebrates its 45th anniversary, Beauval ZooParc is writing a new chapter in its history. In 2025, it becomes the first zoological park in the world outside Asia to present the extraordinary Roxellana snub-nosed monkeys, better known as golden snub-nosed monkeys. A Chinese national treasure, these small primates, with their striking golden-orange coats and distinctive blue faces, are truly one of a kind. China has entrusted them to Beauval ZooParc as part of a conservation and research program dedicated to the species.

Golden snub-nosed monkey – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

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Behind the scenes: Beauval’s baby golden snub-nosed monkeys

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Fall in love with our video featuring the baby golden snub-nosed monkeys!

One of China’s greatest national treasures

China has several animal species recognized as national treasures—rare and iconic animals protected for their cultural, ecological, and scientific importance. Highly revered in China, the golden snub-nosed monkey is considered one of the country’s foremost national treasures alongside the giant panda.

The Roxellana snub-nosed monkey is endemic to the mountainous regions of central-western China along the Tibetan Plateau, particularly in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Hubei, and Shaanxi. It inhabits temperate deciduous and coniferous forests at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,800 meters, where snow cover may persist for up to six months each year. During winter, the monkeys migrate to lower elevations.

ZooParc Beauval is proud to welcome golden snub-nosed monkeys in 2025, a species classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Threatened by habitat loss resulting from agriculture, logging, and tourism, these primates have also been targeted for their fur.

Chinese laws and protected nature reserves help safeguard their habitat, which they share with giant pandas, thereby strengthening conservation efforts. Tourism activities are also carefully regulated to minimize disturbance.

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The golden snub-nosed monkeys at Beauval

Entrusted by China and the Shanghai Wild Animal Park, three golden snub-nosed monkeys have been living at Beauval since 2025 under optimal conditions that ensure their well-being. They are housed in an area specially designed for them near the giant pandas in the Heights of China section of the park.

The group consists of two females and one male.

And in 2026, an exciting surprise arrived: two baby golden snub-nosed monkeys were born just a few weeks apart!

Golden snub-nosed monkey news and updates

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Learn more about the species

Range

Asia

Diet

Herbivore with folivore tendencies
Gestation period

6 to 7 months
Litter size

1 baby
Habitat

Mountains, Forests

Groups can reach up to 600 individuals in summer

The golden snub-nosed monkey is a highly social species that lives in groups led by a dominant male and a harem of several females with their offspring. Groups of bachelor males, typically consisting of 4 to 9 individuals, also exist. During spring and summer, these groups gather into large bands that can number up to 600 individuals. Males cooperate to protect the group, positioning themselves at the front and rear during travel and foraging. When danger threatens, dozens of males will intimidate potential predators and vocalize loudly to protect females and young. In winter, these large bands split into smaller groups, likely due to reduced food availability and possibly because of human disturbance.

Vocalizations without body or facial movements

Golden snub-nosed monkeys possess a rich repertoire of vocalizations that differ between males and females. One fascinating aspect of their communication is the complete absence of accompanying body or facial movements, much like ventriloquists. Thanks to their large nasal cavities, they can produce calls without moving their faces. This is particularly noticeable during whimpers and high-pitched calls, which are often exchanged between males and females while feeding. Group and subgroup chorus vocalizations are also common.

Reproduction: on average, one infant every two years

Golden snub-nosed monkeys have a polygynous mating system, meaning that within a harem, the male mates exclusively with the females of his group. Females reach sexual maturity between 4 and 5 years of age, while males mature at around 7 years old. The mating season extends from August to October, and births occur between March and June following a gestation period of approximately 6 to 7 months. Females generally give birth to a single infant, on average once every two years.