Phayre’s Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei)

News Context: Rapid habitat loss in North-East India is forcing this typically tree-dwelling (arboreal) monkey to spend more time on the ground, increasing its vulnerability to predators.

• Habitat: Distributed in Tripura, Assam, and Mizoram in India, as well as Bangladesh and Myanmar. It thrives in tropical deciduous and bamboo forests.
• Conservation Status: * IUCN: Endangered.
• CITES: Appendix II.
• Behavioral Change: The transition from arboreal to terrestrial behavior due to "canopy fragmentation" (logging and rubber plantations) is a sign of ecological stress.
• Wholistic Insight: This is an example of Anthropogenic Behavioral Modification. For UPSC, relate this to the Ecological Corridor concept—the need to connect fragmented forest patches to allow safe movement for primates.