An unprecedented birth in Belgium

For the very first time, a golden snub-nosed monkey, one of the rare and protected primates in the world, has been born in Belgium, at Pairi Daiza.

More than just a birth, this is a historic moment for the conservation of this emblematic species, classified as "endangered" by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). This birth is the tangible fruit of a close scientific partnership between Chinese and Belgian breeding institutions, aimed at actively contributing to the preservation of the species.

On 14 May 2025, three golden snub-nosed monkeys - the females Juan Juan and Lu Lu, and the male Liuyun - arrived at Pairi Daiza. Their transfer, quarantine and adaptation were carried out under the joint supervision of European and Chinese teams, in facilities specially designed to reproduce the conditions of their natural habitat.

At dawn on 17 March, this cooperation reached a decisive stage.

“On March 5, we observed sudden changes in Lu Lu’s behavior and appearance, so we immediately arranged round-the-clock monitoring in two shifts. At around 6 a.m. on March 17, video observation reassured us that Lu Lu was calm and moving comfortably. At 7 a.m., she successfully gave birth to a cub in a small indoor wooden shelter. Lu Lu is taking very good care of her newborn and is being highly protective, which has not yet allowed us to determine its sex. At 10:30 a.m., the newborn was successfully nursed. At 11:00 a.m., Lu Lu replenished her energy. Lu Lu is doing very well, her appetite is good, and her overall condition is excellent. The other members of the group, Liuyun and Juan Juan, are very attentive: they are helping to groom and protect the newborn. The small family is cooperating harmoniously.”, Yang Liu, veterinary surgeon.

This birth is one of the important outcomes of international cooperation in golden snub-nosed monkey conservation between China and Belgium and a powerful manifestation of sincere cooperation between the two sides

The aim of this programme is twofold: to increase the population size of of the species and to raise public awareness of its conservation.

Very few institutions in the world today have the opportunity to take part in such a programme. Pairi Daiza is honoured to be one of these rare players, building bridges between Europe and China to protect the most endangered species.

During these crucial early days, the mother and her young are regularly kept out of sight, in an indoor space conducive to calm and maternal bonding.