The population of the white-headed langur, one of the world's rarest monkeys, has grown significantly over the past decade in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as the government has stepped up efforts to conserve the critically endangered species.

A recent census showed that the number of white-headed monkeys living in the region has grown from 598 in 2003 to 937 at the present time, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the region's forestry department.

The monkey ranks as one of the world's 12 most endangered species due to a sharp population decrease over the past half-century, largely a result of poaching and increased human activity, which has damaged their habitats.

A total of 858 langurs live in a 80-square-km nature reserve set up by the regional government in 2005 to protect the species, the statement said.

The preserve was recently upgraded to a state-level reserve, according to a Monday statement from the State Council, meaning more efforts will be devoted to conserving the species.

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2012)