That's enough monkeying around for one day! Wild golden monkeys take a break by the river at Chinese nature reserve

By ROB PREECE

Time for a rest: Wild golden monkeys have a frolic on the riverside at the Shennongjia Nature Reserve in China

After a day of swinging from branches and looking for food, it's time for a well-earned rest for these monkeys.
The golden snub-nosed monkeys were photographed taking a break by a river at a Chinese nature reserve.
But while they may look cute posing for pictures, the future of their species is under threat as habitats disappear.
These monkeys were spotted at the Shennongjia Nature Reserve in China's Hubei Province, where more than 1,300 of the animals live.

Facing extinction: The monkeys may look cute, but the future of their species is under threat

Golden monkeys were first seen in the area in the 1960s, but efforts to protect them have been stepped up as the species is on the verge of extinction.
The work seems to be paying off - survival rates for new-born monkeys on the reserve can exceed 95 per cent.

Adorable: A monkey stares at the camera while gripping a person's arm at the nature reserve

The monkeys mostly eat lichens and also enjoy leaves, fruits, seeds, buds, herbs, bark, and flowers.
But supplies of tasty lichens are dwindling as dead trees are harvested, impacting on monkeys' food availability and habitats.

Star attraction: This monkey, photographed by tourists, is one of more than 1,300 living at Shennongjia

source: dailymail