Golden snub-nosed monkeys are critically endangered primates of montane forest in central China, highly vulnerable to forest loss and climate change.
Forest logging reduces the tree species that provide food and shelter. Cold exposure when shelter trees are removed causes thermal stress in winter. Isolated populations below critical size face inbreeding depression over time. Disturbance by researchers and tourists causes flight responses wasting energy in cold environments. Climate change is shifting their optimal altitudinal range upward reducing available habitat.