This endemic primate is Sri Lanka's most elegant and probably most endangered monkey. There are four subspecies all of which are endangered: the South-lowland Wet Zone subspecies (Trachypithecus vetulus vetulus); the Dry zone subspecies (Trachypithecus vetulus philbricki); the highly range-restricted North Wet zone subspecies (Trachypithecus vetulus nestor) which is confined to a few small forest enclaves on the edge of Colombo; and the long-haired Highland subspecies -usually referred to as the Bear Monkey (Trachypithecus vetulus monticola).