Scientists have rediscovered a rare monkey species, known as the Miller's Grizzled Langur, which was supposed to be extinct.

A team of international scientists found the monkeys on the island of Borneo, a place that the species was not known to inhabit previously.

The monkey is described as having a black face framed by a fluffy, Dracula-esque white collar, hooded eyes and a pinkish nose and lips.

Not much is known about the monkey which is formally known as Presbytis hosei canicrus and is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The monkeys have become rare mainly due to its habitat loss from jungle fires, hunting, developing mines and extension of agricultural area. Hence an extensive field survey conducted in 2005 turned out to be empty.

It was always believed to inhabit only jungle in the northeast part of Borneo, which is situated next to Indonesia's Java Island.

Discovery of P.h canicrus was a surprise since Wehea Forest lies outside of this monkey's known range, said researcher Brent Loken of Canada's Simon Fraser University.

Concern that the species may have gone extinct was first raised in 2004, and a search for the monkey during another expedition in 2008 supported the assertion that the situation was dire.

The study, which appears in the American Journal of Primatology, says that it is first solid evidence demonstrating that its geographic range extends further than previously thought.

Canada