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Gibbons

Gibbons are small, tree-dwelling apes which inhabit tropical and subtropical rainforests in Asia. As apes, they are very closely related to humans.They have incredible agility in the forest tree tops and move by brachial locomotion. In the wild they defend their territory by performing vocal displays (mainly duets) which carry for very long distances. All gibbons are endangered with the main threat coming from habitat loss, as well as hunting.

In Vietnam and China, FFI is working on the conservation of two gibbon species: the eastern black crested gibbon and the western black crested gibbon.

 

The eastern black crested gibbon

The eastern black crested gibbon Nomascus nasutus is the rarest and most Critically Endangered species of ape on the planet. There are only two known populations: the cao vit gibbon in a patch of forest on the China-Vietnam border and the Hainan gibbon on Hainan Island in China. Surveys carried out by FFI have found there to be about 110 cao vit gibbons left in the wild, which is greater than the Hainan gibbons which has recently grown to 17 individuals.

FFI is working across both sides of the China-Vietnam border to protect the cao vit gibbon. The main threat to the gibbons is habitat destruction, so to reduce fuel wood extraction FFI has helped to construct fuel-efficient stoves in local villages and build domestic biogas plants, which use livestock manure to generate gas for cooking. In addition, a local tree species is being cultivated in plantations as a fuel wood substitute. The project also works with local villages to control livestock grazing and reduce their impact on the forest.

FFI provides support to a community-based monitoring group which patrols the core conservation zone of the gibbon’s habitat. This patrol group also carries out awareness raising activities among the local communities.

In 2007, through FFI support, Cao Bang Province in Vietnam established the Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Area to strengthen protection for this species.

FFI has also been supporting conservation of the Hainan gibbon through awareness raising in local schools and beyond.

Download the cao vit gibbon conservation project profile.

The western black crested gibbon

The western black crested gibbon Nomascus concolor is one of the most threatened primates in the world and is Critically Endangered. Surveys performed by FFI have found there to be only around 79 of these gibbons left in Vietnam.

The most significant threat to the western black crested gibbon comes from hunting, although habitat degradation from logging, agricultural encroachment and forest grazing is also a problem. To protect against such threats, FFI supports community patrol groups which protect the gibbon’s habitat and monitor the population.

Cattle fodder trials have been carried out by FFI to reduce the need for forest grazing, along with other sustainable development projects to help find alternative livelihoods for the local people in order to reduce their impact on the forest.

FFI also helps to raise awareness about the gibbon through an environmental education programme in local schools.