Rebecca has been working at FFI since September 2007. Though she studied conservation in her BA and MSc, she decided that the life in the jungle just wasn't for her. Having grown up in New York City, she has experienced more pigeons and squirrels than parrots and spider monkeys. So she decided to write about the impact that FFI's projects have on the ground.
Her current role as Communications Officer (Business & Biodiversity) has allowed her to focus her energy towards FFI's innovative Business & Biodiversity Programme. Rebecca helps to get the message out about FFI's strategic corporate partnerships and what they have helped to achieve for global biodiversity.
Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has just brought together nature reserve authorities, scientists, government staff and conservationists to develop a five-year action plan for the black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor). The plan will ensure coordinated conservation of the species throughout its known range in Yunnan Province.
There are just 1,500 to 2,000 black crested gibbons remaining in the wild, scattered across Yunnan Province in southern China, northern Vietnam and Lao PDR. FFI has been working for the long-term survival of this species for over a decade.
The action plan meeting was held in the small county town of Jingdong. The town is nestled between the two mountain ranges of Wuliangshan and Ailaoshan, where more than half the global population of this species lives.
Fragmentation and continuing degradation of the gibbon’s habitat were recognized as key threats that need to be addressed. The species belongs to a genus of gibbons that is one of the world’s most threatened primate groups.
Gibbons are a priority area for FFI’s biodiversity conservation work in the Asia-Pacific region, serving as flagship species for the rich biodiversity found there.
1999 – FFI begins work to protect the black crested gibbon at the only location in Vietnam known to have a viable population, located in the Hoanglienson mountains.
2008 – FFI conducts a status review of gibbons in Lao PDR. Download the status review report in PDF.
2008 – FFI establishes a network for conservation of the black crested gibbon throughout Yunnan Province.
2009 – FFI initiates a project with the Lao government and IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) to prepare a national action plan for gibbons, including the black crested gibbon.
2009 and 2010 – FFI organizes gibbon surveys in Yunnan Province including the Ailaoshan mountains, which recorded the world’s largest known sub-population of black crested gibbons.
The black crested gibbon is one of the most northerly ranging non-human apes.
Photo credits: Zhao Chao / FFI
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