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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.
FFI is actively supporting conservation of crested gibbons (Nomascus) in Vietnam, China and Laos. This is the most endangered genus of gibbons and includes some of the world’s rarest primates.
Cao vit gibbon
The cao vit gibbon Nomascus nasutus, also known as the eastern black crested gibbon, is the rarest ape in the world after its closest relative the Hainan gibbon (see below). It is only known from one patch of forest on the China-Vietnam border where an FFI survey team rediscovered it in 2002. Recent surveys have recorded about 110 individuals. FFI’s country programmes in China and Vietnam are working together to protect this population on both sides of the border.
The main threat to the gibbons is habitat destruction from fuel-wood collection and livestock grazing. To reduce fuel-wood extraction FFI has promoted fuel-efficient stoves in local villages and provided some household biogas plants. 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.
Amazing footage of the cao vit gibbons’ acrobatics and recordings of their mesmerising song.
FFI has established and continues to support Vietnamese and Chinese community patrol groups which patrol the gibbon’s habitat, supervised by government forestry officials. In 2007, the Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Area was established in Vietnam to strengthen protection for this species and recently the adjoining forest in China has been established as a nature reserve, so now the whole habitat of the gibbon is formally protected. Habitat restoration now becomes a priority for long-term survival of this species.
Download the cao vit gibbon conservation project profile.
Hainan gibbon
The Hainan gibbon Nomascus Hainanus is the world’s rarest ape, with around 20 individuals in two family groups living on Hainan Island just off the coast of southern China. It is the closest relative of the aforementioned cao vit gibbon. FFI has been implementing an environmental education programme among local schools for several years to raise awareness about protecting the gibbon and more recently has been supporting the nature reserve to directly strengthen protection of this species in its habitat.
Western black crested gibbon
The western black crested gibbon Nomascus concolor is another of the most threatened primates in the world and listed as Critically Endangered. Its range covers northwest Vietnam, Yunnan Province in China and northwest Laos.
In Vietnam, field conservation measures for the gibbon have been on-going for nearly a decade in the Hoang Lien Mountains, where the only populations in Vietnam are known to still persist. Much of the efforts have been focused on supporting local communities and engaging them in collaborative management of the gibbon’s habitat. In Yunnan Province, the stronghold of the species, FFI is coordinating efforts between the nature reserves where the gibbon survives, including surveys and training.
Southern white-cheeked crested gibbons
FFI’s Vietnam Primate Programme team conducted a census of southern white-cheeked crested gibbons in partnership with Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in February 2009.
To download the full census findings in PDF format click here.
Gibbons in Lao PDR
Lao PDR has a high diversity of gibbons and its global importance for gibbon conservation is largely overlooked. The country has six gibbon species, four of the genus Nomascus, and all are listed as either Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. FFI is now collaborating with IUCN to support the Government of Lao PDR prepare a national gibbon conservation action plan in 2010.
Download the 2008 Gibbon Status Review for Lao PDR in PDF
Download a report on a scoping mission to Nam Kan National Protected Area in PDF
“If you value the natural world, if you believe it should be conserved for its own sake as well as for humanity’s, then do please support FFI.” Sir David Attenborough, FFI Vice President. Please support us today.
FFI’s Ecotourism Map of Vietnam map is a colourful and informative guide to the country's spectacular natural composition with photographs of landscapes and endangered species. Buy the map here.
