DOCSLIB.ORG

Effects the Illegal Pet Trade Has on White-Handed Gibbons' Behavioral Health and Successful Rehabilitation Shalana Jo Gray University of Colorado Boulder

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Effects the Illegal Pet Trade Has on White-Handed Gibbons' Behavioral Health and Successful Rehabilitation Shalana Jo Gray University of Colorado Boulder University of Colorado, Boulder CU Scholar Undergraduate Honors Theses Honors Program Spring 2012 Conservation Difficulties for Hylobates lar: Effects the Illegal Pet Trade has on White-Handed Gibbons' Behavioral Health and Successful Rehabilitation Shalana Jo Gray University of Colorado Boulder Follow this and additional works at: http://scholar.colorado.edu/honr_theses Recommended Citation Gray, Shalana Jo, "Conservation Difficulties for Hylobates lar: Effects the Illegal Pet Trade has on White-Handed Gibbons' Behavioral Health and Successful Rehabilitation" (2012). Undergraduate Honors Theses. Paper 238. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Honors Program at CU Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Undergraduate Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of CU Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Conservation Difficulties for Hylobates lar: Effects the Illegal Pet Trade has on White-Handed Gibbons’ Behavioral Health and Successful Rehabilitation Shalana Jo Gray Department of Anthropology Primary Thesis Advisor Herbert Covert, Department of Anthropology Committee Members Dennis Van Gerven, Department of Anthropology James Loudon, Department of Anthropology Joseph Berta, Department of Psychology University of Colorado at Boulder May 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………….. iii LIST OF FIGURES…………………………………………………………………………….. iv LIST OF TABLES..…………………………………………………………………………….. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………………………….. vi CHAPTERS 1 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………....….…. 1 Study Site: The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project………………………………...…..... 4 A Brief Excursion into Animal Welfare…………...………………………….…...... 6 Understanding Gibbon Behavior through an Evolutionary Paradigm……………..... 8 A Brief History of Gibbon Research……………………………………………….... 9 What is a White-Handed Gibbon?………………………………………………….. 11 Conservation Status……………………………………………………………….... 16 2 THAILAND’S ILLEGAL PET TRADE……………………………………………….. 18 Prevalence and Visibility on the Streets and in Social Media…………………….... 20 Conditions Upon Rescue…………………………………………………………… 24 Implications……………………………………………………………………….... 27 3 PRIMATE SOCIALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT………………………...……. 28 Juvenile Periods, Learning and Behavioral Flexibility…………………………….. 28 Exploration and Play……………………………………………………………….. 30 Sociobiological Conceptualizations of Primate Development and Behavior……… 33 Are Pet Gibbons Deprived of a Normal Juvenile Period?......................................... 36 4 CONSEQUENCES OF A DEPRIVED REARING ENVIRONMENT……………….. 37 Maternal Separation and Social Deprivation………………………………............ 38 Unusual Behavior in Captive Conditions………………………………………….. 41 Can Abnormal Behaviors be Alleviated or Reversed? ………………………….… 44 Gibbon Enrichment Opportunities………………………………………………..... 46 5 CASE STUDIES FROM THE GIBBON REHABILITATION PROJECT……..…….. 50 Sam……………………………………………………………………………...…. 52 i Sumlee………………………………………………………………………........ 54 Endoo………………………………………………………………………….…. 55 Rumthai……………………………………………………………………….….. 56 Joy…………………………………………………………………………….….. 57 Jep…………………………………………………………………………….….. 58 Bo……………………………………………………………………………….... 59 Nuan, Max, Maesa, and Emily………………………………………………,...… 60 Jane…………………………………………………………………………….…. 62 O……………………………………………………………………………….…. 62 Phi Phi and Crystal…………………………………………………………….…. 63 Jojo and Mee………………………………………………………………….….. 64 Songkran……………………………………………………………………….… 65 Thongkum and Lumduan……………………………………………………….... 66 Cop, Jorn and Sherpa………………………………………………………….…. 67 6 REINTRODUCED GIBBON GROUPS…………………………………………….. 69 The Reintroduction Site………………………………………………………….. 70 Unsuccessfully Released Groups……………………………………………….... 71 Successfully Released Groups………………………………………………...…. 72 Activity Budgets and Habitat Utilization………………………………………... 79 7 DISCUSSION.……………………………………………………………………..… 82 Behavioral Effects Seen at the Rehabilitation Site………………………………. 83 How Many Gibbons in the Pet Trade Undergo Deprived Conditions?.……..…... 90 Can the Behavior be Modified?.………………………………………………….. 91 Behavioral Patterns After Reintroduction………………………………………... 95 Limitations.………………………………………………………………………. 97 8 CONCLUSIONS.………………………………………………………………..….. 100 REFERENCES CITED……………………………………………………………………... 102 APPENDIX………………………………………………………………………………… 119 ii ABSTRACT White-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) are currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and wild populations are rapidly declining. In Thailand, the primary threat to this species is hunting for the purpose of capturing infants for the illegal pet trade. During their time in the pet trade, gibbons may be used as a tourist attraction and photographic prop. Some are relatively well cared for while others are reared in abusive conditions with no conspecific contact. In order to determine what effects the illegal pet trade has on white-handed gibbons' behavioral health and rehabilitation prospects, I analyze the behavior of numerous individual gibbons currently housed at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) in Phuket, Thailand. I also analyze the behavior of reintroduced gibbons. Results show that gibbons in the pet trade exhibit a variety of abnormal behaviors that correspond to those of deprived captive and laboratory primates. Some aberrancies cannot be modified later in life and many individuals will never be released. Other aberrancies are more easily alleviated and numerous gibbon groups have been successfully reintroduced into the Khao Phra Theaw Non-Hunting Area. Some important factors to rehabilitation success are age upon arrival and a rearing environment with conspecifics. However, reintroduced gibbon behavior differs from wild gibbon behavior in ways that affect immediate safety. In order for reintroduction programs to be successful, conservation initiatives must address multiple interrelated aspects including education, law enforcement, habitat protection, and economic alternatives. iii LIST OF FIGURES 0.0 Cover photo: Emily, a three-month-old infant born at GRP 2.1 Tourist with two gibbons as a photographic prop………………………………………. 21 2.2 Tam, a physically disabled subadult gibbon……………………………………………. 26 5.1 Sam………………………………………………………………………………...…… 52 5.2 Sumlee………………………………………………………………………………….. 54 5.3 Endoo…………………………………………………………………………………… 55 5.4 Rumthai…………………………………………………………………………………. 56 5.5 Joy………………………………………………………………………………………. 57 5.6 Jep………………………………………………………………………………………. 58 5.7 Bo……………………………………………………………………………………….. 59 5.8 Nuan, Max, Maesa, and Emily…………………………………………………………. 60 5.9 Jane……………………………………………………………………………………... 62 5.10 O………………………………………………………………………………………... 62 5.11 Phi Phi and Crystal ventral clinging……………………………………………………. 63 5.12 Jojo and Mee, a pair bond formed at GRP…………………………………………….... 64 5.13 Songkran………………………………………………………………………………... 65 5.14 Thongkum and Lumduan……………………………………………………………….. 66 5.15 Jorn, Cop and Sherpa; family unit to be released in 2012………………………….…... 67 6.1 Reintroduced gibbons descend to the forest floor more often than wild gibbons….…... 81 7.1 Infants born at the rehabilitation site interact with one another daily………………….. 94 B.1 Social relationships of gibbons reintroduced into Khao Phra Theaw……………….... 131 B.2 Monogamous relationships of gibbons reintroduced into Khao Phra Theaw………… 131 iv LIST OF TABLES 6.1 Gibbon groups unsuccessfully released into Khao Phra Theaw………………………... 71 6.2 Infant gibbons unsuccessfully reared in Khao Phra Theaw…………………………….. 72 6.3 Gibbon groups currently living in Khao Phra Theaw…………………………………... 73 6.4 Average yearly activity budgets of reintroduced white-handed gibbons at Khao Phra Theaw and wild white-handed gibbons at Khao Yai………………………………….... 80 6.5 Canopy heights utilized by the Kip group while feeding on GRP supplemental fruits during the first year after release……………………………………………………….. 80 6.6 Canopy heights utilized by the Kip group while feeding on wild resources during the first year after release…………………………………………………………………… 80 A.1 Brief descriptions of GRP Gibbons….………………………………………………... 120 v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor Bert Covert for his guidance, support, insight, motivation, inspiration, and immense knowledge. I would also like to thank the rest of my defense committee: James Loudon, Dennis Van Gerven and Joseph Berta for inspiring in me a true love for learning and an unwavering passion for our close primate cousins. My sincere thanks also go out to Doug Bamforth for his guidance throughout the year. I would also like to recognize the other anthropology Honors students and my roommate Sarah, all of whom underwent this process alongside me. I could not have completed this without the supportive environment they provided. I owe my deepest gratitude to the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project for giving me the opportunity to become involved in a life changing volunteer experience and for inspiring me to pursue this thesis. I am forever indebted to GRP for all of the data and information they provided. I want to personally thank Owart Maprang for his communication and patience during my research process as well as Mon Samphanthamit for allowing me to utilize his stunning photography in my thesis. I would also like to thank Sawang Thongdee for his guidance during my stay in Thailand. Finally, I want to thank my wonderful family— my father Stan, my mother Paige and my big sister Shoshana— for their love, support and care throughout my life and all of my endeavors. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. vi CHAPTER
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Gibbon Journal Nr
    Gibbon Journal Nr. 5 – May 2009 Gibbon Conservation Alliance ii Gibbon Journal Nr. 5 – 2009 Impressum Gibbon Journal 5, May 2009 ISSN 1661-707X Publisher: Gibbon Conservation Alliance, Zürich, Switzerland http://www.gibbonconservation.org Editor: Thomas Geissmann, Anthropological Institute, University Zürich-Irchel, Universitätstrasse 190, CH–8057 Zürich, Switzerland. E-mail: [email protected] Editorial Assistants: Natasha Arora and Andrea von Allmen Cover legend Western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), adult female, Yangon Zoo, Myanmar, 22 Nov. 2008. Photo: Thomas Geissmann. – Westlicher Hulock (Hoolock hoolock), erwachsenes Weibchen, Yangon Zoo, Myanmar, 22. Nov. 2008. Foto: Thomas Geissmann. ©2009 Gibbon Conservation Alliance, Switzerland, www.gibbonconservation.org Gibbon Journal Nr. 5 – 2009 iii GCA Contents / Inhalt Impressum......................................................................................................................................................................... i Instructions for authors................................................................................................................................................... iv Gabriella’s gibbon Simon M. Cutting .................................................................................................................................................1 Hoolock gibbon and biodiversity survey and training in southern Rakhine Yoma, Myanmar Thomas Geissmann, Mark Grindley, Frank Momberg, Ngwe Lwin, and Saw Moses .....................................4
    [Show full text]
  • Sound Spectrum Characteristics of Eastern Black Crested Gibbons
    NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 13 (2): 347-351 ©NwjZ, Oradea, Romania, 2017 Article No.: e161705 http://biozoojournals.ro/nwjz/index.html Sound spectrum characteristics of Eastern Black Crested Gibbons Huaiqing DENG#, Huamei WEN# and Jiang ZHOU* School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550001, China, E-mail: [email protected] # These authors contributed to the work equally and regarded as Co-first authors. * Corresponding author, J. Zhou, E-mail: [email protected], Tel.:13985463226 Received: 01. November 2016 / Accepted: 07. September 2016 / Available online: 19. September 2016 / Printed: December 2017 Abstract. Studies about the sound spectrum characteristics and the intergroup differences in eastern black crested gibbon (Nomascus nasutus) song are still rare. Here, we studied the singing behavior of eastern black crested gibbon based on song samples of three groups of gibbons collected from Trung Khanh, northern Vietnam. The results show that: 1) Song frequency of both adult male and adult female eastern black crested gibbon is low and both are below 2 KHz; 2) Songs of adult male eastern black gibbons are composed mainly of short syllables (aa notes) and frequency modulated syllables (FM notes), while adult female gibbons only produce a stable and stereotyped pattern of great calls; 3) There is significant differences among the three groups in highest and lowest frequency of FM syllable in males’ song; 4) The song chorus is dominated by adult males, while females add a great call; 5) The sound spectrum frequency is lower and complex, which is different from Hainan gibbon. The low frequency in the singing of the eastern black crested gibbon is related to the structure and low quality of the vegetation of its habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Views That Abuse: the Rise of Fake “Animal Rescue” Videos on Youtube Views That Abuse: the Rise of Fake “Animal Contents Rescue” Videos on Youtube
    Views that abuse: The rise of fake “animal rescue” videos on YouTube Views that abuse: the rise of fake “animal Contents rescue” videos on YouTube World Animal Protection is registered Foreword 03 with the Charity Commission as a charity and with Companies House as a company limited by guarantee. World Animal Summary 04 Protection is governed by its Articles of Association. Introduction 05 Charity registration number 1081849 Company registration number 4029540 Methods 06 Registered office 222 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8HB Results 07 Main findings 12 Animal welfare 13 Conservation concern 13 How to spot a fake animal rescue 14 YouTube policy 15 Call to action 15 References 16 2 Views that abuse: the rise of fake “animal rescue” videos on YouTube Image: A Lar gibbon desperately tries to break free from the grip of a Reticulated python in footage from a fake “animal rescue” video posted on YouTube. The Endangered Lar gibbon is just one of many species of high conservation concern being targeted in these videos. The use of these species, even in small numbers, could have damaging impacts on the survival of remaining populations. Foreword Social media is ubiquitous. There were an estimated 3.6 warn its users about the harm of taking irresponsible photos billion social media users worldwide in 2020 representing including those with captive wild animals, after hundreds of approximately half of the world’s population. thousands of people urged for the social media giant to act. Hundreds of hours of video content are being uploaded to This new report is timely.
    [Show full text]
  • A White-Cheeked Crested Gibbon Ethogram & a Comparison Between Siamang
    A white-cheeked crested gibbon ethogram & A comparison between siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) and white-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) Janet de Vries Juli – November 2004 The gibbon research Lab., Zürich (Zwitserland) Van Hall Instituut, Leeuwarden J. de Vries: Ethogram of the White-Cheeked Crested Gibbon 2 A white-cheeked crested gibbon ethogram A comparison between siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) and white-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) By: Janet de Vries Final project Animal management Projectnumber: 344311 Juli 2004 – November 2004-12-01 Van Hall Institute Supervisor: Thomas Geissmann of the Gibbon Research Lab Supervisors: Marcella Dobbelaar, & Celine Verheijen of Van Hall Institute Keywords: White-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys), Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus), ethogram, behaviour elements. J. de Vries: Ethogram of the White-Cheeked Crested Gibbon 3 Preface This project… text missing Janet de Vries Leeuwarden, November 2004 J. de Vries: Ethogram of the White-Cheeked Crested Gibbon 4 Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................ 5 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 6 1.1 Gibbon Ethograms ..................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Goal ..........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Age Related Decline in Female Lar Gibbon Great Call Performance Suggests That Call Features Correlate with Physical Condition Thomas A
    Southern Illinois University Carbondale OpenSIUC Publications Department of Anthropology Spring 2-5-2016 Age related decline in female lar gibbon great call performance suggests that call features correlate with physical condition Thomas A. Terlepht Sacred Heart University, [email protected] Suchinda Malaivijitnond Chulalongkorn University, [email protected] Ulrich H. Reichard Ulrich H Reichard, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/anthro_pubs This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Recommended Citation Terlepht, Thomas A., Malaivijitnond, Suchinda and Reichard, Ulrich H. "Age related decline in female lar gibbon great call performance suggests that call features correlate with physical condition." BMC Evolutionary Biology 16, No. 4 (Spring 2016): 13. doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0578-8. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Anthropology at OpenSIUC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications by an authorized administrator of OpenSIUC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Terleph et al. BMC Evolutionary Biology (2016) 16:4 DOI 10.1186/s12862-015-0578-8 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Age related decline in female lar gibbon great call performance suggests that call features correlate with physical condition Thomas A. Terleph1* , S. Malaivijitnond2,3 and U. H. Reichard4 Abstract Background: White-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) are small Asian apes known for living in stable territories and producing loud, elaborate vocalizations (songs), often in well-coordinated male/female duets. The female great call, the most conspicuous phrase of the repertoire, has been hypothesized to function in intra-sexual territorial defense.
    [Show full text]
  • THE PRECARIOUS STATUS of the WHITE-HANDED GIBBON Hylobates Lar in LAO PDR Ramesh Boonratana1*, J.W
    13 Asian Primates Journal 2(1), 2011 THE PRECARIOUS STATUS OF THE WHITE-HANDED GIBBON Hylobates lar IN LAO PDR Ramesh Boonratana1*, J.W. Duckworth2, Phaivanh Phiapalath3, Jean-Francois Reumaux4, and Chaynoy Sisomphane5 1 Mahidol University International College, Mahidol University, 999 Buddhamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand. E-mail: [email protected] 2 PO Box 5573, Vientiane, Lao PDR. E-mail: [email protected] 3 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ban Watchan, Fa Ngum Road, PO Box 4340, Vientiane, Lao PDR. E-mail: [email protected] 4 PO Box 400, Houayxay, Bokeo, Lao PDR. E-mail: [email protected] 5 Wildlife Section, Division of Forest Resource Conservation, Department of Forestry, Thatdam Road, PO Box 2932, Vientiane, Lao PDR. E-mail: [email protected] * Corresponding author ABSTRACT The White-handed Gibbon Hylobates lar is restricted within Lao PDR to the small portion of the north of the country that lies west of the Mekong River. The evidence-base includes one historical specimen of imprecise provenance, recent records of a few captives (of unknown origin), and a few recent field records. Only one national protected area (NPA), Nam Pouy NPA, lies within its Lao range, and the populations of the species now seem to be small and fragmented. Habitat degradation, conversion and fragmentation, and hunting, are all heavy in recently-surveyed areas, including the NPA. Without specific attention, national extinction is very likely, although the precise level of threat is unclear because so little information is available on its current status in the country. Keywords: conservation, distribution, geographic range, Mekong, threat status INTRODUCTION Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR; Laos) (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER the Page 1 June 2013 SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT
    SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER The Page 1 June 2013 SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT PO BOX 335 COMO 6952 WESTERN AUSTRALIA Website: www.silvery.org.au E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 0438 992 325 June 2013 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Dear Members and Friends I hope, not just for Sadewa and Kiki, this forest will present an opportunity for many other gibbons Well this is what it’s all about! On June 15 two currently kept at JGC to live as a gibbons should; Javan Gibbon Centre (JGC) residents - Sadewa and for the species, an opportunity to establish a and Kiki - will be free! After years of planning, our new population of gibbons in Java. new release site at Malabar Forest near Bandung has been secured, facilities have been We will keep you posted on their progress. The constructed and the team is ready to go. Sadewa release program, however, has added significant and Kiki have been transferred to their new expenditure to our budget this year and we are enclosure at the release site and are getting used urgently seeking support. If you are able to help to the sights, sounds and tastes of this forest! I with a tax-deductible donation before the end of will have the privilege of being there on June 15 the financial year, we would greatly appreciate it - when their cage door is opened, and I hope that you will be helping to secure a future for Silvery this will symbolize a bright future for Javan gibbon gibbons! conservation. We were so pleased this month to see enthusiastic youngsters in QLD doing their bit to help Silvery gibbons.
    [Show full text]
  • An Assessment of Trade in Gibbons and Orang-Utans in Sumatra, Indoesia
    AN ASSESSMENT OF TRADE IN GIBBONS AND ORANG-UTANS IN SUMATRA, INDONESIA VINCENT NIJMAN A TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORT Published by TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia © 2009 TRAFFIC Southeast Asia All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyrighted and may be reproduced with permission. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must credit TRAFFIC Southeast Asia as the copyright owner. The views of the authors expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the TRAFFIC Network, WWF or IUCN. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of TRAFFIC or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The TRAFFIC symbol copyright and Registered Trademark ownership is held by WWF. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. Layout by Noorainie Awang Anak, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Suggested citation: Vincent Nijman (2009). An assessment of trade in gibbons and orang-utans in Sumatra, Indonesia TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia ISBN 9789833393244 Cover: A Sumatran Orang-utan, confiscated in Aceh, stares through the bars of its cage Photograph credit: Chris R. Shepherd/TRAFFIC Southeast Asia An assessment of trade in gibbons and orang-utans in Sumatra, Indonesia Vincent Nijman Cho-fui Yang Martinez
    [Show full text]
  • Traffic Southeast Asia Report
    HANGING IN THE BALANCE: AN ASSESSMENT OF TRADE IN ORANG-UTANS AND GIBBONS ON KALIMANTAN,INDONESIA VINCENT NIJMAN A TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORT TRAFFIC SOUTHEAST ASIA Published by TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia © 2005 TRAFFIC Southeast Asia All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyrighted and may be produced with permission. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must credit TRAFFIC Southeast Asia as the copyright owner. The views of the authors expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the TRAFFIC Network, WWF or IUCN. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of TRAFFIC or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The TRAFFIC symbol copyright and Registered Trademark ownership is held by WWF, TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. Layout by Noorainie Awang Anak, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Suggested citation: Vincent Nijman (2005), Hanging in the Balance: An Assessment of trade in Orang-utans and Gibbons in Kalimantan, Indonesia TRAFFIC Southeast Asia ISBN 983-3393-03-9 Photograph credit: Pet Müller’s Gibbon Hylobates muelleri, West Kalimantan, Indonesia (Ian M. Hilman/Yayasan Titian) Hanging in the Balance: An Assessment of Trade in Orang-utans and Gibbons in Kalimantan, Indonesia HANGING IN THE BALANCE: An assessment of trade in orang-utans and gibbons in Kalimantan, Indonesia Vincent Nijman August 2005 Yuyun Kurniawan/Yayasan Titian Kurniawan/Yayasan Yuyun Credit: Credit: Orang-utan and macaque skulls used for decoration in Central Kalimantan.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation of Gibbons in Yunnan Province, China
    Conservation of gibbons in Yunnan Province, China Elliott H. Haimoff, Yang Xiao-Jun, He Swing-Jing and Chen Nan Three gibbon species inhabit the tropical and subtropical forests in China, all of which occur in Yunnan Province: the crested gibbon Hylobates concolor, lar gibbon H. lar, and hoolock gibbon H. hoolock. As a result of deforestation and over-hunting, all three species are gravely endangered in China and may be on the verge of extinction; they are now considered to be the nation's rarest animals. A recent census and survey of crested gibbons in Yunnan Province, partly funded from FFPS's Oryx 100% Fund, revealed new information on the distribution, status and conservation of gibbons in China. The authors made recommendations for future conservation measures, and these are now being considered by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Government. For several decades the slash-and-burn culti- cure for epilepsy (Tan, 1985). For these reasons, vation and the regular hunting carried out by the gibbons have been heavily hunted throughout inhabitants of southern China, in addition to the their range for the past several decades. recent expansion of the rubber industry in this region due to the favourable climate and soil There are currently three gibbon species in conditions, have resulted in a vast and con- China: the lar gibbon H. lar, hoolock gibbon H. tinuous reduction of primate population hoolock, and the crested gibbon H. concolor. numbers and their forest habitats (Zhang et al, The first two are confined, in China, to Yunnan 1981; Tan, 1985).
    [Show full text]
  • Captive Gibbons (Hylobatidae) Use Different Referential Cues in an Object- Choice Task: Insights Into Lesser Ape Cognition and Manual Laterality
    Captive gibbons (Hylobatidae) use different referential cues in an object- choice task: insights into lesser ape cognition and manual laterality Kai R. Caspar1, Larissa Mader1, Fabian Pallasdies1, Miriam Lindenmeier1 and Sabine Begall1,2 1 Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany 2 Czech University of Agriculture, Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Prague, Czech Republic ABSTRACT Background. Utilization of visual referential cues by non-human primates is a subject of constant scientific interest. However, only few primate species, mostly great apes, have been studied thoroughly in that regard, rendering the understanding of phylogenetic influences on the underlying cognitive patterns difficult. Methods. We tested six species of captive gibbons in an object-choice task (n D 11) for their ability to interpret two different pointing gestures, a combination of body orientation and gaze direction as well as glancing as referential cues. Hand preferences were tested in the object-choice task and in a bimanual tube task (n D 18). Results. We found positive responses to all signals except for the glancing cue at the individual as well as at the group level. The gibbons' success rates partially exceed results reported for great apes in comparable tests and appear to be similarly influenced by prior exposure to human communicative cues. Hand preferences exhibited by the gibbons in the object-choice task as well as in a bimanual tube task suggest that crested gibbons (Nomascus sp.) are strongly lateralized at individual but not at population level for tasks Submitted 2 March 2018 Accepted 10 July 2018 involving object manipulation.
    [Show full text]
  • PROJECT PROPOSAL Conservation of Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon
    PROJECT PROPOSAL Conservation of northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) in the conservation complex of Xuan Lien and Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, Vietnam Bui Thanh Tung Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) E-mail: [email protected] 1/9 Abstract Northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) is one of the planet’s endangered primates and the most threatened species in Vietnam. Nomascus leucogenys historically occurs from Northwest Vietnam to Northern Laos and Southern China (Rawson et al., 2011). Habitat loss and poaching are major threats to the survival of the gibbon. The population of gibbon in China may now be as few as 10 individuals, which are unlikely to persist even in the short-term (Pengfei, 2010). The population in Laos is unknown. The population in Vietnam is highly fragmented and limited to three areas in Northern Vietnam (Rawson et al., 2011). Recently, the surveys about primate confirmed that the most viable populations of this species in Vietnam is now found in the forest complex of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve and Pu Hoat Nature Reserve located in the western area of the north-central region of Vietnam (Nguyen et al., 2013). However, the studies have focused on the efforts into researching in Xuan Lien and have not done in Pu Hoat. The lack of public attention about the survival of this critically endangered gibbon has still been a major concern, and the conservation gap is also one of the factors that lead to the declining of the gibbon in Vietnam. More importantly, Pu Hoat and Xuan Lien are believed to be the most important throughout for this species its range.
    [Show full text]