ANNUAL REPORT 2011 President’s Report The 2010/2011 financial year brought about an important event for the Silvery Gibbon Project (SGP), the celebration of our 20 year anniversary. It seemed fitting that founder Dianne Gates has also chosen this year to make the move to QLD and resign from her position on SGP Committee. Di‟s commitment over such an extensive period of time has been testament to her dedication to the conservation of gibbons and she has mentored and influenced the current committee, who continue their strong commitment to the cause. A summary of Di‟s involvement in the project can be found further on in the report. The 20 year anniversary not only gave us a chance to reflect on what had been achieved but this milestone also provided us with the opportunity to look forward and consider the future direction of the project. With virtually all gibbon species remaining in serious trouble, SGP really hopes to expand it‟s assistance to other species as well as providing the ongoing support to the conservation of Javan gibbons. This year presented the opportunity to once again provide some funding for Kalaweit, in particularly for the Klosses Gibbon Project. Please see page 6 for a full report. The Javan Gibbon GCMP continued to progress and provide some clear direction for the linkage of zoo based conservation efforts with the insitu projects. The Javan Gibbon Centre has continued to grow and currently houses 30 gibbons. Enclosures are now being constructed from steel rather than wood and the slightly higher cost should result in a reduction of maintenance expenses. Released pair Echi and Septa continue to do well and although they have moved out of Pattiwel forest they continue to be monitored. On the home front, SGP hosted and collaborated on a number of successful fundraising events. Thanks to those involved in organising these functions as they are a crucial component of SGP‟s income. We are looking forward to the coming year, with some important opportunities for collaboration with other NGO‟s coming to fruition. We are hopeful this will allow SGP to grow as an organisation and contribute greater financial support to gibbon conservation efforts worldwide. Thank you as always to our friends on the ground managing the projects we support and of course to our invaluable committee, all of whom continue to give their time on a voluntary basis. As I prepare this report, I am observing a family of wild Agile gibbons in a tree outside my hut in Bukit 11 Tigapuluh, Sumatra. They are as they should be, free from the threat of the most destructive species on the planet. Outside of their safe boundary though, the threat remains, and it is immense. It renews energy and determination to fight for gibbons everywhere and save the critical habitat that remains. Hearing their call, Clare Campbell SGP Annual Report 20 1 Project Objectives for 2010/11 The Silvery Gibbon Project provides funding and support for a range of conservation initiatives for the Endangered Silvery (Javan) Gibbon. The aim of the project is to: a. secure and protect the habitat of the Javan gibbon in Java, b. re-establish the complete fauna of the areas through the reintroduction of Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch), c. provide education programs and facilities for the rehabilitation of ex pet gibbons, and d. improve the husbandry standards for all gibbons held in captivity throughout Indonesia The overall objectives highlighted for 2010/2011 were to ensure the long term survival of the species through education programs, rehabilitation and reintroduction of ex-captive gibbons and protection of habitat and wild populations with the implementation of successful Gibbon Patrol Units (GPU). This was to be achieved through the; i. Continual improvement of husbandry and veterinary standards at JGC and at Indonesian institutions housing gibbons, ii. Progression of reintroduction of ex captive gibbons (including Perth Zoo gibbon), iii. Identification of priority areas of habitat containing; - wild populations requiring protection, and - habitat that has the potential to sustain a reintroduction program, iv. Development and implementation of suitable habitat and wildlife protection strategies, and v. Implementation of effective education programs to reduce illegal pet trade and habitat degradation. Project Outcomes 2010/11 Reintroduction site surveys In May and June 2011, SGP provided funding for field surveys that were conducted at various locations in West Java to assess suitability for reintroduction of Javan gibbons. The following locations were identified with a summary of results included below; Site Alt Size Status Habitat Wild Gibbon Human Access gibbon foods activity Gunung 1,200- 7,500 Nature 100% Yes There are Low Easy Tilu 1,400 Reserve nature 70 species forest Kareumbi 700- 15,000 Hunting 50% No There are High Easy 1,300 Park nature 40 species 11 forest Ciremai 700- 15,500 National 75% No There are Middle Easy 3,000 Park nature 50 species forest Salak 500- 10,000 National 80% Yes There are Middle Easy 2,500 Park nature 70 species forest SGP Annual Report 20 2 SGP President, Clare Campbell met with Anton Ario and Noviar Andayani in Jakarta in February 2011 to discuss outcomes of surveys and prioritise areas. It was agreed that several of the locations were suitable and that multiple sites could be selected for various purposes, for example, Hepatitis B and non Hepatitis B release site, ecotourism/ education/ awareness release site. Clare agreed to visit the selected sites with Anton later in 2011 or early 2012. Visit to Perth Zoo by Javan Gibbon Centre Staff In March 2011, two valued members of the Javan Gibbon Centre in Indonesia, travelled to Perth to undertake two weeks training at Perth Zoo. There trip was sponsored by SGP. Mulya Hermansyah and Iip Latipah Syaepullah had never travelled overseas before, but were welcomed guests of Perth Zoo, where they were introduced to a multiplicity of training tasks; not just in primate care but in other matters of species conservation. Iip Latipah Syaepullah has been involved in primate conservation for ten years in Java. She was always interested in the research potential of Javan (Silvery) Gibbons, and in 2002 had the chance to work at the newly established Javan Gibbon Centre in West Java. At first she undertook an administrative role, but later assisted in veterinary clinic procedures. There are now 30 gibbons at the centre and some are being prepared for release into the wild later this year or next. Two others have already been released and monitoring shows that they are doing very well in their natural environment. Iip says, “It‟s important. In Java they are endangered; there are not many left”. Iip works along side her colleague Mulya. Iip and Mulya visiting Scarborough Beach Mulya Hermansyah also joined the staff at the newly establish Javan Gibbon Centre. When asked why, his reply was, “I love gibbons”. Mulya is a skilled keeper responsible for the daily care of all of the gibbons. He was keen to visit Perth Zoo to gain “new experiences, which I can take back to the Javan Gibbon Centre, and which we can use there”. Both Mulya and Iip stated that it was rewarding for them to be introduced to keeper programs of other animals, including Australian animals. It gave them many insights into the wider field of conservation. Iip stated, “I love it here”, and Mulya said with a smile, “All the keepers were very friendly, very good”. Mobile Conservation Education Unit The Mobile Conservation Education Unit (MCEU), using the Javan Gibbon and Javan Hawk Eagle as 11 flagship species, has been operating since 2003. Its premise is to work on a conservation education program that moves from school to school or from village to village. During the program to date, the MCEU has worked with about 20,000 school students from elementary school, junior and senior high school, with more than 200 schools and 30 villages visited. The impacts of this program have been positive with delivery of pet gibbons to the JGC and continued participation in the reforestation program and in assisting the conservation education program. Some of the villages, with about 300 families, have received a clean water supply, and this has become an example of the need to conserve the forest. SGP Annual Report 20 3 The education program works together with Volunteers as implementer, which has a conservation education program for communities and schools. This program uses material from the Bodogol Conservation Education Centre, and has received positive comments from schools and communities. During the period April to June 2011, students were also invited to visit the Bodogol Education Centre. In Earth Day 2011, staff conducted a drawing competition with elementary school students. 30 students participated on the day with the aim of increasing the students awareness of forests through pictures. In June, staff also visited the kampong (sub village) and conducted conservation messages using conservation movies. They visited in two kampong and about 150 communities were involved in the program. In 2010 SGP also provided the opportunity for staff from JGC to spend a week with mobile education team operating out of Jambi. This presented a great opportunity for networking and sharing ideas and the following report was provided by JGC staff Indonesian Students at a Week Long Conservation Study Program By Muhammad Abduh, Dede Rahmatulloh, Asep Somantri This is an edited version of a report by Abduh, Rahmatulloh and Somantri, who attended a week long Conservation Study Program in Jambi Province, Central Sumatra. Their participation was supported by the Mobile Conservation Education Unit (MCEU), which is run out of the Javan Gibbon Centre in West Java, and supported by the Silvery Gibbon Project in Perth.