Initial Lar Gibbon Site Assessments
In 2012, PRCF Thailand began research on the Lar Gibbon in the greater landscape of Op Luang National Park. This included auditory surveys in forest showing good habitat for gibbons, and interviews with local people regarding known presence of gibbon groups.
Through this initial research, we found gibbon groups widespread in the landscape, and good gibbon forest habitat outside the national park threatened by agricultural expansion. By engaging local communities in this initial research, we identified priorities of the local people and potential leaders for future conservation efforts. This led to good community involvement, from youth to elders, in our current initiatives.
Defined area of intervention
Auditory surveys conducted by local villagers and field observation allowed us to produce a program of intervention targeting specific sites, as depicted in a participatory map showing target village locations and sites where Lar Gibbon was found in the landscape.
The resulting maps are used by both local communities and PRCF program staff to plan and carry out gibbon conservation activities. It has, since its original version, helped to pinpoint our program activities, ranging from land-use planning at the village level to conservation awareness through grade school students. Update to it take place as program activities develop and additional initiatives materialize.
