Across the canopies of Southeast Asia, gibbons serve as powerful indicators of forest health and symbols of the biodiversity we strive to protect. At PRCF gibbon conservation is not just a priority, it’s a unifying theme that runs through all our landscape initiatives. From the rainforests of Indonesia to the hills of Vietnam and Bangladesh, our work with gibbons spans species, countries, and communities. Here’s how PRCF is making an impact:
Indonesia: Safeguarding Forest Homes in North Sumatra and Kalimantan
In North Sumatra, we work to protect the habitats of Agile Gibbons (Hylobates agilis) and Siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus), integrating their conservation into broader forest protection efforts through social forestry and ape-friendly coffee enterprises. Meanwhile, in West Kalimantan, our large-scale landscape conservation programs support two more species: the Western Grey Gibbon (Hylobates abbotti) and the Bornean White-bearded Gibbon (Hylobates albibarbis). These efforts link local livelihoods with ecosystem preservation, creating win-win solutions for people and primates.
Bangladesh: Supporting National Planning for the Western Hoolock Gibbon
PRCF played a key role in developing the National Conservation Action Plan for the Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), the country’s only gibbon species and one of the most endangered primates in South Asia. This work ensures that policy, science, and community efforts are aligned to secure its future.
Vietnam: Restoring Habitats and Empowering Communities
In Northern Vietnam, we support the conservation of the critically endangered Cao Vit Gibbon (Nomascus nasutus) through habitat restoration in one of its last known ranges. While in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, PRCF is helping protect the Southern Buff-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae) through community-based forest management, ensuring that local people are central to conservation decisions.
A Legacy of Gibbon Work in Myanmar and Thailand
Our gibbon conservation roots run deep. In past years PRCF spearheaded conservation initiatives for the Hoolock Gibbon in Myanmar and led community-based efforts to protect the Lar Gibbon in Northern Thailand, laying the groundwork for enduring local stewardship.
Regional Coordination and Global Collaboration
At the heart of our gibbon work is a dedicated Gibbon Conservation Officer who leads PRCF’s primate efforts and is actively connecting with conservation networks across Southeast Asia, including close collaboration with the IUCN Primate Specialist Group Section on Small Apes (PSG SSA).
Gibbons are more than just an emblem of Asia’s forests, they are a flagship species for PRCF. Their conservation is deeply embedded in every landscape program we lead, symbolizing our commitment to preserving both biodiversity and the cultural and ecological landscapes they inhabit.
As the “Voices of the Forest”, gibbons remind us that a healthy planet is one where people and wildlife thrive together. PRCF is proud to be part of their story and to help ensure their calls continue to echo through Southeast Asia’s forests for generations to come.
