The Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) is the last remaining ape species found on the Indonesian island of Java. With almost 98% of its habitat already gone, this species faces serious threat of extinction in the very near future.
There are approximately 17 species of gibbon found across South East Asia and a small portion of South and East Asia, 7 of these within Indonesia. Often considered the forgotten ape, these charismatic and intriguing primates suffer the same threats as their larger cousins, the orangutan.
Java itself is a relatively small island, with approximately 140 million human inhabitants. Much of the natural forest cover has been encroached as a result of the ongoing expansion of the human population. The illegal pet trade sadly still exists and the wild populations of Javan gibbon are highly fragmented. The Javan gibbon is only found in the west and part of central Java in highly fragmented habitat. Estimates of remaining gibbon numbers vary greatly, ranging from 400 to 4,000. Recently, preliminary surveys suggested that Javan gibbons were found in up to 63 pockets of habitat, some containing only a few individuals.
Without proper management strategies, many of these populations would be considered non viable and even some of the larger populations still have little to no protection.
Although this species has been successfully housed in institutions throughout the world, breeding success has been limited. Currently, only six institutions worldwide are successfully breeding these endangered gibbons. The captive population currently totals 143 animals in institutions throughout Australia, Europe, North America and Indonesia.
With such small populations both in the wild in captivity, it has become essential to manage the global population effectively and to provide tangible links between ex situ and in situ conservation efforts.
During 2010, a Global Cooperative Management Program (GCMP) was developed with the primary goal to manage the international captive Javan Gibbon Population for maximum benefit for the conservation of the species.
The Management Committee have been working closely with both Indonesian and International stake holders to finalise the program agreements and conservation and management strategies.
As well as approved management of population genetics, institutions holding this species outside of Indonesia will be required to make annual financial contributions to in situ conservation projects.
