The IUCN lists Silvery Gibbons as Endangered (IUCN 2008).
The response of the global community to the conservation of the Javan gibbon was based on their deteriorating status in in situ populations. Destruction of forest poses the single most important threat to Indonesian wildlife including the Javan gibbon. Illegal hunting for trade and killing of primates are also still extremely common. The Javan gibbon appears to be one of the taxa most threatened with extinction, i.e., with one of the most restricted and threatened ranges (Campbell et al, 2008).
The Javan gibbon is only found in the West and part of Central Java in highly fragmented habitat. Recently, preliminary surveys suggested that Silvery Gibbons were found in up to 63 pockets of habitat, some containing only a few individuals. Many of these areas have little or no protection from habitat degradation or poaching.
Estimates of remaining Javan gibbon numbers vary greatly, ranging from 400 to 4,000, however there can be no doubt that the population is in decline and that it continues to face significant threat from habitat degradation and fragmentation as well as poaching for the pet trade and hunting for food. Most important is the protection of forests, especially those containing viable populations of Javan Gibbons and the control of hunting and poaching in these areas (Campbell et al, 2008).
The current conservation strategy for this species aims to:
- protect wild populations and habitat,
- rehabilitate and reintroduce ex-pet Javan gibbons into protected their habitat,
- improve law enforcement and eliminate the illegal pet trade, and
- provide education programs regarding the importance of conservation of Indonesia’s wildlife and forests.
Improved management of the global captive population can also assist conservation of the species by:
- holding an insurance population and/or providing Javan gibbons for release to the wild as part of a managed conservation reintroduction program;
- conserves high levels of the genetic variability found in wild populations;
- conserves the behavioural repertoire of the species;
- can support the development and documentation of husbandry techniques for the species;
- supports regional fundraising efforts;
- provides animals for zoo-based research; and
- ensures a captive population persists in zoos and conservation centers for the purposes of educational display and/or fundraising.
In situ conservation projects currently underway are being managed by the following organisations. Detailed information about their specific projects can be found on their websites. Please follow the links below.
Aspinall Foundation/TAF-IP/PHKA -Java Primate Project
Links to the following documents:
Indonesian Gibbon Workshop 2008 Final Report (pdf), Campbell et al
Conservation of the Silvery (Javan) Gibbon (pdf), Payne, K and Campbell, C (2007)
Javan Gibbon Conservation Action Plan (coming soon)
