What inspires you about gibbons?
There is something behind the eyes of a gibbon and once you make that connection you are hooked for life. I sometimes feel that they don’t get enough attention compared to their larger cousins, although I am working hard to change that.
Gibbons are as equally intriguing as the larger apes and certainly just as important. They are also, sadly, in the same precarious situation.
I feel driven to ensure that gibbons can exist as nature intended. When this task becomes challenging I turn to them for renewed inspiration and I hope that in my lifetime I can actually make a little bit of a difference.
What appeals to you about gibbons?
Many things but one thing that stands out is how similar their behaviour is to humans. They live in tight-knit family groups and what is remarkable is the compassion and affection they show towards one another. The relationship between an adult pair and their offspring, in particular, is very similar to that of humans.
They also sing! Vocal communication is important for many species but the gibbons’ use of song is absolutely fascinating and we have so much more to learn about it. Most gibbon pairs perform a duet. This is not only a way of announcing to other gibbons that this is their territory, it is also a strong bonding exercise. Most gibbons will start the morning with a song and the young ones in the group will join in and spend several years developing their singing skills.
How endangered are they?
All species of gibbons are endangered – most of them critically endangered. On Hainan Island, off the coast of Southern China, there is one species that has only about 20 individuals left. Several other species have fewer than 100. The Javan Gibbon is down to somewhere between 400 and 3000 individuals but they are all found in fragmented areas of habitat and under serious threat.
The problems facing the gibbon are indicative of the state of our whole environment. I believe that all humans should take responsibility, not only in our own backyards, but on a global scale. We have a comfortable life here in Australia and we have the opportunity to make a difference elsewhere not just for future generations but for the sake of the animals themselves. If we can use the Javan Gibbon to engage the public and if we can protect their habitat, we can effectively conserve entire ecosystems.
What are the main threats to gibbons?
Habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade. Gibbons, especially infants, are sought after as pets. The problem is that the only way to get these little ones is to kill the parents. Other members of the family are then likely to be displaced and killed in territorial fights. The result of poaching one baby gibbon could mean the death of up to six animals. It is estimated that several thousand gibbons are still being kept as pets in Indonesia alone.
How does working at Perth Zoo help you with your conservation efforts?
The Zoo provides an excellent platform for me to raise awareness about the plight of these species and to make a contribution to conservation. The Zoo supports the Silvery Gibbon Project (SGP), a non-government organisation of which I am the President. SGP was started in 1991 by a former Perth Zoo Curator and has been run ever since by both Zoo Staff and volunteers. About six years ago, SGP, with the support of Perth Zoo, was instrumental in setting up the Javan Gibbon Centre, a rehabilitation facility in Java. We now have 31 gibbons, all ex-pets undergoing rehabilitation and in October last year, in a world first, a pair was released into an area of wild habitat. We hope that in the near future we will also play a significant role in establishing Gibbon Protection Units, which is of utmost importance in protecting wild populations.
Having a family of five Javan Gibbons and two groups of White-cheeked Gibbons here at the Zoo helps to create an awareness of the plight of these species. The signage at their enclosure explains the threats that gibbons face in the wild and what people can do to help.
How do you see the role of non-government organisations (NGOs)?
NGO’s are absolutely essential in terms of wildlife conservation. If you didn’t have dedicated and passionate people doing the groundwork on a voluntary basis it would be very difficult to achieve anything significant.
If you had one wish for nature conservation what would that be?
That no human ever did anything cruel to any animal. That would solve pretty much everything wouldn’t it?
If you want to get involved in conservation, learn how Perth Zoo can help. Visit www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/Act.
Find out more about the conservation organisations which our featured staff support.
Photos courtesy of Phil England and Kate O’Connell.
