GOLDEN-CHEEKED GIBBONS IN THE WILD

Golden-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus gabriellae) are only found in South Vietnam and Cambodia, with an estimated wild population of less than 25,000, as a result of forest destruction and hunting.

They live in small family groups; mother father and offspring. All infants are born blonde until 2 years of age when they turn black. Once they reach maturity around 5 years of age the females turn blonde while the males remain black with golden-cheeks. Average life span is 35 years.

Golden-cheeked gibbons eat primarily forest fruits with some leaf, flower and insects. Each family defends a core area of 15-50 hectares from other gibbon families, to ensure they have enough food. Most mornings at sunrise the whole family sing a short duet song of 12-15 minutes to inform other gibbons of their location and social status.

From research here in Cat Tien National Park we have found the gibbons to be highly adaptive at living in disturbed forest. The population can recover and increase by improving forest protection and stopping the illegal hunting for meat, medicinal use and the pet trade. With your help we can save this species from extinction.

HA & NOI

Ha (male) and Noi (female) arrived in Cat Tien during 2005 after being confiscated from a school playground near Ho Chi Minh. Noi has no fingers on her right hand as a result of being caught in a snare when taken illegally from the wild.

Ha & Noi esimated to be born in 1985, were rescued together and have maintained a very strong pair bond. They are not suitable

DA & LAT

Da (male) and Lat (female) were rescued together in 2008 after living many years at a restaurant tourist stop. When the young gibbons, estimated born in 2002 were confiscated the restaurant owner was fined 22,000,000VND for illegally keeping endangered primates.

On arrival the gibbons weighed half their expected weight and were placed on intensive feeding. Both gibbons have now gained weight, passed all health checks and are on schedule to be our first pair of gibbons for full release

NHA & CUCHI

Nha, (male) rescued from a tourist restaurant estimated born in 2002 has been paired with a young female Cuchi, (confiscated by Wildlife at Risk). Both individuals have passed all health, DNA checks, and are excellent candidates for being returned to the wild.

Cuchi has just started her final colour change from black to the mature femail blonde colour. The newly formed pair got on well from day one, with Nha being a very playful and a curious male.

LEE LEE & MERRY

Lee Lee (male) was found in the local town of Tan Phu, estimated born in 1990. He is believed to have lived most of his life on his own in a small cage next to a noisy generator.

Merry arrived on Christmas day 2008, after confiscation by Dinh Quan Forestry Protection Department. Estimated above 15 years of age, Merry is afraid of humans but likes gibbons!

SAMEE

Samee (male) was confiscated with the help of Vung Tau Kiem Lam in July 2008.

Samee had three rotten canines and refused to sing. Now four months on after our veterinary team has removed his cannines he is very relaxed and happy to sing, albeit when everyone else has finished. Samee is unlike the other gibbons as he has a very quiet inquisitive nature, but can be seen playing madly when no one is looking. We are hoping soon we will rescue a suitable female for him, so he no longer has to be alone.

MEI LEE

Mei Lee (female) was confiscated from a local petrol station, estimated born in 1990. She is a gentle female, who spends most her time hunting for insects. DNA testing has shown her to be the sister of LeeLee

TAU

TAU

Tau rescued in August 2008 has been confirmed to be the species Nomascus siki. Naturally found north of the golden-cheeks. Tau cannot be released in Cat Tien, so working with rescue centres in the north we will try and send him home. Estimated to have been born in 2006 for now he lives with his surrogate mother Mei Lee.

TRANG BOM

Trang Bom is a young female, estimated to be born in 2004. She was held as a pet until rescue in Oct 2008. Trang Bom is a very gentle female who loves to groom.

ELLIE

Ellie (females) estimated 5 years of age is midway through her colour change. On arrival to Dao Tien January 2009 she had a chain round her neck, and was very small for her age.

When placed in the large cage she struggled to move, but very quickly she has developed into a very playful young gibbon swinging around. Ellie now lives with Dao; both young female play very well together.

DAO

DAO

Dao was born in 2006 in the illegal trade and taken from her mother at around 1 year of age. When rescued at around 2 years, she had developed the stereotypic behaviour of wrapping one leg around her body, as if being held by her mother. Now she lives with Ellie and has finally learnt how to play.

TRANG, LIMHUYEN & MISU

Three infants were rescued from a tourist attraction in March 2009. Trang and Misu are young females estimated 1 and 2 years of age, with Limhuyen an infant male less than 1 year. All infants are waiting for health results; if all is good they will be placed with adult surrogate females.

MIKA

Mika (female) was rescued with severe paralysis a consequence of being confined in a small cage. By the age of five she was also blind from cataracts. We hoped for Mika's welfare we could remove her cataracts, a surgery never before done on gibbons. With the support of eye surgeons from Ho Chi Minh this was successful in November 2008.

Khoi

Khoi arrived at Dao Tien in June 2009 after being confiscated by Wildlife at Risk. Khoi is a young male born in 2007 and has spent quite some time without any gibbon company, thus does not understand gibbon communication. We have placed in our nursery group with similar aged youngsters (Trang, Limhuyen and Misu) to catch up on his education and learn how to play fight.

Hien & Nhee

Hien (young male) and Nhee (young female) arrived at Dao Tien in June 2009 from Wildlife at Risk after being confiscated from the illegal primate trade in Ho Chi Minh. Estimated to be born in 2006/2007 they are very close friends. They have been placed with Trang Bom an adult female to act as a big sister/adult role model. Trang Bom thinks they are wonderful and within days played, groomed and protected them.

PYGMY LORIS IN THE WILD

Distribution of the pygmy loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) is predominantly the evergreen forests of Vietnam and Laos, and secondary shrub forest in Vietnam. Due partly to unstable political situations in the countries where these animals originate, little is known about their wild status.

Pygmy lorises are often kept as a domestic pet and are sold in local markets in Vietnam and Laos. The eyes, fur, and other parts of the body are used for medicinal purposes.

MISTELTOE & Thang

Misteltoe arrived on Christmas day 2008, with her background not known. Health checks revealed Misteltoe to be a young female born early 2008. DNA has confirmed her to be from this region and we are planning to radio-collar and release her back to the wild. Thang arrived in June 2009 from Wildlife at Risk rescue centre. Estimated at 2 years of age and in very good condition- he will be a perfect mate for Misteltoe in our release program.

BLACK-SHANKED DOUC IN THE WILD

Black-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix nigripes) are Southeast Asian colobines about which primatologists know very little, but they are classed as endangered because of population decline due to habitat loss.

They live mainly in the high canopy but do come down to the ground, because of this they are often caught by indiscriminate ground snares in the forest. If taken into the illegal trade because of their specialized leaf eating diet, they rarely survive. As very beautiful and colourful, these “painted moneys” are purchased to live in small bird-cages in peoples houses.

CHINH & THANH

Chinh (female) and Thanh (juvenile male) arrived at Dao Tien in February 2009 after being released from a major tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh. Chinh estimated to be born in 2000 has lost fingers from her hand, most likely from being snared.

The pair are believed to be mother and son and contact call to each other throughout the day, with the young male only eating what mum has eaten first.

SILVERED LANGURS IN THE WILD

Silvered langurs (Trachypithecus margarita) primarily eat leaves, but also some fruit, seed, flowers and young shoots. Group size ranges from 9-51, with groups of 12 seen in Cat Tien National Park (Dan pers.obs 2009).

Females give birth to bright orange young, with allomothering taking place (all females caring /carrying the young) Silvered langur density is not known in Cat Tien National Park, with only 3 riverine locations known to hold small groups.

A-CHIH

A-chih (young male) estimated to be born in 2004, was confiscated from a large wild meat restaurant in Ho Chi Minh in February 2009. He has already passed all health checks and we are just waiting for DNA confirmation to this region. A-chih is now less than 500m away from a wild group of Silvered Langurs.

Endangered Asian Species Trust

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