SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT

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1 The SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER Page 1 PO BOX 335 COMO 6952 WESTERN AUSTRALIA Website: silverygibbon@live.com.au Phone: PRESIDENT S REPORT Dear Members and Friends Well we have kicked off the year with a very successful fundraising campaign that many of you participated in. We came up with the Go Without for Gibbons concept quite a few years back but social media has finally given us the opportunity to promote the idea effectively and actually turn it into some much needed funds for us. Thank you so much to all of you who went without your luxuries for February and made donations to Silvery Gibbon Project (SGP) instead. The campaign culminated with a Comedy Night on March 1 which was lots of fun with plenty of indulging was had by all. (See page 6). We are excited to report this month on the establishment of a new release program for Javan gibbons (Silvery gibbons) and we are looking to secure considerable funding to support this project. (See Page 2). Despite the tragic events surrounding the hunting of Jeffrey in 2012, we still believe that the best outcome for the conservation of Javan gibbons and the welfare of individuals housed at Javan Gibbon Centre (JGC) is for a well managed and effective reintroduction program. I was able to visit JGC in January with some guests, including a local sponsor. It was very promising to see financial support arising for the project from within Indonesia. Clare travelling to JGC with Dr Ben Rawson (FFI) I am heading off again in March to lead the Wildlife Asia Big 5 Tour. This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for participants to visit conservation projects for Orangutans, Sunbears, Sumatran Rhino, Elephants and of course Javan gibbon. We are very excited that we have been able to fill the tour and hopefully we will be able to offer similar opportunities in the future. Stay tuned!! Until next time, take care Clare visiting JGC with Dr Ben Rawson (FFI) Clare Campbell President, Silvery Gibbon Project

2 SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER Page 2 THE ROAD TO RELEASE The Javan Gibbon Centre (JGC) was established in 2002 as a rescue and rehabilitation centre for the Endangered Silvery or Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) in response to an identified need for such a facility as part of the global conservation of this species. The primary objective of the centre has always been to rehabilitate and release gibbons into suitable areas of protected forest. The first trial release occurred in October 2009, with the pair monitored intensively for two years. They continue to thrive in forest nearby to JGC. A second trial release occurred in May 2012 which sadly ended in the incidental hunting of one of the gibbons, Jeffrey. Prior to this, the pair appeared to adapt well to their wild environment. Despite this tragedy, the goal remains from both a welfare and conservation perspective to pursue a reintroduction program that will ideally re-establish a new population of Javan gibbons in West Java. After numerous surveys of potential sites throughout West Java, the Javan Gibbon Foundation (JGF) has recently negotiated the use of the Malabar forest. The Malabar mountain, located in Bandung regency, West Java comprises of almost 9000 hectares of land at an altitude of 1,000 to 2,300 above sea level. The area is covered by tree plantations (26.9%) and forest (73.1%), and is under the management of Perhutani (Forestry State Enterprise). The Malabar mountain is an area that is critical for watershed protection as well as the conservation of flora and fauna in Java. The area is the core site of a large and significant water catchment area, upstream of the Citarum river, the largest river in West Java. This watershed provides water for about 10 million people along the basin, with at least 25 million people depending on this water source for water and electricity. In addition, the water shed provides irrigation for 240,000 hectare and supplies 80% of the raw water for Jakarta residents. Figure 1: Map of Malabar mountain in Citarum watershed Source: Citarum Facts (28/1/2013

3 SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER Page 3 This site offers both suitable habitat for gibbons as well as the opportunity to engage local communities and potentially develop alternative livelihood initiatives and conservation awareness activities in the region. With at least four pairs of gibbons ready for release at the JGC, it is hoped that at least two of these could be released during As with previous releases, a large soft release enclosure will be constructed on site to enable the gibbons sufficient time to adjust to the new environment. Staff facilities will also be constructed on site to allow for care of the gibbons during this period as well as ongoing monitoring. Most importantly, the release site will be patrolled by a Gibbon Protection Unit (GPU) comprising of staff from JGF, local communities and the Forestry Department. It is critical that this GPU be formed ASAP and undergo sufficient training so that they can begin patrols prior to any gibbon release. Javan Gibbon Foundation have recently begun engaging the local communities with socialisation activities and the JGC Mobile Conservation Education Unit (MCEU) will also soon begin education activities with the local communities to ensure support of the project and encourage community values for the protection of wildlife and habitat. A new Manager will also be employed for the Malabar site to ensure effective operations and communication. SGP is hoping to be able to fund a significant portion of this project but as you can imagine, this is a costly exercise and we will require considerable increase in income this year in order to assist. A released Javan gibbon in Pattiwel Forest Most importantly, the release site will be patrolled by a Gibbon Protection Unit (GPU) comprising of staff from JGF, local communities and the Forestry Department. It is critical that this GPU be formed ASAP and undergo sufficient training so that they can begin patrols prior to any gibbon release. Javan Gibbon Foundation have recently begun engaging the local communities with socialisation activities and the JGC Mobile Conservation Education Unit (MCEU) will also soon begin education activities with the local communities to ensure support of the project and encourage community values for the protection of wildlife and habitat. A new Manager will also be employed for the Malabar site to ensure effective operations and communication. SGP is hoping to be able to fund a significant portion of this project but as you can imagine, this is a costly exercise and we will require considerable increase in income this year in order to assist. Javan Gibbon Foundation undertaking socialisation activities at the release site in Java. Javan Gibbon Foundation members with local stakeholders

4 SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER Page 4 LECTURE ON GIBBONS BY EMERITUS PROFESSOR WARREN BROCKELMAN, UWA A Report by SGP Member Pauline Hansen Recently Marsha Sullivan and I attended a public lecture at the University of Western Australia hosted presentation by Emeritus Professor Warren Brockelman on gibbon biology. Professor Warren, now retired, continues as an advisor at the research institute where he worked at the school of Biology at Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand. He began by confirming that there are 17 species of gibbon recognised by primate taxonomists. From 1975, Professor Warren has been actively interested in the ecology and behaviour of gibbons. Thailand is an ideal place to be situated for gibbon studies as it is central to the current gibbon ranges which are only located along the Sunda Shelf and continental Asia; that is, some Indonesian Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and a small population in Hainan Province, China. In the past century these little apes became a focus for scientists because among other things - their locomotor skills which are distinct from the other apes, and their skeletons are very different from the quadrupedal primates. The differences in morphology may be indicators of the evolutionary changes that preceded the emergence of humankind. Another focus of interest is the remarkably complex social system among gibbons in comparison to other mammals. It includes monogamous pairing, territoriality, and their elaborate vocal calls, often singing duets with their life time mates. Professor Brockelman s presentation was in relation to the fact that despite considerable study and the accumulation of knowledge about gibbons, there are a number of basic questions unanswered about the gibbons social systems and the mechanisms that maintain those systems. The focus of the talk was how to explain why there is so little overlap in ranges between species and why there is very little evolutionary radiation; that is, increase in taxonomic diversity or morphological difference. Professor Brockelman explained that gibbons tend to live in small family groups, and are ardently territorial. Pairing adults are usually monogamous, are mostly frugivorous (fruit eaters) with additional foods such as leaves, shoots and invertebrates. Adults of all the species are similar in size with the exception of the Siamang which is the largest gibbon species, and is also mostly folivorous (leaf eating). Why is there so little overlap and diversity? Professor Brockelman explored 4 areas: (1) Rivers and seas may be boundaries, (2) differences in habitat, (3) reproduction isolation, and (4) ecological competition. Rarely do ranges overlap. An exception is with the Siamangs and the Javan Gibbons. Occasionally ranges may border one another. Seas and rivers do appear to be natural barriers today but it would not always have been the case. Tectonic activity would have shifted landforms and rivers would have been realigned over time. For example, the Mekong has shifted course several times in the last 2 million years. There is very little variation in the habitat and food resources utilised by gibbons that would naturally separate species. All gibbons are restricted by their locomotion style to the tree canopies. They do not move around quickly on the ground and are at greater risk of predation when not in the trees. As with all animals that spend most of their waking time searching for food, they cannot afford to specialise their diet. Gibbons eat a wide variety of fruit, which may change over from season to season and the variable availability over the years. Where there is contact, hybridisation can occur. The Lar Gibbons (pictured left) and Pileatus Gibbons, for example, have a common territory boundary in the Khao Yai National Park, and a recent study in the region indicated that 6.5% of the gibbon population in the study area were hybrids. These two gibbon species are similar in size and colour. However, hybridisation is not common and it has been observed that hybrids tend to have difficulty forming and maintaining monogamous bonds.

5 SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER Page 5 The fourth area under discussion is ecological competition. This is a contest for resources and may have a negative or positive effect on one or both species. Many scientists consider it to be a driving force for adaptation. The above study helped test this topic as there is overlap of territories and there is contact between the Lar and Pileated gibbons. It was found that there is inter-species competition, where the males of each species behave territorially and aggressively when they meet, although neither species dominated the encounters. There was no evidence of displacement or encroachment by either species thereby preserving the ranges of each. Does gibbon singing help maintain social systems? The explanation for gibbons singing - and it is very pervasive - is not yet fully understood. It is species specific and gender specific and is believed to be, at least partially, genetic. It seems to play a role in sexual selection, a confirmation of family dynamics and is also important in delineating territorial boundaries. Hybrids do not appear to have the same repertoire as their parent species and there is conjecture that their songs confirm that they are different. In the above study calling or singing escalated when the different species defended their territories. References Cheyne, S.M., C.O.Campbell and K.L. Payne (2012). Proposed guidelines for in situ gibbon rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction. International Zoo Yearbook. 46: Zoological Society of London. Cant, J. Review of H. Preuschoft, D.J. Chivers, W. Brockelman and N. Creel The Lesser Ape. American Association for the Advancement of Science, Pp Pauline Hansen Member, Silvery Gibbon Project Early 2013 and the Silvery Gibbon Project is going into top gear in its fundraising efforts to support in-situ gibbon conservation. THE GO WITHOUT FOR GIBBONS CAMPAIGN For the whole of February 2013, each member of the Silvery Gibbon Project (SGP) Committee sacrificed a luxury to raise funds for gibbon conservation. Many in our committee went without such things as coffee for a whole month, donating what they would have spent to the SGP. Others went without beer, cakes and sweets or buying clothes! The Go Without For Gibbons campaign didn t just involve the committee. All around Perth and other cities in Australia, and indeed from other parts of the world supporters joined the campaign via our Facebook page. Kansas zookeeper Sydney Fitzpatrick went without alcohol, sweets and dinning out to lunch for the entire month. Joanna Crego Husby from Colorado stated on our Facebook page: Thank you for helping me to become a healthier person while getting to support gibbons. I have not had a cigarette since 31 Jan 2013 and I am still going strong. Thank you for all that you guys do for these amazing animals! It s all for a good cause! Some of the Committee members struggling with their addictions

6 SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER Page 6 SILVERY GIBBON COMEDY NIGHT On 1 st March, the day after the month long Go Without campaign, the Silvery Gibbon Project hosted another successful Comedy Night at the Applecross Tennis Club. With the help of local comedians: Sarah Furtner Ayden Doherty Sarah Young Bluey Von Steiger John Robertson The night was a wonderful mix of laughs and games and all in the name of a great cause. A big thank you to Jason Credaro from Little Creatures Brewery and all at Little Creatures for the generous help with the beer for the night and Credaro and Beach Head wines. Thanks too for everyone on the Committee that made it a success. The Silvery Gibbon Project hopes everyone enjoyed the night and will come to our events in the future. Funds generated from these events go straight to helping the Gibbons and their habitat. Stay tuned for the next exciting event!! Many thanks Holly Thompson (Vice President) BUY SUSTAINABLE CHOCOLATE THIS EASTER Nestlé s Margaret River Chocolate Company s Tortoise For those of you who celebrate Easter - and in particular do so by buying copious amounts of chocolate - please consider the environment. Some of you may remember the recent campaign against Nestlé for purchasing palm oil from unsustainable plantations (indeed from areas of substantial illegal logging). As a result Nestlé claim to be searching for a secure and sustainable supplier. We are asking all of you to buy products that derive from (or their component ingredients derive from) sustainable and ethical production. In Western Australia a chocolate tortoise was made by a local company after it was approached by a conservation group in support of the world s most endangered tortoise. Wherever you are be consumer wise. Companies listen when it affects their profit margins.

7 SILVERY GIBBON PROJECT NEWSLETTER Page 7 DUSKY LEAF MONKEY: A PROFILE There are nine species of leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus), and of these the dusky leaf monkey or spectacled langur is divided into seven sub-species. They are spread throughout the forests of southeast Asia; principally in Burma, Thailand and Malaysia, but they are also known to live in forest of Laos, India, Bangladesh and possibly the Yunnan province in Southern China. The species is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Its name langur is a Hindu word meaning long tail, and spectacled because the striking white rings around the eyes resembles spectacles. Photo: Daniel Nahabedian This photo of an infant dusky leaf monkey and its mother by Daniel Nahabedian was taken in the hills of Prachuap Khiri Kan, on the Malay Peninsula, southern Thailand. Like all infants it is coloured bright orange or yellow with a pink face. The infant normally born one at a time after a five month pregnancy - will stay close to her mother suckling, and the mother constantly grooming and caressing her. In time it will take on the darker brown colouring of its parents, venturing further afield to play with other infant monkeys. In the wild they will eat leaves, as well as flowers and unripe fruit. An adult will eat as much as two kilos a day. Like many primates, what researchers know of them is taken from captive populations as much as wild. In captivity dusky leaf monkeys might live to 25 years or more; however females have frequently not lived past 15 years. Males and females look morphologically the same except that males are bigger. Head and body length ranges from 42 to 61 cm, and tail length from 50 to 85 cm. Males are larger than females but there are no other morphological differences between the sexes. On average, a healthy adult male weighs 7.4 kg, whereas a healthy adult female weighs approximately 6.5 kg. The hands and feet are capable of grasping, and resemble those of humans. The hands, with an opposable thumb and an elongated tail enable these monkeys to live high in the canopy, often over 35m, and to jump and climb from tree limb to tree limb with remarkable ease. They have a range of 5ha to 12ha. The social system typically involves troops with only one or two males, and they are therefore probably polygynous. Breeding in dusky leaf monkeys is intermittent and not always seasonal. Typically one young is born and the birth usually takes place during the months of January, February and March. The gestation period is 5 months and the usual interval between births is approximately two years. Sexual maturity is reached between 3 and 4 years of age. (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research). Photo: Robin Stevens Cantor s dusky langur (Trachypithecus obscurus halonifer), pictured left, is unique to the island of Penang, Malaysia. It will sometimes venture out of the forest to explore parklands. Though snakes are its natural predator and to a lesser degree large birds of prey, humans have increasingly become the greatest threat to their survival. Hunting of leaf monkeys is common in some regions, but habitat destruction is an even greater threat. Leaf monkeys share the same habitats as many of the gibbon species, though their great versatility to adapt to secondary forests and even parklands means they have a few advantages that gibbons do not. Leaf monkeys, like all primates, form close bonds through constant socialising, and have developed a complex series of calls, hoots and honks to indicate territory boundaries, intruders or comfort when being groomed. References: Badham, M. A note on breeding the spectacled leaf monkey Presbytis obscura at Twycross Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook. Vol. 7, 89. Curtin, S.H Dusky and banded leaf monkeys. in Malayan Forest Primates: Ten Years' Study in Tropical Rain Forest. ed. D.J. Chivers. Plenum Press: New York. Hrdy, S.B. and Whitten, P.L Patterning of Sexual Activity. In Primate Societies. eds. B.B. Smuts, D.L. Cheney, R.M. Seyfarth, R.W. Wrangham, and T.T. Struhsaker. University of Chicago Press. Nowak, R Walker's Mammals of the World, Sixth Edition. Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press.