Rehabilitating Gibbons and Siamang

Posted by Dawn M. Smith Aug 25, 2008

Writing about wildlife conservation can get pretty depressing. Another species is declared extinct or endangered, some critically. More habitat is lost. Pollution and climate change add to the toll on the incredible biodiversity of this planet.

So its always fun to spend some time writing success stories. And, hopefully getting more people interested in the lesser known wildlife species. My series on the gibbons is certainly a mix of the good and the bad.

On the downside-endangered black-crested gibbons, critically endangered Javan gibbons and the possible extinction of the white-handed gibbon in China.

But then there are the good news cases- a little female Hoolock gibbon, rescued by the Wildlife Trust of India doing well after release and the work of Kalaweit Gibbons and Siamang Conservation Program in Indonesia.

I confess that up until a couple of years ago all I knew about gibbons was that they were a type of primate. The life took me to India where I was able to see Hoolock gibbons in the wild.

On that same trip I met Chanee (Aurelien Brule), the amazing young man who founded Kalaweit. In his mid twenties he single-handedly founded Kalaweit and has continued to expand its capacity to care for the gibbons of Indonesia.

Knowing that these organizations are working literally night and day to help the gibbons and siamang of Asia keeps some hope alive for these animals.