On the Chinese island of Hainan, in the South China Sea, the lesser primate ape called Hainan Gibbons struggle to keep population thriving. It is the only place in the world where you can find this species of Gibbon apes. From 1960 to 1980 their habitat was decimated as a result of deforestation by the Chinese paper making industry, and many gibbons were slaughtered, as their bones were thought to be a useful ingredient in Chinese medicines. In a span of 20 years more than 2000 Hainan gibbons were killed, and by 1980 there were only 7 left in the world. Since then sanctuaries in China have been trying to restore the population. Today there are 23 Hainan gibbons in the world.
Even though there are no Hainan gibbons in any zoos, there are many zoos that have gibbons (there are about 17 species). So the next time you are at the zoo visit the gibbons, and think about their close cousin in Hainan (the featured photo is of the white handed Gibbon who lives at the Oakland Zoo).
I’m Izzykat and remember to bikepenguin!
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