International Gibbon Day: Protecting the White-Bearded Gibbon in Our Conservation Efforts

White-Bearded Gibbon (Owa Jenggot Putih) found in our project area

Today, 24 October 2024, we celebrate International Gibbon Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about the critical conservation needs of these unique primates. This year, we spotlight the Hylobates albibarbis, commonly known as the White-bearded Gibbon (Owa Jenggot Putih), a species found in the ecosystem of our conservation project. The White-bearded Gibbon is one of the many species endemic to Borneo (Kalimantan), making it a vital part of Indonesia's rich biodiversity.

Species Information*

• Scientific Name: Hylobates albibarbis (Lyon, 1911)

• Local Name: Wau-wau

• English Names: Bornean white-bearded gibbon, Bornean agile gibbon, southern gibbon

• Distribution: This species is found in southwestern Borneo, specifically south of the Kapuas River and west of the Barito River (Marshall and Sugardjito, 1986).

• Habitat: It inhabits tropical rainforests, from primary and secondary forests to peat swamp forests, thriving up to altitudes of 1,200 meters above sea level.

• Status: The Owa Jenggot Putih is protected under the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 106 of 2018. According to the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Endangered (EN).

• Unique Characteristics: Similar to H. agilis, the Owa Jenggot Putih is distinguished by the white beard-like hair around its face. Its outer arms, body, and legs are brown, while the top of its head is black.

• Research Highlights: The species can live up to 25 years in the wild and is known for its distinctive vocalizations.

Gibbons in Borneo*

Gibbons are arboreal apes, known for their remarkable speed and agility as they move through the trees. Their diet consists of fruit, leaves, flowers, and occasionally insects, eggs, or birds. They share their habitat with other primates, such as orangutans and macaques, who tend to live lower in the trees. Gibbons typically measure between 70 cm and 1 meter in height and can live up to 40 years. They are monogamous creatures, with the female giving birth to a single baby after a gestation period of around seven months. The young stay with their parents for up to seven years before setting off to find a partner with whom they will spend the rest of their life. While both male and female gibbons share dominance, the babies are only carried by the female. One of the most interesting facts about gibbons is that they cannot swim and are almost never seen on the ground, making the protection of their arboreal habitat critical to their survival.

Conservation Efforts

The White-bearded Gibbon, native to Borneo, faces severe threats due to habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion. As part of our forest restoration project, which spans areas of tropical peatland and dryland forests, the White-bearded Gibbon is one of the key species we aim to protect. This gibbon plays an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance of the forest by aiding in seed dispersal and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem. By safeguarding and restoring critical habitats, we aim to protect not only the White-bearded Gibbon but also the diverse species that share its environment. On this International Gibbon Day, we invite everyone to join us in protecting these incredible primates by supporting conservation efforts and sustainable land-use practices. Together, we can ensure that the White-bearded Gibbon and other endangered species continue to thrive in their natural habitats.

*Sources:

Gibbonesia. https://gibbonesia.id/owa-indonesia/owa-jenggot-putih/ accessed on 23 Oct 2024

Kementrian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan, Republik Indonesia. 2022. “STATUS LINGKUNGAN HIDUP INDONESIA” accessed from https://www.menlhk.go.id/cadmin/uploads/SLHI_2022_upload_final_77f9948571.pdf on 23 Oct 2024.

Yayasan Kalaweit Indonesia. https://kalaweit.org/en/introduction/environmental-context/ accessed on 24 Oct 2024.