Study

Biology and behaviour of reintroduced gibbons

  • Published source details Cheyne S.M., Chivers D.J. & Sugardjito J. (2008) Biology and behaviour of reintroduced gibbons. Biodiversity and Conservation, 17, 1741–1751.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Rehabilitate injured/orphaned primates

Action Link
Primate Conservation

Reintroduce primates as single/multiple individuals

Action Link
Primate Conservation

Conduct veterinary screens of animals before reintroducing/translocating them

Action Link
Primate Conservation

Allow primates to adapt to local habitat conditions for some time before introduction to the wild

Action Link
Primate Conservation

Reintroduce primates into habitat where the species is present

Action Link
Primate Conservation
  1. Rehabilitate injured/orphaned primates

    A controlled study in 2002-2003 in a swamp forest in Mintin Island, Borneo, Indonesia found that wild-born, captive-raised Bornean agile gibbons Hylobates albibarbis that were rehabilitated before release into the wild along with other interventions, shared a similar diet, spent similar amounts of time feeding, resting, and arm-swinging and at similar canopy heights as wild gibbons. However, the latter spent more time singing, socializing and travelling. Gibbons were quarantined for at least 12 months before reintroduction, during which they underwent veterinary screens. They were kept in in enclosures (3 x 3 x 3 m) and were supplemented with vitamins and leaves once a week. Individuals were introduced in pairs and into habitat in which wild gibbons were present. Only one reintroduced pair of gibbons was compared to a pair of wild gibbons at another site. The study does not distinguish between the effects of the different interventions mentioned above.

  2. Reintroduce primates as single/multiple individuals

    A controlled study in 2002-2003 in lowland forest in Kalimantan, Indonesia found that wild-born, captive-raised Bornean agile gibbons Hylobates albibarbis that were reintroduced in pairs, along with other interventions, shared a similar diet, spent similar amounts of time feeding, resting, and arm-swinging and at similar canopy heights as wild gibbons. However, wild gibbons spent more time singing, socializing and travelling. Before reintroduction gibbons were quarantined at a holding facility for at least one year, where they were screened by vets. They were kept in enclosures (3 x 3 x 3 m) to socialize and acclimatize to the natural environment and, during this time, were supplemented with vitamins and leaves once a week. Comparisons were made between a reintroduced pair of gibbons and a pair of wild gibbons at another site. The study does not distinguish between the effects of the different interventions mentioned above.

  3. Conduct veterinary screens of animals before reintroducing/translocating them

    A controlled study in 2002-2003 in swamp forest on Mintin Island, Borneo, Indonesia found that wild-born, captive-raised Bornean agile gibbons Hylobates albibarbis that underwent veterinary screens before reintroduction alongside other interventions, shared a similar diet, spent similar amounts of time feeding, resting, and arm-swinging and at similar canopy heights as wild gibbons. However, wild gibbons spent more time singing and socializing and travelling, which can be explained by the fact that the reintroduced gibbon pair split up almost immediately after their release. Gibbons were quarantined for at least 12 months before reintroduction. They were kept in enclosures (3 x 3 x 3 m) to socialize and acclimatize to the natural environment and were supplemented with vitamins and leaves once a week. They were introduced in pairs and into habitat in which wild gibbons were present. Only one reintroduced pair of gibbons was compared to a pair of wild gibbons at another site. The study does not distinguish between the effects of the different interventions mentioned above.

  4. Allow primates to adapt to local habitat conditions for some time before introduction to the wild

    A controlled study in 2002-2003 in swamp forest in Mintin Island, Borneo, Indonesia found that a wild-born, captive-raised Bornean agile gibbon Hylobates albibarbis pair that was allowed to adapt to local habitat conditions before reintroduction along with other interventions, shared a similar diet, spent similar amounts of time feeding, resting, and arm-swinging and at similar canopy heights as wild gibbons. However, the latter spent more time singing and socializing and travelling, probably because the reintroduced gibbon pair split up almost immediately after their release. The two gibbons were quarantined for at least 12 months before reintroduction and underwent veterinary screens. They were kept in enclosures (3 x 3 x 3 m) to socialize and acclimatize and during this time, were supplemented with vitamins and leaves once a week. They were introduced as a pair and into habitat with resident wild gibbons. The behaviour of the reintroduced gibbon pair was compared to a pair of wild gibbons at another site. The study does not distinguish between the effects of the different interventions mentioned above.

  5. Reintroduce primates into habitat where the species is present

    A controlled study in 2002–2003 in lowland freshwater swamp forest in Borneo, Indonesia found that wild-born, captive-raised Bornean agile gibbons Hylobates albibarbis reintroduced into habitat in which wild gibbons were present along with other interventions, shared a similar diet, spent similar amounts of time feeding, resting, and arm-swinging and at similar canopy heights as wild gibbons. However, wild gibbons spent more time singing, socializing, and travelling. Before reintroduction, gibbons were quarantined in enclosures (3 x 3 x 3 m) for at least 12 months, were screened by vets were allowed to socialize and acclimatize to the natural environment, and were supplemented with vitamins and leaves once a week. Only one reintroduced pair of gibbons was compared to a pair of wild gibbons at another site. The study does not distinguish between the effects of the different interventions mentioned above.

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust