Yunnan Travel join us to protect Yunnan White-Browed Gibbon

Overview

The Yunnan White-Browed Gibbon (云南白眉长臂猿), also known as the Gaoligong White-Browed Gibbon (高黎贡白眉长臂猿) or Tianxing Gibbon (天行长臂猿), is a primate species endemic to China. It belongs to the family Hylobatidae and the genus Hoolock. This gibbon is primarily distributed in the Gaoligong Mountains (高黎贡山) in western Yunnan Province (云南省), as well as parts of northeastern Myanmar.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Size: Body length 45-65 cm, weight 6-14 kg, tailless, with forelimbs significantly longer than hind limbs.
  • Fur Color: Males are entirely black with two distinct white eyebrows, while females have grayish-brown fur with lighter eyebrows.
  • Facial Features: Short and flat face with white markings between the eyebrows, and no obvious white fur under the eyes.

Behavioral Habits

Habitat

  • Environment: Primarily inhabits tropical or subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests, monsoon evergreen broadleaf forests, and montane rainforests at elevations of 500-2,500 meters.

Activity

  • Tree-Dwelling: Strictly arboreal, spending almost their entire lives in trees for feeding and resting, rarely descending to the ground.

Diet

  • Food: Mainly wild fruits, tender buds, and leaves, occasionally insects and small birds.

Reproduction

  • Breeding Season: Mating occurs from September to February.
  • Reproduction Rate: Females give birth to one offspring every three years.

Conservation Status

Endangered Level

  • IUCN Red List: Listed as Endangered (EN).
  • China: Classified as Critically Endangered (CR).

Population

  • China: Fewer than 150 individuals, with fewer than 100 mature individuals.

Protection Measures

  • National Protection: Listed as a Class I protected wildlife species in China.
  • CITES: Included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Distribution Range

Domestic Distribution

  • China: Mainly found in Yingjiang (盈江), Longyang (隆阳), and Tengchong (腾冲) in Yunnan Province.

International Distribution

  • Myanmar: Also found in parts of northeastern Myanmar.

Captive Breeding

In October 2024, a healthy infant gibbon was born at the Dehong Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (德宏州野生动物收容救护中心) in Yunnan Province, marking a new addition to China’s captive-bred white-browed gibbon population.

Conservation Significance

The Yunnan White-Browed Gibbon is a rare and endemic species in China, and its survival reflects the health of the ecosystem. Protecting this species is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance.

Observation Locations

1. Dehong Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (德宏州野生动物收容救护中心)

  • Location: Dehong Prefecture (德宏州), Yunnan Province.
  • Description: The center has successfully bred several white-browed gibbons, including a healthy infant born in October 2024. Visitors can observe captive-bred gibbons here.
  • Visiting: Requires prior contact and permission.

2. Gaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve (高黎贡山国家级自然保护区)

  • Location: Baoshan City (保山市), Yunnan Province.
  • Description: One of the primary habitats of the Yunnan White-Browed Gibbon, with multiple populations. The reserve’s Dabanchang Gibbon Research Station (大板厂白眉长臂猿科研监测站) conducts long-term monitoring and research.
  • Visiting: Requires application through the reserve management for ecological tours or research activities.

3. Baoshan City (保山市)

  • Location: Baoshan City, Yunnan Province.
  • Description: Known as the “Hometown of White-Browed Gibbons in China,” Baoshan is a key habitat area with multiple reserves and natural corridors.
  • Visiting: Contact local wildlife protection departments or reserve management for visiting and conservation programs.

4. Zoos

  • Location: Various zoos in China.
  • Description: Zoos such as Nanning Zoo (南宁动物园), Nanchang Zoo (南昌动物园), and Guiyang Forest Wildlife Park (贵阳森林野生动物园) house white-browed gibbons, offering the public a chance to observe them up close.
  • Visiting: Direct visits to the zoos.

Precautions

  • Conservation Awareness: As a critically endangered species, visitors must follow protection regulations to avoid disturbing their lives.
  • Advance Booking: Visits to reserves or rescue centers require prior booking and permission.
  • Eco-Tourism: Choose accredited eco-tourism programs to minimize environmental impact.

Summary

The Yunnan White-Browed Gibbon (高黎贡白眉长臂猿) is a critically endangered primate species endemic to China, primarily distributed in the Gaoligong Mountains (高黎贡山) in western Yunnan Province. They can be observed at the Dehong Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (德宏州野生动物收容救护中心), Gaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve (高黎贡山国家级自然保护区), and certain zoos such as Nanning Zoo (南宁动物园) and Nanchang Zoo (南昌动物园). Visitors must follow conservation guidelines and make prior arrangements to help protect this rare species.