RSSNewsletterSiteMapFeedback

Home · Weather · Forum · Learning Chinese · Jobs · Shopping
Search This Site
China | International | Business | Government | Environment | Olympics/Sports | Travel/Living in China | Culture/Entertainment | Books & Magazines | Health
Home / Environment / News Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
Hainan gibbons on the most endangered list
Adjust font size:

The Hainan black-crested gibbon has been included among the world's 25 most endangered primate species, according to a report being released today by three international conservation organizations in the southern island province.

The report is compiled by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the International Primatological Society in collaboration with Conservation International.

Other endangered species include the greater bamboo lemur in Madagascar, the Cross River gorilla in Nigeria and Cameroon, and the Roloway monkey in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. All the animals on the list are found in developing countries of Africa, Asia and South America.

"Poaching and shrinking habitats have been the two major reasons behind the sharp decline in the black-crested gibbon's population," Lu Gang, a conservation officer based in Hainan, said.

According to the report, about 2,000 lived across the island's 12 counties in the 1950s; but only 21 were found by the end of 1980s, all restricted to Bawangling Nature Reserve.

The most urgent need is to secure and expand the habitat for the remaining gibbons, said Lu, who works for Hong Kong-based Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG).

Since 2004, KFBG has been helping the reserve grow pine trees around the gibbons' habitat. "We have grown 136 hectares of endemic plants in the reserve," Lu said. "After they grow to full size, they will provide more food to Hainan gibbons."

Thanks to the improved ecological situation, "we recorded three newborn gibbons this year," Bosco Chan, senior conservation officer of KFBG, told China Daily.

A joint survey by KFBG and the nature reserve in 2003 found two groups of gibbons, and two lone males, comprising a total of 13.

Since then, the organization has spent more than 1 million yuan (US$131,400) in supporting the reserve to monitor the gibbons and help restore their degenerated habitats, said Lu.

There have been no poaching cases for quite a few years, said Wang Wenyi, head of research of the reserve administration.

"To keep a closer eye on the gibbons, eight of our patrolmen have been monitoring the gibbons," Wang said. "We have to make sure that the gibbons will never suffer from poaching again.

(China Daily October 26, 2007)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read

Comment
Username   Password   Anonymous
 
China Archives
Related >>
- Gibbon and Her Young One
- Rare Pregnant Gibbon Found in Hainan Province
- Rare Gibbons Found in SW China
- 15 Endangered Gibbons Found in SW. China
Most Viewed >>
-Severe winter weather may persist for another week
-Battle goes on against snowstorms
-La Nina, atmospheric circulation blamed for snow disaster
-Salt tide afflicts Shanghai
-Frozen section of Yellow River extends further
Air Quality 
Cities Major Pollutant Air Quality Level
Beijing sulfur dioxide II
Shanghai particulate matter I
Guangzhou sulfur dioxide I
Chongqing particulate matter II
Xi'an particulate matter II
Most Read
-Severe winter weather may persist for another week
-Battle goes on against snowstorms
-La Nina, atmospheric circulation blamed for snow disaster
-Salt tide afflicts Shanghai
-Frozen section of Yellow River extends further
NGO Events Calendar Tips
- Hand in hand to protect endangered animals and plants
- Changchun, Mini-marathon Aimed at Protecting Siberian Tiger
- Water Walk by Nature University
- Green Earth Documentary Salon
- Prof. Maria E. Fernandez to Give a Lecture on Climate Change
More
Archives
UN meets on climate change
The UN Climate Change Conference brought together representatives of over 180 countries and observers from various organizations.
Panda Facts
A record 28 panda cubs born via artificial insemination have survived in 2006.
South China Karst
Rich and unique karst landforms located in south China display exceptional natural beauty.
Saving the Tibetan Antelopes
The rare animals survive in the harsh natural environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
More
Laws & Regulations
- Forestry Law of the People's Republic of China
- Meteorology Law of the People's Republic of China
- Fire Control Law of the People's Republic of China
- Law on Protecting Against and Mitigating Earthquake Disasters
- Law of the People's Republic of China on Conserving Energy
More
Links:
State Environmental Protection Administration
Ministry of Water Resources
Ministry of Land and Resources
China Environmental Industry Network
Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base
SiteMap | About Us | RSS | Newsletter | Feedback

Copyright © China.org.cn. All Rights Reserved E-mail: webmaster@china.org.cn Tel: 86-10-88828000 京ICP证 040089号