Abbott’s Gray Gibbon Hylobates abbotti

Abbott’s Gray Gibbon Hylobates abbotti

Endangered

Indonesia (Kalimantan); Malaysia (Sarawak)

The Abbott’s Gray Gibbon belongs to the genus Hylobates. The word Hylobates means ‘Forest Walker’ in Greek. The gibbons in this genus are known for the white circle of fur around their faces. They are known to communicate in species-specific song when defining territory or attracting mates. They sing in regional accents to each other, have long swinging arms, inquisitive natures and superior acrobatic skills, they spend most of their lives high up in the tree-tops.

The Abbott’s Gray Gibbons sing local accents, they’re endangered in #Kalimantan #Indonesia and #Malaysia due to threats incl. #deforestation for #palmoil and #agriculture. Support this species’ survival by joining the #Boycott4Wildlife

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These gibbons are threatened by habitat loss due the expansion of agricultural plantations, clear-felling for timber and, to a lesser extent, selective logging, all of which are exacerbated by forest fires associated with El Niño events.

The Abbott’s Gray Gibbon lives in primary and secondary semi-deciduous monsoon, dipterocarp, tropical evergreen forest, and logged forest (tolerant to a certain extent and in the condition that fruit-bearing trees are still retained). Their diet includes young leaves, fruits, flowers, and insects. This species is yet to be studied in the wild for a better understanding of ecology. Hylobates abbotti is considered Endangered under Criterion A4cd, based on an overall suspected population reduction of 50% or more over the previous generation (2004-2018), which is expected to continue impacting the next two generations (2019-2048).

Illegal hunting and live capture for the pet trade pose additional threats (Bartlett 2007, Campbell et al. 2008, 2015, Cheyne et al. 2016).

Support this animal’s survival

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project

Further Information

Cheyne, S.M. & Nijman, V. 2020. Hylobates abbotti. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39889A17990882. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39889A17990882.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

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