The Species: Gibbon
A top priority for the MOSAIC project
| Scientific name | Nomascus leucogenys |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Status in Vietnam | Endangered |
| Endemism | Vietnam and Lao PDR |
Yellow-cheeked crested gibbon
| Scientific name | Nomascus gabriellae |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Status in Vietnam | Endangered |
| Endemism | Vietnam and Lao PDR |
Gibbons are undoubtedly the world's most endangered apes. Both the white-cheeked crested gibbon and yellow-cheeked crested gibbon, found in Vietnam are classed as vulnerable, although information is still insufficient to accurately asses their current status.
Because of the serious threats they face, and because they are endemic to Indochina, gibbons are a top priority for the MOSAIC project.
Gibbons are easy to survey and monitor because of their distinct call, a loud wail, which they use to advertise their territories. Because of this, gibbons could act as an indicator species in provincial forest monitoring.
Gibbons have the longest arms (relative to body size) of all species of primates, enabling them to move hand over hand through the branches of the trees propelled only by their forelimbs, without the use of a tail. This special characteristic, while not the most efficient form of locomotion and somewhat dangerous, allows gibbons to reach the ends of thin branches.
Being an arboreal mammal, gibbons have few enemies except for large birds, tree snakes, possibly clouded leopards, and humans who have hunted them for food and traditional medicines to such an extent that very few are left in the forests.
MOSAIC is working with the Quang Nam Forest Protection Department to survey, census and conserve these primates with the support of the USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
