This species uses all levels of the tropical evergreen forests they inhabit, although they prefer the mid canopy. Fruits make up the majority of their diet, but they can also forage on 160 different plant species, bird eggs and insects if necessary. Siamang gibbons are monogamous and do not usually take a new mate if their first partner dies. In combination with their long generation time of 15 years, this makes population recovery slow. Their large throat sac gives them a loud call which travels 2km for territory marking and social calls.
Fun Fact – Their arm length can be 2.6 times their body length, helping them to jump up to 10m between branches!
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Ecology
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Threats
As a charismatic species, gibbons are threatened by poaching for the pet trade and human consumption, even in protected areas. Their strict territoriality limits their inclination to disperse in response to disturbances such as fires, which also have a drastic impact on infant survival rates. In some countries, 60% of their already restricted habitat is projected to be lost by 2050 due to increasing forest loss for development and agriculture.
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Conservation
Local laws and its CITES Appendix I listing protect the species throughout its range, though the extent of the protection offered in reality is unknown. A large captive population is spread around the world, offering hope for the future, but much more in situ conservation is needed, especially through habitat restoration, wildlife corridors and enforcement of poaching laws. The samples stored by Nature’s SAFE are an important step to safeguarding the future of this important primate.
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Preserved January 2024
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Sumatran laughing thrush
Total Population: 2,500 - 10,000 in the wild
Brandt’s vole
Total Population: Unknown
Black-naped fruit dove
Total Population: Unknown
Red-footed tortoise
Total Population: Unknown
Patagonian Sea Lion
Total Population: 222,500 to 265,000 in the wild
Black tree monitor
Total Population: Unknown
White naped mangabey
Total Population: Around 1,000 in the wild
African penguin
Total Population: Less than 40,000 in the wild
Smew
Total Population: Around 80,000 in the wild
Azara’s agouti
Total Population: Unknown
Fea’s tree frog
Total Population: Unknown
Nile Lechwe
Total Population: 30,000 - 40,000 in the wild
Asian short-clawed otter
Total Population: Unknown
Orange-headed thrush
Total Population: Unknown
Hyacinth macaw
Total Population: Around 6,500 in the wild
Inca Tern
Total Population: Around 150,000 in the wild
Guianan Squirrel Monkey
Total Population: Around 150,000 in the wild
Macaroni Penguin
Total Population: Around 12 million
Hamerkop
Total Population: Unknown
South American fur seal
Total Population: Around 200,000 in the wild