HAIKOU /China/, June 22. /The number of gibbons living on Hainan Island has increased to 42, their population has grown about five times over the past 40 years, Hainan Daily reported with reference to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of the People's Republic of China.
According to the department, the forests of the southernmost Chinese province are now inhabited by seven groups of these rare primates, while in the 70s of last century there were only two. The improvement of the situation is noted to be connected with the improvement of conditions for long-distance migration of these animals, which usually move in the crowns of trees.
The Hainan authorities have also introduced new, more comprehensive technologies that make it possible to more effectively track the location of gibbons. This project is being carried out with the participation of several Chinese universities, including the National Parks Institute, Sun Yat-sen University (southern Guangdong Province) and Hainan University. Their work has led to a better understanding of animal habitats and several biodiversity conservation issues.
Specialists found that the average age of these primates on the island in 2022 and 2023 continued to decline, there was a rejuvenation of the population. The paper noted that all the necessary conditions for successful reproduction of gibbons were created. However, it will take a long time for them to move out of the endangered species list, according to scientists. It is estimated that the number of adult animals should exceed 250 for stable preservation of the species.
Hainan gibbons live in the central and southern part of the island. They prefer to live in the crowns of trees at a height of about 10 meters, which makes it very difficult to control these primates, which do not breed well in artificial conditions. These mammals eat both plant food and small animals. In China, they are protected by the state.