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Population of rare gibbons on Hainan increased to 35 specimen

The authorities launched a program to restore forests that are vital for these animals

HAIKOU, September 6. /TASS/. The population of Hainan gibbons, which live only on Hainan and are on the verge of extinction, has increased by two, according to an online press conference organized by the World Conservation Congress (WCC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the cities of Haikou and Marseille.

Huang Jincheng, secretary of the party committee of the Hainan Provincial Forestry Administration, said that two newborn gibbons were seen in the Rainforest National Park. Observing them, according to him, showed that the primates are healthy and grow normally. Thus, the population of gibbons on Hainan currently, according to official figures, has 35 individuals who live in five family groups.

Due to uncontrolled hunting and large-scale deforestation, the number of Hainan gibbons by the 80s of the 20th century decreased from 2,000 to seven. In order to save them from complete extinction, the government created a special reserve. At the same time, the authorities launched a program to restore forests that are vital for these animals. As a result, over 100,000 trees have been planted over the past 20 years.

The Hainan gibbons (under state protection) are the oldest surviving gibbons in the world. This species is found only in China. They prefer to live in tree crowns at a height of about 10 m. It is very diffucult to control them, it is very difficult to control their reproduction in artificial conditions as well.

The Hainan gibbon has been designated an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, topping the list of 25 endangered primate species in the world.

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