Silvery Gibbon
(Hylobates moloch)
Facts
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IUCN ENDANGERED (EN)
Facts about this animal
The Silvery Gibbon has a long, dense and shaggy fur. The colour is silvery grey in both sexes and all ages. The cap and chest are darker grey than the rest or even black. Both sexes have a pale brow-band. The face is black and naked, the ears are also black and not hidden in the fur. The weight is about 5.9 kg.
Did you know?
That all gibbon species are monogamous? Family groups consist of mated pair and offspring. They establish small, stable home ranges which they will defend.
| Factsheet | |
|---|---|
| Class | MAMMALIA |
| Order | PRIMATES |
| Suborder | SIMIAE |
| Family | HYLOBATIDAE |
| Name (Scientific) | Hylobates moloch |
| Name (English) | Silvery Gibbon |
| Name (French) | Gibbon cendré ou Gibbon argenté |
| Name (German) | Silbergibbon |
| Name (Spanish) | Gibón ceniciento |
| CITES Status | Appendix I |
| CMS Status | Not listed |
Photo Copyright by
Gerald Cubitt
Distribution
| Distribution | |
|---|---|
| Range | Java (Indonesia) |
| Habitat | Tropical Rainforest |
| Wild population | 4,000-4,500 individuals (1994-2002), in 15 different locations (Red List IUCN 2011) |
| Zoo population | 87 registered by the International studbook (incomplete data from Indonesia, 2004), 58 reported to ISIS (2006) |
In the Zoo
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How this animal should be transported
For air transport, Container Note 33 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.
Find this animal on ZooLex
Photo Copyright by
Karen Payne
Why do zoos keep this animal
The silvery gibbon has already lost 98% of its original habitat and the pressure on the remaining forest is extreme. Only an estimated 400 to 3000 silvery gibbons now exist in some 21 discontinuous forest patches. The current fragmented sub-populations are not sufficiently large to be considered evolutionally viable and will require active conservation management for long term survival. Ex situ breeding programmes established under an International Studbook (1991)also have a vital role to play in the survival of the species. Currently only a few silvery gibbons are held in zoos outside Indonesia in coordinated breeding programmes. These zoos participate also in in situ conservation projects. It is highly recommended that Indonesia establish such programmes within its zoos.