Silvery Gibbon

(Hylobates moloch)


Facts

Silvery Gibbon 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
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 4000-4500 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

Silvery Gibbon

 

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 Indonesia establish such programmes within its zoos.

 

How this animal should be kept

The enclosures for one pair with offspring have to be of the following extent:

  1. Outdoor enclosure (Minimum area): 80 m²
  2. Indoor enclosure (Minimum area): 30 m²
  3. Enclosure hight (Minimum hight - closed at the top of the enclosure): 5 m

 

In- and outdoor enclosures are both necessary. All-year access to the outdoor enclosure (with two or more entries respectively exits) must be guaranteed at least during the day.

 

The temperature in the inner room mustn?t be less then 15° C. Additionally, there have to be some selective places warmed up with radiant heater.

 

The enclosure facilities have to contain provisions for climbing and swinging which enables the animals to swing and move hand over hand, seating accommodations in different hights, screens, niches or other possibilities to back out as well as barriers. The enclosure room must be appropriable for swinging and moving hand over hand through a corresponding large and high construction. In closed enclosures there have to be some facilities for climbing affixed to the ceiling.

 

Keeping has to be in pairs.

 

Several times, but at least three times every day a diet of miscellaneous fruits and vegetables, adequate animal proteins as well as food enrichment has to be offered.