Dense and tranquil forests provide a sanctuary for the world’s largest population of pileated gibbons.
About two-thirds of the 47,000 gibbons remaining worldwide inhabit the biodiversity-rich Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary, covering the kingdom’s north-central region.
This thick rainforest area is considered one of the largest remaining lowland forests in South-East Asia.
“Our surveys show that Prey Lang is a vital refuge for pileated gibbons, not just for Cambodia but for the survival of the species globally,” Wild Earth Allies Cambodia Conservation Manager Neang Thy said.
The Indochina rainforest is a native home to the endangered species commonly known as the “crowned” or “capped” gibbon, named for its distinctive crown-like appearance.
Their habit of singing while hopping from tree to tree makes them a unique species within the gibbon family.
The global population of pileated gibbons has declined by half since the 1970s, largely due to hunting and habitat loss.
But in Prey Lang forest, they continue to survive in over 5,000sq km, which also includes eight distinct forest types, supporting a wide diversity of life, according to Wild Earth Allies.
At least 18 threatened mammals live there – including the Asian elephant, the Malayan sun bear and the Malayan box turtle.
“As a tree-dwelling species, pileated gibbons depend on intact forests to survive. Gibbons help shape their habitat by dispersing seeds as they travel through the canopy. Their movement supports plant diversity and forest regeneration,” said the organisation.
Despite Cambodia’s strong commitment to the protection of Prey Lang, illegal logging continues to endanger gibbons and other at-risk wildlife.
Roads and clear-cut areas can fragment gibbon habitat and isolate groups, increasing the risk of local extinction, said Wild Earth Allies. — Bernama
