By Jessie Knierim | Development Associate
The first two pairs of pileated gibbons we released into the forest surrounding the ancient temples of Angkor are well. They have adapted perfectly and have now produced three wild-born babies between them, Chung-ruth, being the youngest infant, born in July 2017. We continue to monitor them and provide supplementary food, which acts as a management tool rather than provision of sustenance, which they no longer need.
A third pair of gibbons were released earlier this year but, unfortunately, had to be recaptured after the female became aggressive towards the keepers providing supplemental food. Fortunately, a new gibbon pair, born at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center has been identified as ideal candidates for this release program. The gibbons have been given a clean bill of health, but are still quite young and may require a longer acclimatization period in forest enclosures than usual.
We are disappointed in the recent turn of events, but things had been progressing well and were due for a obstacle. We are still proud of this release program because no one has ever attempted to release this endangered species into Angkor, or anywhere in Cambodia. If it were easy, it would have been done before!
Thank you for your support of our efforts to rewild the Angkor forests!
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