The Gibbon Husbandry, Health, & Conservation Conference convened in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia, hosted by Gibbon Conservation Society (GCS) and the IUCN Section on Small Apes (SSA) early this October, bringing together husbandry experts, veterinarians, and gibbon rehabilitators to collaborate on gibbon health and conservation. VIEW was represented by Drs. Dawn Zimmerman and Jennifer Yu, who are leading a project to help advance gibbon health and welfare across Southeast Asia.
As part of our ongoing partnership with the IUCN Section on Small Apes (SSA), VIEW is committed to addressing the critical health challenges facing gibbons under rehabilitation. With 95% of gibbon species classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered, there has never been a more important time for collaborative action. The conference was a perfect platform to work with rehabilitation centers to identify key strategies to improve gibbon health and therefore numbers released back into the wild.
A highlight of the conference was the donation of two microscopes and accessory supplies from Project Animal Aid to the Gibbon Conservation Society and the Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Center in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Such basic yet essential clinical equipment will support their veterinary team in diagnosing and treating gibbons and other wildlife in their care, directly aiding their wildlife rehabilitation efforts.
Additionally, Drs. Dawn Zimmerman and Jennifer Yu led a day-long session on the Gibbon Health Working Group, which included a workshop on standardized protocols for gibbon diagnostics, disease screening, veterinary care, and release procedures. This working group, a crucial part of VIEW’s gibbon health project, focuses on capacity-building and knowledge-sharing between partners, veterinary professionals, and rehabilitation centers.
VIEW’s involvement in this conference builds on our broader efforts to create lasting impact in gibbon conservation. Through capacity-building, training programs, and establishing a secure database for sharing gibbon health data, we aim to improve the survival and welfare of these endangered primates.
Looking ahead, VIEW will continue to work closely with our partners to provide essential equipment and resources to support best practice health standards. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for gibbons and other endangered wildlife.
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