An Interdisciplinary Examination and Assessment of Current Conservation Initiatives for Javan Gibbons (Hylobates moloch)
Protection of an Endangered species in its natural habitat should be at the forefront of conservation priorities, and necessary measures should be taken to ensure conservation programs use a holistic approach when developing initiatives aimed at conserving species in the wild. The research presented in this dissertation is comprised of four main components with the primary goal of contributing to Javan gibbon conservation initiatives: first, I conducted a literature review and used published data along with the computer simulation program, VORTEX, to create an updated Population Viability Analysis illustrating the long-term population viability of Javan gibbons with regards to current threats they face in the wild (habitat loss and the illegal pet trade); I investigated the illegal selling of gibbons through an extensive internet search on various social media platforms and compiled photographic evidence; through comparative analysis and published studies on gibbon reintroduction, as well as visits to both rescue centres in West Java, I provided an evaluation of the reintroduction program for Javan gibbons in West Java; and lastly, I utilised ethnographic methodology to explore local people’s perceptions regarding conservation, wildlife, specifically, Javan gibbons. Results from the PVA model indicate if the natural habitat of Javan gibbons further declines and if individual Javan gibbons continue to be taken out of the wild for the illegal pet trade, it is very likely the species will become extinct within this century. Photographic evidence from my investigation into the illegal pet trade further substantiated this as Javan gibbons were one of the most traded gibbons on Instagram and Facebook, and all of the sellers were from Indonesia. Both the Javan Gibbon Centre and The Aspinall Foundation are seeing success with regards to the pairs and family groups of Javan gibbons that have been released in the western part of the island, with all of the reintroduced gibbons exhibiting appropriate social and ecological behaviour. At least three infants have been born in the wild since 2014. After conducting over 100 interviews with local people living on the border of Gunung Gede- Pangrango National Park, West Java, results show the knowledge local people possess about conservation initiatives in the area, including the activities of Javan Gibbon Centre, was fairly limited. However, the majority of respondents from each of the five villages reported knowing that Javan gibbons are threatened with extinction and are a protected species by law (58% and 73% respectively) and 62% of local people knew it was illegal to keep a Javan gibbon for a pet. Adequate cooperation between researchers working with wild populations of Javan gibbons and reintroduction centres, would benefit to share knowledge so resources can be managed to achieve three conservation goals: (1) management and protection of wild populations and (2) rehabilitation, reintroduction, and management of the wild-born, captive-raised population, and, 3) focus more efforts on putting an end to the illegal pet trade. Ultimately, local people will have to be included in conservation initiatives if there is any hope of saving the Javan gibbon from extinction on the island of Java.
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