Hainan Gibbon

Why in news?

• Artificial rope bridge between fragmented habitats is helping the survival of Hainan Gibbons, as per a new study.
• The bridges were established for making the travel between forest patches easier for the gibbons, after Typhoon Rammasun caused a massive landslide in Hainan in May 2015, causing massive gaps in the gibbons’ habitat.

About Hainan Gibbons:

• The Hainan black-crested gibbon or Hainan gibbon is a species of gibbon found only on Hainan Island, China.
• Hainan black-crested gibbons are under grave threat of extinction are currently identified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
• The most recent count found 22 Hainan gibbons split between two families, one of 11 and one of seven members, with four loners, all residing in Bawangling National Nature Reserve on Hainan Island.
• Habitat loss is the primary cause in the decline of the Hainan gibbon; poaching has also been a problem.
• Their main area of occupancy is known as the primary forest where the gibbons typically live in trees that are ten meters or taller.
• Hainan gibbons use their long arms to swing from tree to tree, enabling them to easily gather forest fruits and are generally fearful of moving on the ground
• The Hainan gibbon is considered an umbrella species for the Hainan Island.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Which of the following species, recently in news, are considered critically endangered:
1.Asiatic cheetah
2.Western hoolock gibbon
3.Chinese river dolphin
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a)1 and 3 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)2 only
(d)1,2 and 3 only

Answer to prelims question