Zoo Animals

White-Handed Gibbon

The white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar) is a small, tree-dwelling primate found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These gibbons are easily recognizable by their long arms, which are perfectly adapted for their primary mode of travel, brachiation—a graceful form of swinging from branch to branch. Their white hands and feet, contrasting with their dark fur, are their most distinctive feature.

White-handed gibbons are known for their loud, melodic calls, which can travel for miles through the forest. These calls serve as territorial markers and a way for mates to communicate. They are monogamous animals, often forming lifelong bonds with their partners. Together, they care for their offspring and defend their territory from other gibbons.

Their diet consists mainly of fruit, leaves, and flowers, making them important seed dispersers in their ecosystems. However, habitat loss due to deforestation and illegal pet trade have severely threatened their populations. White-handed gibbons are classified as Endangered, and conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and anti-poaching measures to ensure their survival.