Do you want to have your photo taken with a gibbon? Would you pay a gibbon tout for the opportunity? If you answered yes to the above questions, then a trip to the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) is perfect for you.
No, you will not get to hold a Gibbon. You will not even see one outside of a cage. However, you will learn about the devastating effect of tourism on these apes. Furthermore, you will learn what you can do to help them.
Even though gibbon touting is illegal, it is still very prevalent in Phuket. If you are approached by touter, who offers to take a photo of you holding a Gibbon you have a crucial decision to make… protect or pose!
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Dwayne and I, along with two friends visiting from Australia, went to visit the GRP. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time. We suggested the GRP, a walk to the waterfall and then lunch at our favourite restaurant nearby. Later that day, our guests said they were so glad they had made the long drive from Karon to see the Gibbons.
Upon arrival at the GRP, we were greeted by a volunteer, who asked us to fill in the guest book before she set to work explaining all about the Gibbons.
We learned some terrible facts, such as an entire family group of Gibbons are usually killed to get one baby. Sometimes the baby Gibbon the poacher is trying to capture, is killed or injured when they shoot its mother. Many more captured Gibbons will die in captivity due to stress, illness, injury, poor care and malnutrition.
At the GRP, you will learn about the process of rehabilitating a Gibbon. From Quarantine, where they assess and treat the Gibbons, to the ‘training cage’ deep in the forest where they learn to behave like animals again.
Terrible Facts of Gibbon Touting
Sadly, not every Gibbon will be released back into the wild. Some of the reasons for this is that many of the Gibbons suffer permanent mental or physical disability from their time in captivity. For example – Tam was beaten by her owner. By the time she arrived at the GRP, her wounds had festered, and the only way to prevent her from dying from blood poisoning was to amputate an arm and a leg. Tam will spend the rest of her life at the GRP because she is now unable to survive in the wild.
Gibbons that you do get to see, at the GRP, are the unfortunate Gibbons that will be never be released. The Gibbons getting ready to be reintroduced to the wild are some distance from the visitors as they try to break the Gibbon-human bond, and in some cases teach the Gibbon, to eat natural food. Disgustingly enough, some Gibbons have been bought up in captivity on junk food and cola. Some even have drug addictions and smoking habits they need to overcome.
When you visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, you will learn so much more. I am only just touching on the subject. So please do take the time to visit if you are in Phuket. Make a day of it with a swim in the waterfall and a delicious meal at Piang Prai Restaurant… I’m sure you won’t regret it.
So what can you do to help?
There are many ways you can help prevent the further destruction of these animals including –
- Say NO to animal tourism. Refuse animal touts. If you have your photo taken with a baby Gibbon, you are supporting the illegal wildlife trade.
- Visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project and spread the word. Tell people why you will not participate in animal tourism. Use social media as a weapon against poachers.
- Volunteer your time at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.
- Adopt a Gibbon.
- Donate and support this good cause.
- Purchase something at the fundraising shop at the GRP or online.
- Our friends mentioned that they had seen a gibbon being touting at Kata/Karon during their stay. When we ask at the GRP, what we should do if we see this illegal activity being carried out, they suggested that instead of telling the police, due to frequent bribery, we should email rescue@gibbonproject.org or call 1136 with the details of where you saw the animal and when.
Gibbon Facts
- Most Gibbon species are endangered due to loss of habitat, poaching for pets or tourism, and they are killed for use in traditional medicines.
- Gibbons are apes (monkeys have tails).
- There are 18 species of Gibbons. They vary in colour from cream, brown and black.
- Gibbons live in a family group and are monogamous, which is a rare trait among primates.
- One baby is born after about seven months’ gestation (it varies with species) and it takes seven years to mature.
- They can live up to 25 years, grow in height to 64cm and can weigh up to 13kg.
- Gibbons are arboreal.
- Unlike most apes, they do not build nests.
- They move from branch to branch via brachiation at speeds up to 55Km per hour and bridge gaps as large as 15 metres.
- Gibbons are social animals.
- A Gibbon’s diet consists of 60% fruit. They also consume twigs, leaves, flowers, insects and occasionally bird eggs.
More Information
Currency
THB – Thai Baht is written here as ฿
Visiting the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Cost – It is free to visit the GRP; however, it is set in the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, and you will need to pay the fee to enter the park. Unfortunately, the GRP does not receive any entrance fees toward Gibbon care.
National Park Entrance Fee – ฿200
Location – click here for directions.
Open – Sunday to Friday from 09:00 to 16.30 and Saturday from 09:00 to 15:00.
Contact
Office – 104/3 Moo 3 Paklock, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand
Phone – + 66 76 260 492
Email – grp@gibbonproject.org
Website – https://www.gibbonproject.org/
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project – Social Media
Accommodation
We typically book our accommodation through booking.com. We like the convenience of booking online, and we are usually able to pay for our accommodation on arrival at the hotel/resort or room. booking.com advertise many different accommodation styles in Phuket, so you are sure to find the perfect place.
More Accommodation
21 Budget Places to Stay in Thailand
iVisa
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Photo credit – “Mom + Baby Gibbon” and “Gibbon Playing in a Ball” by Eric Kilby / “Gibbon” by Becker1999
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