After 20 years of successfully breeding the critically endangered Javan Gibbon at its two parks, The Aspinall Foundation is further developing its conservation efforts for this species. The charity is supporting survey work for the Javan Gibbons, as little is known about their status in the wild. In the future the charity plans to begin a reintroduction programme to reintroduce the rescued and rehabilitated gibbons back into protected areas of forest on Java.
At present, there are only 33 Javan Gibbons outside of Indonesia, held at seven zoos around the world. These zoos are cooperating in the captive breeding programme, although there are only six pairs, which are producing offsprings. Howletts has bred 55 Javan Gibbons, and is the biggest breeder of the species in the world.
Source: Diary 2009, Howletts & Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks
