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The gibbons return - 14th October 2022

The jungle that surrounds Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple is once again rich with wildlife following decades of hunting, which devastated the wildlife in the area. The re-introduction of rare pileated gibbons has been particularly successful since the first pair was reintroduced in 2013. Nick Marx, a director at the Wildlife Alliance.

Nick Marx: "We have now released four different pairs of gibbons within the Angkor forest. And they have gone on to breed and now seven babies have been born in the forest in Angkor. So, the project is going very well."

Globally, gibbons are one of the most threatened families of primates. Moreover, the pileated gibbon is listed as endangered. The Cambodian rainforests have been stripped of much of their wildlife due to poaching and habitat loss through logging, agriculture, and dam building. Widespread poverty had also led to the animals being eaten as a source of protein.

The Angkor Wat temple and its surrounding forests were declared a world heritage site in 1992. This means it has benefited from increased legal and physical protections. The temple is the country’s most popular tourist site. It's hoped that the reintroduction of 40 different kinds of animals and birds will increase tourism and encourage conservation and education for tourists and locals.

Moeurn Sarin is a local villager who is helping to feed the gibbons.

Moeurn Sarin: "I am so happy to conserve and feed all of these animals that come and live in Angkor complex. When these animals grow up, young generation can see them and know animals that live in Angkor include gibbons and others."

For Nick Marx it’s the reuniting of Cambodia’s cultural heritage with its wildlife that gives him a sense of accomplishment.

Nick Marx: "Angkor is so beautiful! The forests are well-maintained and protected and well-maintained. -The amazing temples, surrounding the amazing temples - and it's such a cultural important site and it's it's iconic! Gibbons, beautiful charismatic species back into these wonderful temples in this wonderful forest, what more could you ask”?