Gibbon SPOTTED in Huay Pakoot
Gibbon SPOTTED in Huay Pakoot
By Gemma Annan, volunteer leader
I first heard the white-handed gibbons (also
known as Lar gibbons) in the forest on December 31st whilst on our
hike to find the elephants. Some people were sceptical at first but I knew the
call belonged to gibbons. Their call is like no other- it starts with a loud wooooping
sound then continues to woop; asending and desending in pitch using its sound
amplifying throat sac. The call is slightly eerie and is certainly one not
forgotten.
Since my arrival in mid-December we have
heard gibbons in two separate locations of the forest on several occasions, this
is extremely exciting as gibbons are endangered and very rare outside protected
areas in Northern Thailand due to habitat loss and hunting. So the fact they
are living in Huay pakoot is pretty special. Never did I expect I’d get the
chance to actually see one.
Wednesday morning volunteers were given the
opportunity to do an ele or a biodiversity hike by the river. most volunteers opted to go see the eles with Rosie(volunteer leader) and I took out three
vols on a 45 minute hike to reach a serine, beautiful part of the river. After
some exploration and a fairly long walk along the river (including lots of wet river crossings!) we headed up a
forested hill to make our way back onto the dirt road. Half way up the hill we
heard the famous gibbon calls.
We sat and listened, binoculars and camera at
the ready. After five minutes or so Anya spotted a black figure moving in the
trees directly opposite us on the other side of the river, there was lots of
excitement as we realised IT WAS A GIBBON and we had full visual of it. It sat
on a branch for a brief while then swung through the tree canopy and
disappeared not to be heard again during our visit. I do not know if it was
male or female as there is little sexual dimorphism but the sight of a gibbon
swinging through the trees is just epic!!!
The volunteers and I were shocked, amazed and so so happy. I could
not believe I’d just witnessed a gibbon in its natural habitat and in the”real”
WILD! No tourists, no fenced in area and no fuss, just us four girls and nature
at its best!
And what’s extra cool is as far as we are aware the photos I took of
the gibbon are the first photos taken by GVI in this forest of Huay Pakoot!
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