Research Goals
Establish a transboundary Skywalker gibbon conservation committee.
This project will organize Myanmar and international stakeholders to form a committee focused on guiding conservation action plans within Myanmar, in coordination with ongoing conservation efforts in China. Our group will include a broad spectrum of gibbonologists, conservationists, primatologists and government representatives in order to insure maximum sustainability of recommended conservation actions.
Conduct habitat viability assessments in suspected Myanmar Skywalker gibbon range.
Skywalker gibbons are not known to occur in any protected areas in Myanmar. As a result, existing populations are likely subject to greater pressures from habitat degradation, hunting and trade. This project will generate data on potential strongholds for the Skywalker gibbon and will be highly valuable for prioritizing geographic regions for preservation..
Update the IUCN Redlist status for the Skywalker gibbon.
The current Skywalker gibbon IUCN Redlist status is based on population census work conducted in China and limited available field survey data from Myanmar, where more than 98% of the population is believed to range. With this project, we will update the IUCN Redlist status for the Skywalker gibbon to include existing Myanmar population survey data and fill needed data gaps in newly accessible regions of northeast Myanmar, to more accurately represent the species status.
Build Capacity for Myanmar’s Next Generation of Primate Scientists.
This project will support the dissertation activities of a Myanmar graduate student in primatology and wildlife ecology. Through establishing greater regional expertise in topics related to the conservation of primates, our goal is to strengthen the long-term sustainability of conservation efforts in Myanmar.