"You have helped not only thousands of primates, but also brought hope to all those who care about them and their suffering at human hands. And the numbers of those who care has increased a thousand fold because of the awareness IPPL has raised in countries around the world."

Dr Jane Goodall DBE

Save the Gibbon

Photo of a gibbon in a tree

Gibbons and their habitats are under threat

Excluding us humans, there are five apes, four of which are considered ‘great’, leaving the gibbon, which is categorised as the ‘lesser ape’. Though this is just based on a few slight anatomical and behavioural differences, this has meant that the gibbon is excluded from many great ape fundraising and campaigning initiatives.

So while most of us have heard about the plight of the great apes, it is less commonly known that the gibbon is actually the most endangered ape of all. All 16 species of gibbon are threatened: four are currently classified as ‘critically endangered’ by the IUCN, 11 as ‘endangered’, and one as ‘vulnerable’. Gibbons also include the most critically endangered primate on earth, the Hainan gibbon (Nomascus nasutus hainanus), with less than 25 thought to be left in the wild.

It is due to their low profile but urgent conservation status, that IPPL is launching the Save the Gibbon campaign to raise awareness and funds for gibbon conservation.

Gibbons are amazing creatures; they are known for their spectacular swings and leaps. They are also talented singers. They usually mate for life and each pair develops their own unique duet. It is thought to help strengthen the bond between them as well as marking out their territory.

→Find out more at the special campaign website

→Donate to our Save the Gibbon appeal