Wildlife Guide · South-east Asia & China

Gibbon

Family Hylobatidae — ~20 species in 4 genera (Hylobates, Hoolock, Nomascus, Symphalangus)

The singing lesser apes of Asian rainforest — acrobats of the canopy, vanishing as forests fall.

Varies by species (Endangered to Critically Endangered)

A white-handed gibbon hanging from a branch with long arms outstretched, its expressive face turned toward the camera in tropical forest canopy.

Image: Source: Wikimedia Commons — verify license before production

In brief

Gibbons are tailless lesser apes of South-east Asian rainforest, brachiating through the canopy in monogamous family groups; most species are Endangered or Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated June 2026

Gibbons are small apes of the family Hylobatidae, native to the tropical and subtropical forests of South-east Asia. Unlike monkeys, gibbons are tailless apes — placing them closer to orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees than to tailed primates. They are celebrated for brachiation: swinging hand-over-hand through the canopy at speeds exceeding 50 km/h. Roughly 20 gibbon species are recognised, grouped into four genera. Most are Endangered or Critically Endangered due to deforestation, the illegal pet trade and hunting. Gibbons live in monogamous family groups and defend territories with spectacular dawn duets that carry for kilometres through the forest.

~20

Recognised gibbon species

50+ km/h

Brachiation speed through the canopy

Appendix I

CITES listing — commercial trade banned

Endangered

Status of most species on the IUCN Red List

Figures sourced from IUCN Red List — Hylobatidae assessments, Gibbon Conservation Alliance, CITES — Checklist of CITES Species .

Gibbon: Quick Facts

Vital statistics and key facts about the Gibbon
Common name	Gibbon (lesser ape)
Species	~20 recognised species
Tail	Absent — like all apes
Social unit	Monogamous family group
Locomotion	Brachiation through the canopy
CITES	Appendix I — all species

Scientific Classification

Scientific classification of the Gibbon
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Primates
Suborder	Haplorhini
Family	Hylobatidae (gibbons)

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Most species Endangered or Critically Endangered. Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus) is Critically Endangered with fewer than 40 individuals.
Population: Varies by species — from fewer than 40 (Hainan) to tens of thousands (some Hylobates)
Trend: Decreasing for most species due to habitat loss
Assessed: Varies by species (IUCN Red List ongoing)
CITES: Appendix I — all gibbon species

Key Facts: Gibbon

Gibbons are lesser apes — tailless, like orangutans and chimpanzees, unlike monkeys.
They brachiate hand-over-hand through the canopy, covering up to 10 m per swing.
Monogamous pairs defend territories with loud dawn duets that identify the species.
Most gibbon species are Endangered or Critically Endangered due to deforestation.
Infants are taken from the wild for the illegal pet trade after mothers are killed.
Gibbons need intact primary forest — they cannot survive in oil palm or logged woodland.

Lesser apes of the canopy

Gibbons belong to the superfamily Hominoidea alongside great apes and humans, but form their own family, Hylobatidae. They are the smallest apes — typically 5–10 kg — with extraordinarily long arms, hook-shaped hands and reduced thumbs adapted for swinging. Unlike great apes, gibbons do not build nests; they sleep sitting upright in trees. Four genera are recognised: Hylobates (white-handed and agile gibbons), Hoolock (western and eastern hoolock gibbons of India and Myanmar), Nomascus (crested gibbons of Vietnam, Laos and China) and Symphalangus (siamang, the largest gibbon). Each species has a distinctive song, allowing identification by ear alone.

Threats and the pet trade

Deforestation is the primary threat. South-east Asia has lost vast areas of lowland rainforest to oil palm, rubber, logging and dam construction. Gibbons cannot cross open ground between forest fragments; isolated groups face inbreeding and local extinction. Hunting for food and traditional medicine persists in some areas. The illegal pet trade is particularly cruel: adult gibbons are shot to capture dependent infants, which are sold as pets or for tourist photo props. Gibbons are poor pets — they need vast enclosures, lifelong pair bonds and specialist diets. Most confiscated gibbons cannot be released and require lifetime sanctuary care.

Conservation and recovery

CITES lists all gibbon species on Appendix I, banning commercial international trade. Protected areas and wildlife corridors are essential for connecting fragmented populations. Captive breeding programmes at zoos and sanctuaries support reintroduction efforts for species such as the Hainan gibbon — the world's rarest ape, with fewer than 40 individuals. Community-based forest patrols and ecotourism that values living gibbons over dead ones have helped stabilise some populations. WARN's orangutan work in Indonesia and Malaysia overlaps gibbon range, where shared habitat protection benefits all arboreal apes.

What WARN Does

WARN funds orangutan habitat protection and anti-trafficking work in Indonesia and Malaysia — range countries where gibbons share the same threatened rainforest. This gibbon guide is free public education connecting readers to the wider primate crisis in South-east Asia.

If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.

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Gibbon: Frequently Asked Questions

Are gibbons monkeys or apes?

Gibbons are apes — specifically lesser apes. They are tailless, like orangutans and chimpanzees, and belong to the superfamily Hominoidea. Monkeys have tails and belong to separate evolutionary branches.

How many gibbon species are there?

Roughly 20 species are recognised across four genera: Hylobates, Hoolock, Nomascus and Symphalangus (siamang). Taxonomy continues to be refined as genetic studies reveal new species.

Why do gibbons sing?

Gibbon pairs perform loud dawn duets to defend their territory, strengthen pair bonds and advertise their presence to neighbours. Each species has a distinctive song, allowing identification without visual contact.

Are gibbons endangered?

Most gibbon species are Endangered or Critically Endangered. The Hainan gibbon is the rarest ape on Earth, with fewer than 40 individuals. Habitat loss and the pet trade are the main threats.

Where do gibbons live?

Gibbons live in tropical and subtropical rainforest across South-east Asia, including Borneo, Sumatra, China and north-east India. Roughly 20 species need intact primary forest — they cannot survive in oil palm plantations or logged woodland. Monogamous family groups defend territories of roughly 20–50 hectares through dawn duets that carry over two kilometres. Most species are Endangered or Critically Endangered; the Hainan gibbon numbers fewer than 40 individuals.

Are gibbons dangerous?

Gibbons are not dangerous to people in the wild. These tailless lesser apes live high in the rainforest canopy, brachiating hand-over-hand at speeds exceeding 50 km/h. They avoid ground contact and cannot cross open farmland between forest fragments. The main risk from gibbons is to the animals themselves: adult gibbons are shot so infants can be taken for the illegal pet trade. CITES Appendix I bans commercial international trade in all gibbon species.

How big is a gibbon?

Gibbons are the smallest apes, typically weighing 5–10 kg with extraordinarily long arms and hook-shaped hands adapted for brachiating through the canopy. The siamang (Symphalangus) is the largest gibbon genus. Roughly 20 recognised species swing hand-over-hand at speeds exceeding 50 km/h, covering up to 10 m per swing. Unlike great apes, gibbons do not build nests and sleep sitting upright in trees.

Sources & References

Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.

Terms used on this page

Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.

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