Bornean agile gibbon, Southern gibbon, Bornean agile gibbon
The Bornean white-bearded gibbon, (Hylobates albibarbis ), also known as the Bornean agile gibbon or southern gibbon, is a species of gibbon endemic to southern Borneo. It is an endangered species, due to the undergoing logging of the tropical forests, between the Kapuas and Barito rivers. Additional issues are of concern to the endangerment of white-bearded gibbons and threatening to other arboreal primates.
The white-bearded gibbon is very similar to other gibbons in their behaviour and their frugivorous diet. The Bornean white-bearded gibbon was formerly considered a subspecies of the agile gibbon but based on recent DNA research, some now classify it as a separate species.
The Bornean white-bearded gibbon is an endangered species of gibbon. They have a grey or dark brown fur, a black face, and white beard. Similar to other gibbons, these gibbons are tailless.
Bornean white-bearded gibbons are native to southern Borneo, ranging between the Kapuas and Barito rivers. These animals live in tropical forests.
Bornean white-bearded gibbons are diurnal animals that are active during the day. They tend to live in small family groups. These groups consist of a male, female, and their offspring. Bornean white-bearded gibbons express pair-bonding relationships and they do not make nests. Their mode of transportation is called brachiation, where they swing from branches to move around. They have been documented to swing up to 15 meters in a single leap and move as fast as 55 kilometers per hour. Apart from other primates, all gibbons walk bipedally and hold their long arms over their heads.
Bornean white-bearded gibbons are herbivorous (frugivorous) creatures. They depend on the abundant of fruit trees and figs. They may occasionally supplement their diet with leaves and insects.
Bornean white-bearded gibbons are monogamous animals and create strong pairs which remain together for life. Little is known about the reproductive behavior and raising the young of these animals.
Main threats to Bornean white-bearded gibbons are logging and mining. Since gibbons rely on dense and tall forest areas for safety and for traveling, this is a leading problem for the survival of White-bearded gibbons. Other threats for these animals include forest fires due to global warming and climate change.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Bornean white-bearded gibbon is unknown. However, there is an estimated population of the species in Sabangau (Kalimantan, Indonesia) consisting of 19,000 individuals. Overall Bornean white-bearded gibbons' numbers are decreasing today and they are classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.
Being frugivorous, Bornean white-bearded gibbons are important for seed dispersal within their ecosystem.
