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Gibbon Rehabilitation Project - Phuket

The first and only project in world that able to release pre-captived gibbons back to the wild. Since 1994, the Gibbon Rehabiliation Project aims to save gibbons and their rainforest habitat through rehabilitation and education. Through the education program we aim to reduce poaching and deforestation, to gain support for our project and for the conservation movement in Thailand. The GRP is an effective resource for teaching the local community and foreign tourists.

The GRP works with White-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar), the most widespread of the four species of gibbon found in Thailand.

The only way to capture a baby gibbon is the shoot the mother. Only one baby in three manages to survive the capture process. Usually these baby gibbons are illegally sold as pets or for tourist’s attractions. Sometimes they end up in bar, being taunted by tourists and forced to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Often they die from infectious diseases from humans and dogs. This means that for every healthy adult gibbon in captivity up to ten may have died. Their solitary existence is a far cry from the family life they would have in the wild.

When gibbons reach sexual maturity at six or seven year old, they can become aggressive. They then lose their value, either as family pets or as bar attractions, and are usually abandoned or killed. If they are kept their canines are filed down or removed. Many are chained up or crammed into tiny cages allowing little movement.

Project Objectives

Through the education of visitors at our Centre for Conservation, Education and Fund-Raising, the GRP hopes to create awareness of the plight of the captive gibbon and to the role that tourism plays in the demand for baby gibbons. 

Develop a method to successfully rehabilitate white-handed gibbons back into their natural habitat:
The GRP has been testing methods of reintroduction for the past 10 years.  Every reintroduction is a learning opportunity.  Reintroductions remain a relatively new division of the conservation movement as well as uncharted terrain for research. 

To repopulate the last remaining rainforest in Phuket – Khao Phra Thaew non-hunting area (National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department):
The gibbons were poached to extinction in Phuket over 30 years ago.  The GRP hopes to repopulate this forest through the rehabilitation of gibbons that were previously being held in captivity.  The GRP has successfully reintroduced group in October of 2002, a second family in August 2003 and plans to reintroduce many more in the near future.

To create awareness of the importance of conservation of the environment:
The GRP is also an effective resource for teaching the local community about the importance of conservation.  The GRP runs education programs to enable local villagers and children to see the forest and its animals as an essential life supporting source.  

Provide the opportunity for volunteers to research the white-handed gibbon:
Volunteers come from all over the world to study the white-handed gibbon.  The gibbons at the GRP allow for the many forms of research, such as reintroduction methods, behavioural research of both captive and released gibbons, and research into diseases of gibbons in captivity.

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Volunteer Tasks

Volunteer will work six day a week. There are different in start and finish times. According to a weekly roster, you will be assigned on a daily basis to a set area. Normally the earliest start time is 5 a.m. finishing between 3-4 p.m. if your task is in the forest. The work at Centre for Conservation and Education and Fund-Raising start 9am finish 4 pm. There will be breaks provided during the work day.

	1. Gibbon Reintroduction Site Management and Research (Forest) This involves volunteer to collect observational data on the reintroduced gibbons in the forest. Observations will be recorded by volunteers under two main categories; focal (actually Gibbon sightings in their locations) and collection of singing and behaviour data.
	2. Enclosure Modification, Maintenance and Feeding This involves volunteer to clean and maintain all gibbon cages in good condition. Also food preparation and feeding is required at the stage.
	3. Center for Conservation, Education and Fund-Raising Volunteer requires to do the talks (“tours”) given through the Center for Conservation, Education and Fund-Raising perform two very important functions - public education and the basis of financial support for the project.
	4. Other Volunteer Duties This includes general works such as building or foundation work, letter pick up, trail maintenance, leftlet drop on various beaches, visit local schools and communities.

However, as the project is developing quickly, sometime the work tasks are subject to change. You will be scheduled where you are most needed, and where your skills can be best used to obtain the project goals.

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Accommodation and others

Volunteer will stay in a share local style accommodation near by the project. Mosquito net, cloth hanger, a pillow and bedsheet will be provided. Bathroom, washing machine, fridge, kitchen, cooking facilities and a fan are share between others. Also each volunteer will have their own locker. Internet and printing are available at extra cost.

There are a number of near by local restaurants and a local market. A police station and a hospital are within less than 30 minutes range.

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Project Requirements

Because of the nature of the project it is necessary to make some conditions for participation :

+ No experience required!
+ A minimum stay of 3 weeks
+ Must have a good peace of mind and teamwork skills
+ Must be over 18 year of ages
+ Good command of English spoken is needed
+ Must be able to work without assistance
+ All volunteer are required to have had all relevant vaccinations for Hepatitis A&B, Tuberculosis (TB), Diphtheria, Rabies, Pertissus, Tetanus and Japanese Encephalitis before entering to projects. This is because many diseases are spread from humans to gibbon, it is essential that volunteers are vaccinated against these diseases.

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Gallery

Prices and Durations

What's include in the programme + Airport / Bus station puck up (Phuket) + Local style accommodation during your placeent period + Orientation and supervision from our staff + Project T-Shirt and a ride to local supermarket once a week + All fee incursion in the project + Many new experience and friendship!

What's not include in the programme + Flight + Passport and Visa fee + Insurance + Personal expenses

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