The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that it will send a northern white-cheeked gibbon (aka Nomascus leucogenys) named “Hak Jai” (“Black Boy”) living in the Seac Pai Van Park, to Guangzhou Zoo within this month.
“Hak jai” has been living in Seac Pai Van Park since 1995 after being abandoned. He is 30 years old now.
The statement said the bureau will transfer “Hak Jai” to Guangzhou Zoo for him to join the conservation of national rare wildlife and promote rare wildlife protection, restoration and sustainable development.
According to the observation and analysis by a team of mainland animal experts, “hak jai” has an excellent genetic heritage, which is of great significance to promoting the conservation of his species in the nation, the statement said.
“Hak Jai” has already passed the health check and quarantine process, and is scheduled to move to Guangzhou Zoo later this month to live with “new friends” of his species, the statement noted.
The bureau and experts from Guangzhou Zoo will continue to monitor “Hak Jai’s” adaptation to the new environment and his physical condition, with a view to promoting the conservation and development of the northern white-cheeked gibbon population.
Northern white-cheeked gibbons are first-class national protected animals in mainland China, while they are also listed as a critically endangered (CR) species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
According to the National Geographic website, there are over a dozen recognised species of gibbons ranging from north-eastern India to southern China to Borneo.
IUCN is an international organisation working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. CR species denotes the type of animals that are at an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
According to scientific reports, the estimated life span of gibbons varies between 20 and 40 years, with a reported longevity maximum in captivity of 60 years.
This undated handout photo provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday shows the 30-year-old northern white-cheeked gibbon named “Black Boy” living in Coloane's Seac Pai Van Park.
