Western Javan Gibbon
Hylobates moloch moloch (Audebert, 1798)
CR A1cd, C2a

The western Javan or silvery gibbon, as its name implies, is found only on Indonesian island of Java, which is one of the world’s most densely populated islands. Only fragmented pockets of rain forest remain in western Java, the area to which this gibbon is confined. There is also believed to be an eastern subspecies, H. m. pongoalsoni, although there are questions regarding its taxonomic and conservation status. The best estimates are that somewhere between 300 and 400 Javan gibbons survive in a handful of national parks, nature reserves and other conservation units that cover approximately 800 square kilometers of forest. In response to the threats of continued habitat destruction, as well as the capture of young gibbons to supply an illegal pet trade, Conservation International has established a tropical forest conservation education program based at Gunung Gede National Park that is focused on the Javan gibbon. Gunung Gede is one of the final strongholds for this gibbon and is located within an hour’s drive of Jakarta. The western Javan gibbon can also be found in two other national parks (Gunung Haliman and Ujung Kulon), three nature reserves (Gunung Simpang, Gunung Tilu and Leuweung Sancang), and several smaller forest reserves.