Research

1. BEHAVIOR & ECOLOGY OF WILD JAVAN GIBBONS at Gunung Halimun salak national park

Since 2007, the Citalahab Forest within Gunung Halimun Salak National Park, West Java has been home to the only long-term field station dedicated specifically to the study of wild Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch). The station was first established through a collaboration between the primate team from Ewha Womans University, South Korea, and IPB University, Indonesia, and has continued to operate for nearly two decades.

What began as a small scientific initiative has grown into a vital hub for conservation and research. Today, the station serves as a living laboratory in the forest canopy, where ecological and behavioral data are recorded daily by trained field assistants and researchers. These long-term records provide rare and invaluable insights into the life history, social dynamics, and habitat needs of the critically endangered Javan gibbon.

A Long Term Monitoring

With the support of a dedicated field team composed of trained local community members, we carry out regular monitoring of wild and endangered Javan gibbons to deepen our understanding of their behavioral ecology in the submontane forests. Previously, the primate team of the Javan Gibbon Research and Conservation Project (JGRCP)—a collaboration between Ewha Womans University and IPB University—has gathered extensive data on the species’ diet, social behavior, and home range.

You can explore our publications here

Research Scholarship

To cultivate interest in primate conservation among Indonesian students and help train the next generation of conservationists, we launched a research scholarship program in 2022 for undergraduate students from various universities. Since then, ten scholarships have been awarded, supporting both the academic development of Indonesian students and providing opportunities for them to present their work at national and international conferences. Notably, one of our grantees has published their first scientific paper — read it here.

2. ASSESSMENT OF JAVAN GIBBONS Outside Conservation area network

Distribution Survey

Understanding where Javan gibbons still survive in the wild is a crucial step toward protecting them. That is why we conduct distribution surveys across the landscapes of forest fragments outside national parks in West Java, especially in the South Sukabumi Landscape. These information is vital to map remaining population, identify critical forest patches and understand the level of human pressure threanening to design better conservation strategies. Read the article here

Homerange & Feeding Pattern

Currently, we are following a small family of Javan gibbons that inhabit a small patch of forest. By studying how far they travel and what they eat each day, we can learn how they adapt to limited space and resources—and use that knowledge to guide efforts to restore and improve their habitat in the future.

3. INTERNSHIP AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY

Internship & Volunteer

Suppose you care about wildlife, community and want to learn more about conservation at the grassroots level. In that case, the internship and volunteer program is a valuable opportunity to gain experience with our team while fulfilling the official curriculum from the schools or universities. Until today, we have supported the internship program for 50+ students with different backgrounds from various vocational high schools and universities in Indonesia. Read more about how to join our internship program here.