The Rare Cao Vit Gibbon: World’s Second Rarest Ape Spotted in Vietnam

In a remarkable moment for global biodiversity, the Cao Vit Gibbon (also known as the Eastern Black Crested Gibbon) has been captured on film in the northern forests of Vietnam. This species is officially the second rarest ape in the world, with only about 135 individuals remaining in the wild. Once thought to be extinct, the species was rediscovered in 2002 in a small forest area bordering China. The latest footage showing a family—a black male, a brownish-yellow female, and their offspring—playing in the canopy is a beacon of hope for conservationists.

The name 'Cao Vit' comes from the distinct call the gibbons use to mark and defend their territory. These primates are currently listed as 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List. Their survival is threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, and livestock grazing. However, thanks to the efforts of organizations like Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and the local governments of Vietnam and China, there is a coordinated effort to protect their remaining habitat in the Cao Vit Gibbon Species and Habitat Conservation Area in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province.

This gallery showcases the unique sexual dimorphism of the species; males are entirely black with a small crest, while females undergo a color change as they mature, eventually sporting a beautiful golden or buff-colored coat. The presence of a young gibbon in the footage indicates that the population is successfully breeding, which is a crucial sign for the species' long-term survival. In 2012, Vietnam and China signed a historic agreement to cooperate on the conservation of this transboundary species.

Vietnam is home to four of the world's rarest gibbon species, making its conservation efforts vital for global primatology. This post explores the biological characteristics of the Cao Vit Gibbon and the ongoing challenges faced by rangers and scientists in the field. It is a call to action to protect the 'singing' inhabitants of the Cao Bang forests before they vanish forever. Witness the beauty of one of nature's most elusive treasures through these rare images.

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