Extract from ABC News
Chinese researchers have declared two gibbon species extinct because they have not been spotted in their southern China habitat for over a decade.
Key points:
- A species classified as "extinct in the wild" is now found only in captivity
- The population of the white-handed gibbon has declined steadily due to habitat loss, hunting and pet trading
- Both species could be found in the south-western Chinese province of Yunnan
A report into the status of endangered primates in China, released on Tuesday, says the white-handed gibbon and the northern white-cheeked gibbon are classified as "extinct in the wild", according to Chinese state media.
Extinction in the wild means the species is only known to survive in captivity.
Researchers surveyed areas where the white-handed gibbons and northern white-cheeked gibbons used to live but found no sign of the animals.
Head of the survey team at the Northwestern University of China, Li Baoguo, told local media that habitat loss, over-exploitation of resources and expanding agriculture were the leading causes of the species' declines.
"Human activities are the root cause of the unprecedented loss of biodiversity, and this has led to a serious survival crisis for primates," Mr Li said.
The white-handed gibbon was found in China's south-western Yunnan province at altitudes of 1,900 metres to 2,000 metres and suffered from deforestation in the 1950s and 1960s as agriculture expanded in the region.
Northern white-cheeked gibbons were found in south-western parts of Yunnan.
Researchers said their populations declined by more than 50 per cent over the past 45 years also because of a rapid loss of habitat, hunting and the pet trade, according to local media.
While they may be extinct in China, a community of northern white-cheeked gibbons was spotted at Vietnam's Pu Mat national park in 2011 near the border with Laos.
The white-handed gibbon is also found in other parts of South-East Asia, including in Thailand and Malaysia.
About 80 per cent of China's 28 extant primate species are threatened and 15 to 18 species have populations of less than 3,000.
Almost all primates live in "island-like" fragmented habitats, Mr Li reportedly said.
The extinction of species extends to China's waterways.
The Chinese paddlefish and wild Yangtze sturgeon were declared extinct in July this year by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, despite a decades-long effort to save them.
Both species, which were common in the Yangtze River basin, were plagued by heavy shipping traffic, overfishing and water pollution.
Reacting to news of the gibbons' extinction, Chinese state media commentator Wu Shuang Jian said there was "really no time to wait anymore" to restore natural habitats.
"A top priority now is to strengthen habitat conservation and restoration, to ensure wildlife has effective migration corridors and the connection and integrity of the habitats," Mr Wu said.
Netizens on Chinese social media platform Weibo also responded to the news.
"Humans are asking for it, and one day, human beings may become extinct due to their own actions," one user said.
"Just because they are not seen doesn't mean it's truly extinct," another user said.
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