At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Stable
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Hainan gibbon is the rarest ape — and one of the rarest mammals — in the world, with only a few dozen individuals. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It survives in a single patch of forest on Hainan Island.
Range & habitat
A single forest reserve on Hainan Island, China.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- An extremely small population in one location
- Past habitat loss
- Vulnerability to disasters
Why it matters
The world's rarest ape, surviving in one forest, the Hainan gibbon is a stark example of how close a primate can come to extinction.
Often cited as the world's rarest ape.
Sources
Sources for Hainan Gibbon
- IUCN Red List — look up Hainan Gibbon (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is the Hainan gibbon?
It is the rarest ape on Earth, with only a few dozen individuals left, all in a single forest reserve on Hainan Island in China.
Why is the Hainan gibbon Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite its extremely small population confined to one location, a history of habitat loss, and vulnerability to any local disaster. See the IUCN Red List.
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