Mammals
Cao Vit Gibbon
Nomascus nasutus · also called eastern black crested gibbon
On a limestone hillside on the Vietnam-China border, a black Cao Vit gibbon and his golden mate sing back and forth, among the last of an ape that was thought lost.
Overview
The Cao Vit gibbon, Nomascus nasutus, is a Critically Endangered ape found in a small area of limestone forest on the border between northern Vietnam and southern China. Its rediscovery in 2002, tiny population of about a hundred, and cross-border protection make it one of the great stories of primate conservation.
An ape brought back from the edge
Although the Cao Vit gibbon remains Critically Endangered, protection of its forest has allowed its numbers to creep upward.
Status
Critically Endangered, with a small but slowly growing population.
Cao Vit Gibbon: common questions
When was the Cao Vit gibbon rediscovered?
It was feared extinct for decades before a small population was found again in northern Vietnam in 2002.
How can you tell male and female Cao Vit gibbons apart?
Males are black with a tall crest on the head, while females are golden-buff with a dark patch on the crown.
How many Cao Vit gibbons are left?
Only about a hundred animals survive, making it one of the rarest primates in the world.
Where is the Cao Vit gibbon found?
It lives in a small area of limestone forest on the border between northern Vietnam and southern China.