Roles of Communities and Impassioned Individuals in Conservation of Gibbons ( Hylobates Lar L . ) in Upper Mae Hong Son Province , Northern Thailand

Information合om53 vil1ages of seven ethnic groups demonstrated that communities and individuals play roles in gibbon conservation. Twenty-five villages with four ethnic groups (Karen, Shan, Lahu Na and Lawa) were found to protect gibbons. Karen traditional beliefs and community rules distinctively supported gibbon conservation. Cooperation with wildlife sanc旬arypersonnel and individual contributions were also important in many villages. Loss oftraditional beliefs and destructive exploi旬tionby ethnic groups have tended to promote large-scale hunting ofwildlife, including gibbons. The role ofindividuals in gibbon conservation is diverse. In a few cases, senior hunters who have observed and appreciated gibbon family life do not hunt them. There were approximately 293 individual gibbons in 66 groups of 33 subpopulations left in this surveyed area. Sub-populations consisted of 1-35 individuals, and contained from 1-7 social groups. Most groups occurred near Karen communities where people show巴:dpositive responses toward our conservation actions. The knowledge gained仕omthis investigation will be used to prepare a 鈎 ategicplan to protect gibbons and other wildlife in Mae Hong Son in the near future.