BACKGROUND. The Javan gibbon can be found in fragmented forest patches throughout central and eastern Java, but to date, only three of the habitat patches in which they occur are protected within the national parks system. Many small groups exist in isolated pockets of forest, surrounded by rice fields and villages that are under constant threat from further human encroachment. With no population group containing more than 100 individuals, they are currently the most endangered of all the gibbon species. At present there are only around 50 captive Javan Gibbons outside of Indonesia, held at ten zoos around the world. While these zoos are cooperating in a captive breeding programme, only a few pairs are breeding successfully. The main issues in successful captive breeding of this species are the length of time taken for individuals to reach sexual maturity (six or seven years), and the slow breeding rate – with females giving birth to only one infant every two or three years. Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks together hold half of the world’s total captive population - currently housing 11 males and 13 females between the two parks. With 23 viable births since 1988, we are the world’s most successful breeder of this species. Funds generated from the publicity regarding these Indonesian primates are now being used to help primate in-situ conservation in Java, including a comprehensive survey of all Javan primates being undertaken by the Indonesian Wildlife Society, a partial contribution towards an Indonesian Gibbon Workshop in 2008 and majority funding of a Javan Gibbon Workshop in 2008. The Foundation has committed itself to further funding of the priorities agreed by stakeholders at these workshops. PRJECT AIMS. TAF aims to build on its success in the captive breeding of Javan Gibbons by setting up a captive breeding centre in Java for gibbons that have been rescued or confiscated from the illegal pet trade by government officials. If successful, the charity plans to begin a reintroduction programme to return these rescued and rehabilitated gibbons into protected forest areas. In the longer term, TAF hopes to set up a permanent research facility within one of the few remaining Javan Gibbon habitats in order to study wild gibbon behaviour, with the information collected being used to further improve reintroductions strategies. OBJECTIVES. 1. Survey; A two-month preliminary survey to assess the current status of the Javan gibbon population and distribution was completed in 2008. Data was collected from a total of 63 sites. The report is available on request and the results were presented at the Indonesian Gibbon Conservation and Protection Workshop in February 2008. A more detailed study will be completed during the next dry season that will include additional sites and will estimate gibbon population, density, the condition of the remaining habitat and threats to gibbon populations. 2. Partnerships; TAF will be setting up this project in collaboration with relevant NGOs and Indonesian government departments. TAF has already developed an ongoing partnership with the Indonesian Nature Conservation Foundation (Yasasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara – KONUS), who carried out the preliminary report. 3. Land: Research and negotiation to secure a suitable area of land to establish a breeding and reintroduction centre is underway. Due to local protocols the land will be secured through a long lease agreement rather than a purchase. Contact with other landowners has already been established, and offers of support by way of buildings and reintroduction areas have been made. 4. Breeding Centre: As soon as land has been acquired, project infrastructure will be set up; including animal shelters, veterinary facilities and buildings. In the meantime, management plans are still being compiled. BENEFITS/OUTCOMES. • An up-to-date report on the current status of Javan gibbons the wild. • An integrated plan to establish a breeding/ reintroduction centre in Java • Provision of a secure centre for endangered gibbons to live and breed. • Provision of a centre for the safe homing of confiscated gibbons • Protected areas of habitat for reintroduction • Outreach awareness programme that highlights the plight of endangered animals in Java • Collaborative working partnerships BUDGET A fully comprehensive annual budget for this project is not yet available, however a preliminary budget estimate for construction costs has been drafted. The construction costs are listed per enclosure and TAF would ideally anticipate building approximately 10 enclosures in total. Estimated budget for Javan Gibbon Project – Construction costs £2009 budget Material costs per enclosure £5,000 Employee costs per enclosure £1,200 Construction labour per enclosure £2,700 Equipment hire cost per enclosure £1,700 Subtotal per enclosure £10,600 Veterinary building costs £2,300 Fees and taxes £2,700 TOTAL £15,600