Link : Gibbon Rehabiliation Project, Phuket.

A beautiful, captivating primate the White-handed Gibbon is a master of agility. Its long arms are perfectly suited to swinging from branch to branch through Southeast Asia's rainforests. Though it lacks a tail, its sense of balance is acute and it is equally capable of walking on its hind legs along branches high above the ground.

Its unmistakable call - a loud, whooping sound - can be heard from a great distance, especially when active in the morning. Its colour varies from dark brown to brownish-orange to cream, and its diet comprises mainly young shoots, leaves and fruits.

A shocking trade in young gibbons is rampant in some countries, particularly Thailand. The young are captured by first shooting the mother, and then stealing the young.

The White-handed Gibbon ranges from southern China, Burma, Thailand and Laos to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.