Wildlife Conservation at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Wildlife Conservation
Khao Phra Taew National Park
Should you be interested in any kind of Wildlife Conservation then when next on vacation Phuket, take the scenic drive to the north eastern part of the island where you'll find the spectacular rain-forest of Khao Phra Taew National Park. The road leading to the park is lined with rubber plantations and pineapple fields.
Once inside it's all jungle with several paths that cross over a small hilly enclave leading you through the thickly forested park and the habitat of wild boars and macaques, all of whom are keen to avoid any human contact. The jungle does however resound to the constant sound of chirping insects and the whooping calls of indigenous white-handed gibbons. Located within the park are the two waterfalls of Ton Sai and Bang Pae and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.
Entrance to the Gibbon Project
Wildlife Conservation
Getting to Khao Phra Taew National Park
To get there from
Phuket International Airport
, drive south along highway 402 towards the town of Thalang located in the central part of the island. About four kilometeres, two and a half miles east of the intersection takes you to the visitor centre of Khao Phra Taew National Park, Phuket's primary rain forest reserve.
From Phuket Town, drive north along highway 402 towards the airport then turn right onto route 4027. Standing on a roundabout is Heroine's Monument. From there it is about 10 kilometres (6 miles) to the Gibbon Project Entrance. It is not that hard to find. The Heroine's Monument was commissioned to commemorate the famous 1785 battle fought against the Burmese army near Thalang town.
A short walk east of the monument is the Thalang Museum which houses a few interesting exhibits outlying the rich heritage of Phuket. Items on display include 5th century religious icons, Chinese porcelain, life-size figures recreated from the Burmese Battle, information on the sea gypsies known as chao ley and colourful folkloric history and photos of the masochistic feats of the vegetarian festival.
If you are coming up from the
Patong Beach
area, drive north along route 4030 towards the town of Thalang and then take directions as I have indicated above.
Gibbon soon to be released into the Wild
Wildlife Conservation
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project is an organization wholly run by a group of volunteers whose primary roll it is to re-educate and re-introduce domesticated lar gibbons back into the forest by encouraging them to fend for themselves.
Isn't it disheartening that all over this beautiful planet of ours, there are foolish, downright loathsome as well as ignorant people keeping animals as illegal house pets. I call gibbon thieves pirate primate hostage takers. No matter what the hostage takers motives are, in many cases gibbons become severely traumatized by their experience as pets. Not only are they usually taken forcibly from their mothers but they are also often abused by their owners too.
Because gibbons make such charismatic pets, there are few of these particular primates left in the wild on Phuket island. The situation had became so dire that in 1992 it became illegal in Thailand to kill them, sell them or keep them as pets. They are now considered to be on the ever growing list of endangered species.
Inside the Information Centre
Wildlife Conservation
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Despite all efforts to protect gibbons from unscrupulous poachers, you may come across a number of these pet primates around Phuket. They are usually kept on chains by their owners around bars, on street corners and some hotels as a form of immoral entertainment for thoughtless tourists as an absurd photo opportunity.
Now that I have made you aware of whats actually happening here to these cute cuddly creatures, you can help by reporting any sighting you stumble upon to the
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
in Phuket. By all means, take a photo then send or email it to the centre with details as to when, where and what you witnessed. I am sure that the centre will greatly acknowledge your concern. It matters not whether you come across gibbons on Phuket island or anywhere else in Thailand.
A Playful White-Handed Gibbon
Wildlife Conservation
Rehabilitation Program
The entrance fee to the centre for foreigners is 200 baht but any extra donation would be greatly appreciated as the project receives nothing, naugt, nada, zero, zilch, zip from the National Park itself. There is a small souvenir shop within the centre selling life-size cuddly gibbons and other related products. This may just be the right time to spoil your kids as all the proceeds go to a very good cause. The centre is open daily from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. The last tour is at 3:15 pm.
Visitors are hugely welcome at the project but please remember that the whole point of the rehabilitation program is to minimize human contact with the gibbons. You are rarely allowed to admire these creatures from close up so be aware that you may have to view them from afar. There is an exhibition where well-informed volunteers fill you in with detail case studies on the idiosyncratic habits of these gorgeous primates. This enables you to best understand the aims of the project.
Souvenir Shop at the Gibbon Centre
Wildlife Conservation
Bang Pae and Ton Sai Falls
If you follow the track right along the river from the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project on the eastern fringe of the national park, you'll soon arrive at Bang Pae Falls, a popular picnic and bathing spot. It is only about a fifteen minute walk away.
If you still have the energy to continue along the track you'll eventually arrive at Ton Sai Falls. It is however at least a one and a half hour walk away so if the tropical heat is a problem for you, you may want to give this one a miss as I did. I do believe that the climb, though fairly steep in places with rough underfoot spots, is not that difficult a climb. There are however plenty of places to cool off in the river on route. Ton Sai is said to be the prettiest of the two waterfalls.
