Gibbon Studies in Khao Yai National Park: Some Personal Reminiscences

Abstract

This is a highly selective, informal account of my experiences in pursuing my main interest— gibbons—in Khao Yai National Park, which has recently passed its 50th anniversary. Khao Yai, one of the largest and most popular national parks in Thailand, has developed into one of the most important wildlife research sites in the world, particularly for birds and large mammals. This personal account is designed to teach readers about the importance of Khao Yai National Park as a gibbon research site and present a brief overview of some of the major findings that have been made about gibbons, touching on such aspects as taxonomy, speciation, vocalizations, social behavior, group structure and feeding ecology. The difficulties and challenges of carrying our field research in Khao Yai, and the unforeseen obstacles, are also woven into the story. To me, the long period of research from about 1975 has been an exciting rollercoaster ride, with many breath-taking dives and turns, and some calm areas. I hope readers feel some of the thrills that I did.