ChineseToday | Guardians of Hainan gibbons in rainforest

Li Wenyong (L) and his colleague patrol the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

HAIKOU, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Li Wenyong is a forest ranger at Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park on the south China island province. He lives in Miao Village of Qingsong Township, which is under the jurisdiction of Baisha Li Autonomous County, and the nearest village to the park's Bawangling area. This is the heart of Hainan gibbon country.

In addition to patrolling the mountains, Li is also responsible for monitoring the gibbons. Using the sounds and calls made by the forest's Hainan gibbon residents, Li observes the species. Over the past 13 years, Li has amassed a collection of about 100,000 Hainan gibbon pictures.

Li Wenyong (L) and his colleague patrol the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Li Wenyong (R) and his colleague check a photo on his camera in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Li Wenyong (L) and his colleague take shelter from rain in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Li Wenyong (L) and his colleague patrol the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Fan Yuqing)

Li Wenyong checks an infrared camera at home in Baisha Li Autonomous County, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Li Wenyong views photos at home in Baisha Li Autonomous County, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Li Wenyong works in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Fan Yuqing)

Li Wenyong shows a pair of worn-out shoes in Baisha Li Autonomous County, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Fan Yuqing)

Li Wenyong (L) and his colleague patrol the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2023 shows a Hainan gibbon in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province. (Photo by Li Wenyong/Xinhua)

The black-crested apes can only be found in Hainan, and as they rarely set foot on the ground, only in rainforest trees over 10 meters high.

As the world's rarest primate, Hainan gibbons are currently classed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

To protect Hainan gibbons, Hainan authorities have backed a slew of measures such as restoring habitat, setting up monitoring teams, and planting greenery that the apes like to eat.

The protection efforts in recent years are already paying off. Latest official figures show that Hainan's gibbon population has increased to 37, consisting of six families.

This photo taken in 2022 shows a Hainan gibbon in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province. (Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken in 2022 shows Hainan gibbons in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province. (Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park/Handout via Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on June 29, 2022 shows the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)