Phuket gibbon rehabilitation center

[keestha]

Does anybody have information about the Phuket gibbon rehabilitation center, where gibbons living in captivity are supposed to be rehabilitated so they can live as wild animals in the natural habitat? It is close to Bang Pae waterfall in the northern part of the island.

Is it worth going to, and do they charge an admission price?

[nedkellylives]

I went a few years back, its in the national park so you pay a entrance about 200 baht from memory

Supposed to be a waterfall, all i saw were rapids,the gibbons are kept in a couple of small cages under

the tree's like a zoo, just a cash cow unless things have changed, which they may have

I would not go back, much better national parks in Khao lak and more to see at the zoo including gibbons

[Guest]

The Gibbon project education/rehabilitation center is located just before the way to the waterfall. To get to the waterfall itself (about 7m high, not very large) you need to walk about 100 meters up to the path.

There is not too much to see, but you can get an introduction to the project and gibbons at the center.

The project itself is larger. They keep the hepatitis etc infected gibbons at Bang Rong compound, which is not available for public. These animals are the ones, which can not be released to the wild or new to the project and therefore kept under keepers eyes.

The gibbons which are at the rehabilitation center are planned to be released to the national park mountain, west of the center. It's also restricted area.

To hear gibbons sing, I think the best time is to visit the center late afternoon.

Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Namtok+Bang+Toei/@8.0429641,98.3941527,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x30503600d6cd103f:0xc1715c5a20c5fb9a

http://www.gibbonproject.org/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297937-d553534-Reviews-Gibbon_Rehabilitation_Project-Thalang_District_Phuket.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/GRP-Gibbon-Rehabilitation-Project/320420134665959

[schlog]

Better go to the restaurant next to the center and enjoy great thai food with a jungle-lake view and listen to the gibbon sound. A good time is 11 am or afternoons.

[andreww]

I was volunteering in GRP/WARF in Ranong and Phuket about 5 years ago. The project is much bigger than tourists can see/access and spans across 100+ meters up the hill, with dozens of cages where gibbons get used to each other (as they are released into the wild as formed families, not one by one) and slowly get placed further and further away from humans. It takes about 5-7 years to release a gibbon after it'd been seized from its previous owners.

Unlike many elephant rehab centers, this project is underfunded, as people give much less damn about apes in general, than about elephants. Not that elephants are not important, but statements like "it's a cash cow" is simply a a lie or blatantly misinformed opinion.

As mentioned above, you can come and enjoy mini-jungle trek, swim in the refreshing waterfall, have a lunch in a restaurant, buy some souvenirs or simply donate money, all will go to a good cause, no first class flights or fancy photo exhibitions in European galleries here, just to support the gibbons and project staff.

If you're somewhat experienced and well equipped or have a local guide, you can got a bit deeper into the jungle (behind the waterfall) and can be lucky enough to spot gibbons in the wild, but it is REAL jungle out there, so plan accordingly and be responsible.

[fatdrunkandstupid]

It's a farce.

First off you will be chased by the gatekeeper to pay the ridiculous National Park fee. Why should anyone be paying a park fee when just over the mountain at Naithon and Layan hundreds of rai of National Park forest are being clear felled for development?

Secondly, the caged gibbons are nothing short of depressing.

Thirdly, the water in the waterfall is not fit for swimming in.

Go to the Phuket Aquarium instead. It is ok...not great...but ok...and if you have a Thai drivers licence you can get in for 50THB.

[pagallim]

I think within the context of what's trying to be achieved, it's OK. However, the ever increasing pressure on natural habitats anywhere in Phuket is exactly that, ever increasing with seemingly no likelihood of sincere and sustainable environmental management. Regretably, animal welfare and government land husbandry is secondary to the need for a red plated Mercedes.

The debate on farang fees for National Park entry has been done to death. In the larger scheme of things, it's not that big a deal, annoying though it is. The areas and hillside of the rehabilitation centre are quite tranquill (note that the 'waterfall' is currently dry), and I would certainly recommend having a lunch at Peang Prai (the nearby restaurant - check out a post I have in the recommended local restaurants thread on the 13th February this year).

For somebody coming from Khao Lak, I'd say not worth a specific visit, only if you happened to be in the area and could be included in an itinerary of other things to see/do.

[phuketandsee]

Fat, drunk and stupid - perfect handle given your comments on this one.

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project does fantastic work and is very far from depressing. This are a true conservation project (as opposed to real tourist cash-cows like Tiger Kingdom and the elephant "sanctuaries") which is why visitors can only see a few of the 46 gibbons currently being taken care of. People are kept away from them as much as possible so the gibbons can be weaned off dependence on humans in preparation for reintroduction to the wild. However you can get very close to 5 of the gibbons and learn a great deal about these amazing animals, as well as about endangered species in general. You will also learn that, despite the shellacking they regularly take on this forum, there are Thais doing terrific work in trying to preserve their environment.

These animals have been rescued from dire circumstances as pets or for use as photographers' props for uninformed tourists to have their photos taken. They are extremely well looked after and gradually readied for release in the park. After having been wiped out 25 years ago, thanks to the efforts of this organization, there are now 22 wild gibbons living in the rain forest of Phuket once again.

By the way, the best time to hear them sing, as well as performing their acrobatics, is when the park opens at 9 am

[honoluabay]

Well Fat drunk and stupid, I've been to this place many times and its not Small at all. The cages are rather large and many you cannot see from the viewing point. They look happy and Well cared for. I've been face to face with Gibbons in the wild and this place has a lot to offer. Its not the Gibbons fault that they are being killed for Greed of land and money, but by visiting the rehab center is helping. It costs 200 bht to enter but after 1500 the gate guard goes home. As for the Phuket aquarium that's a joke but the Thais have tried to make something nice for tourist's and locals alike. The Zoo should be closed, as all Zoo's should be as well.

The farse is you no can afford the $7 maybe time to go back to your Host country, I'm sure they would be happy for your return! Aloha

Sent from my A200 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[simon43]

Thirdly, the water in the waterfall is not fit for swimming in.

Why, what happened to the water?

BTW, I have never paid to get access to the Gibbon center. I just ignore any park keeper because both the Gibbon center and the commercial restaurants are strictly outside the national park area, (commercial ventures are not allowed in national parks, are they?)

The park keeper should collect fees at the start of the steps that lead to the waterfall. Of course, then he wouldn't be able to fleece unsuspecting tourists would he.

In general, when trying to avoid payment of an unjustified fee, it helps if people think you are mad.... I avoid many such fees by scaring peope with my wild and crazy looks....

[fatdrunkandstupid]

Hmmm...animals kept in cages...a waterfall with no water...and a rainforest that has no old growth whatsoever and is comprised almost entirely of feral flora...

And a 200THB admission fee, that is collected under false pretenses...and of which, not a satang goes to the preservation or upkeep of the NP.

Like I said the first time...

A farce.

[phuketandsee]

1. The gibbons are kept in cages as they are prepared for re-introduction to the wild. This is mainly for their protection as they would otherwise end up back with the photographers. In any event these cages are 5 star accommodation compared to what they came from.

2. There is water in the waterfall, especially now after the recent rains. I grant you it is not Niagara but a nice spot none-the-less

3. Have you hiked right up into the forest? I suggest you do before making uninformed comments about the presence of old growth.

4. Likewise, do you have detailed knowledge of the NP finances? If "not a satang goes to the preservation or upkeep of the NP" who is paying for the rangers that patrol the forest and help protect the gibbons that have been released there? Or the workers sweeping the leaves at the entrance and clearing the garbage? Or the upkeep of the car park?

Edited April 13, 2014 by LivinginKata
insult removed