Phuket Tourist Attractions Guide

The Phuket Gibbon Conservation Center is located at the entrance of Ban Pe Waterfall in the northeast of Phuket. Gibbons are beautiful long-tailed primates with silky fur and charming white faces. Watching them swing from tree to tree using their long arms and tails is a must-see experience.

In Thailand, gibbons are designated as natural monuments and are internationally protected under the CITES convention, which prohibits trade. They are considered endangered species.

Gibbons inhabit the canopy layer of tropical rainforests in Thailand. Although wild gibbons do not live on Phuket Island, they can still be found in the jungles of Phang Nga, Krabi, and Surat Thani provinces including Samui Island.

Many baby gibbons are captured by poachers for the pet trade, often killing the mother in the process. This illegal activity has drastically reduced wild gibbon populations, pushing them towards extinction.

Captured gibbons are tamed by humans and often used as tourist attractions, posing for photos to earn small fees.

Baby gibbons are very cute, and some Thai families keep them as pets. However, as they grow, they become difficult to manage, often spending most of their time in cages or tethered by ropes. Gibbons have strong parent-child bonds and require many years to mature.

To address this crisis, efforts are being made in Phuket to rehabilitate gibbons and return them to the wild. Although not a commercial tourist facility, volunteer staff can show gibbons and explain conservation activities. Visitors can enjoy seeing these adorable primates. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

• Admission: Free
• Phone: 076-260-492