April 8 marks International Rare Animal Protection Day, drawing global attention to endangered species. At Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), Professor Fan Pengfei’s team from the School of Life Sciences has contributed significantly to this cause with his groundbreaking discovery.

Nowadays, all gibbon species face habitat threats, including the Eastern black crested gibbon, Hainan black crested gibbon, Western black crested gibbon, and the Skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing), etc.

Notably, the Skywalker hoolock gibbon was discovered and named by Professor Fan’s team, which stands as a landmark achievement—the first ape species named by Chinese scientists. A 2017 survey estimated that fewer than 200 Skywalker hoolock gibbons inhabit China, highlighting the species’ precarious status.

Prof. Fan’s team has conducted long-term field studies in the forests, providing a scientific foundation for species conservation. Additionally, the team actively promotes public awareness, calling on society to protect forest sustainability and ensure stable habitats for gibbons and other forest animals.

On this day, let's protect rare species and their forest homes—one tree, one step at a time.

For more details, please read the report: https://www.sysu.edu.cn/sysuen/info/1023/55421.htm