What is Gibbon Rehabilitation Center in Thailand?

A unique non-state rehabilitation center for gibbons was established in 1992 on the initiative of the Wildlife Protection Foundation of Thailand. Its main task is the treatment, rehabilitation and subsequent return of gibbons to the wild.

There are more than 60 monkeys confiscated from the owners by the police or given away by the owners (sale, purchase and possession of gibbons in Thailand are illegal). In the center, animals are treated, their dependence on people is reduced, they are taught to communicate with other gibbons, promote the creation of couples and, eventually, return to the wild. The first successful action took place in October 2002, after which several groups of monkeys were returned to the forest.

The rehabilitation center for gibbons is not a zoo. Feeding animals is prohibited here. At the same time, you can look at them from behind the fence, study their life on the basis of a very detailed information stand, visit a souvenir shop (the proceeds go to the fund of the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project). For 1800 baht a year you can even "adopt" or "adopt" a monkey: it will be called your name.

The entrance to the center is free. But since it is located in the territory of the Khao Pra Tho National Park, a fee of 200 baht is charged at the entrance (if you arrive before 9:00, you do not need money).

Rehabilitation Center has nothing to do with the zoo. Here, animals are preparing to go free and be able to successfully live in the wild. They need to be aggressive in order to be able to defend themselves. This is why the rehab center is strictly forbidden to touch or feed animals. Visitors can only look at the newly arrived individuals, but only through the grate and at a distance of not less than two meters. You can take pictures only without a flash, so as not to frighten the gibbons. There is a stand that tells in Thai and English about the work of the Rehabilitation Center, and information about every gibbon living here. Every month about 200,000 baht are spent on the maintenance of the center, most of which are spent on food and medicine for animals. On the territory of the center there is a small souvenir shop, which is one of the main sources of the Center's income. All money from the sale of souvenirs goes to the maintenance of primates.

How to get there

From the south, west and north of Phuket, head towards the monument to the Hero Sisters. From it you need to turn to the east (road perpendicular to Tekkrasatri) and drive another 9 km. On the way, there will be signs to the Bang Pa waterfall, near which the center is located. The last sign will tell you where to turn left. On this road it will be necessary to drive about 1 km further.