Southern Yellow-Cheeked Crested Gibbon

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:57:31 GMT

Southern Yellow-Cheeked Crested Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae)

Diet

Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbons are primarily fruit eaters.

Their diet includes:

Wild fruits
Figs
Young leaves
Flowers
Seeds
Tree shoots
Occasionally insects and bird eggs

Breeding

Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbons form long-term monogamous pairs.

Females usually give birth to a single infant every two to three years after a gestation period of about seven months.

Young gibbons remain with their parents for six to eight years before leaving to establish their own territories.

Experience

About

The Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon is one of Cambodia's most iconic primates and the flagship species of Jahoo. Famous for its haunting morning songs and remarkable agility, this endangered ape spends almost its entire life high in the rainforest canopy.

Unlike monkeys, gibbons are apes, meaning they have no tails and possess highly developed intelligence and social behaviors. They live in small family groups and form lifelong pair bonds, with mated pairs performing spectacular duets that echo across the forest at dawn.

Identification

Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbons are easily recognized by their long arms, lack of a tail, and graceful movement through the forest canopy.

Adult males have glossy black fur with bright golden-yellow cheek patches, while adult females are light beige to golden in color with a distinctive black cap on the top of the head. Young gibbons are born with pale fur, turn black during infancy, and females gradually regain their lighter coloration as they mature.

Behaviour

Gibbons are among the most agile mammals on Earth.

Using a form of movement called brachiation, they swing effortlessly from branch to branch using their powerful arms, covering distances of up to 15 meters in a single swing.

Did You Know?

One of the highlights of a Jahoo experience is hearing the forest awaken with the calls of Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbons.

At sunrise, mated pairs perform loud, complex duets that can travel several kilometers through the forest.

These songs help:

Defend territory
Strengthen pair bonds
Communicate with neighboring families
Announce their presence

Giant Ibis

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:45:28 GMT

Giant Ibis

Diet

The Giant Ibis is an opportunistic feeder that probes mud with its long bill to locate prey hidden beneath the surface.

Its diet includes:

Frogs
Small fish
Crabs
Freshwater snails
Earthworms
Insects
Beetle larvae
Aquatic invertebrates
Occasionally small reptiles

Breeding

Breeding usually occurs during the rainy season.

Pairs build large stick nests high in tall trees, often near seasonal wetlands.

The female typically lays two eggs, although usually only one chick survives to fledging.

Both parents share responsibility for incubating the eggs and feeding the chick.

Experience

About

The Giant Ibis is Cambodia's national bird and the largest ibis species in the world. Once widespread across mainland Southeast Asia, it is now one of the rarest birds on Earth. Today, northern Cambodia holds the world's largest remaining population, making the country the last stronghold for this remarkable species.

A sighting of the Giant Ibis is considered one of the greatest achievements in Asian birdwatching. Guests visiting Kriel Lodge have the rare opportunity to observe this critically endangered bird in its natural habitat while directly supporting the conservation efforts that protect it.

Identification

The Giant Ibis is impossible to mistake once seen.

It is a large, dark brown bird with long legs and an exceptionally long, downward-curved bill adapted for probing soft mud. During the breeding season, adults develop patches of bare grey skin around the neck and head, giving them an even more distinctive appearance.

Habitat

The Giant Ibis prefers remote dry forests interspersed with seasonal wetlands and natural ponds.

During the dry season, shrinking waterholes become feeding hotspots where the birds search for food in soft mud.

They avoid heavily disturbed areas and depend on healthy forests and intact wetlands for survival.

Behaviour

Giant Ibises are generally shy and cautious birds.

They are most active shortly after sunrise and before sunset when temperatures are cooler.

Individuals are often seen alone, in pairs, or as family groups, slowly walking through wetlands while probing the mud for food.

When disturbed, they fly strongly with slow wingbeats and extend both their neck and legs fully in flight.

Did You Know?

The Giant Ibis is Cambodia's national bird.
It is the largest ibis species in the world.
Fewer Giant Ibises exist than many famous endangered mammals.
Northern Cambodia is home to most of the world's remaining wild population.
Many international birdwatchers travel thousands of kilometers hoping to see this species.

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Southern Yellow-Cheeked Crested Gibbon