Ungka ape 

‘One baby ungka lost his mother and was brought up by humans. Even when he grew up he enjoyed their company. So he boarded a ship and climbed into the rigging. When the ship sailed he came down to look for food. Everyone was very kind and they called him Ungka. He became a special favourite of an old man who, eventually, took him back to England.’  This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

Ungka Apes: Historical Accounts and Biological Insights

There is an article about Ungka in Loudon’s The Magazine of Natural History, and Journal of Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology, and Meteorology, Volume 5 Longman, Rees, 1832. George Bennett is very clear that Ungka died, so Jane Loudon must have invented the idea about Ungka going to Porchester Place. The drawing of Ungka on a chair appears in Bennett’s article, so one wonders who drew it and where.

The term ‘ungka is a common Indonesian name for gibbons, a group of small apes that are native to Southeast Asia. The most well-known type of ungka is the siamang, which is the largest of all gibbons. Ungkas are characterised by their long arms, which they use for brachiation ( swinging from branch to branch) to move through the trees. They are also known for their loud songs, which they use to defend their territory and attract mates. 

Ungkas are social animals that live in monogamous pairs. They are very territorial and will defend their home range from other ungkas. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, but they will also eat leaves, flowers, and insects. Ungkas play an important role in their ecosystem by dispersing seeds and pollinating plants. They are also a popular tourist attraction, and many ecotourism businesses have been set up to provide opportunities to see them in their natural habitat.

The Historical Significance and Conservation of Ungka Apes

Ungka apes, a common name for gibbons in Southeast Asia, have captivated both scientists and the public alike. Historical accounts, such as those in Loudon's The Magazine of Natural History, mention Ungka, but some details may have been fictionalised. George Bennett’s writings clarify that Ungka, a gibbon brought to England, died before any further adventures could take place, challenging Jane Loudon’s accounts of Ungka’s journey to Porchester Place.

In their natural habitat, ungkas are known for their remarkable brachiation skills, which enable them to swing through trees with great agility. This locomotion, coupled with their loud songs used for communication, makes them a crucial part of their ecosystem. Ungkas maintain a monogamous social structure and are highly territorial. They primarily consume fruits but have a diverse diet that includes leaves, flowers, and insects. Ungkas are also vital for seed dispersal and plant pollination. However, their populations face threats from habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. Conservation efforts are essential to preserve these unique apes and their natural habitats, ensuring their survival for future generations.