A gibbon living in the tropical forests of south-west China is a new species of primate, scientists have concluded.
It’s been named the Skywalker hoolock gibbon – partly because the Chinese characters of its scientific name mean “Heaven’s movement” but also because the scientists are fans of Star Wars!
Dr. Turvey describes studying these animals:
“You have to hike up to above 2,500m to find the gibbons… you listen out for the haunting song of the gibbons…And when you hear it, you rush through the mud and the mist, and run for hundreds of meters to try and catch up with these gibbons.”
Welcome, Jungle Jedi.
Mark Hamill couldn’t be prouder:
So proud of this! First the Pez dispenser, then the Underoos & U.S. postage stamp… now this! #GorillaMyDreams #SimianSkywalker #JungleJedi link
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 11, 2017
H/T: BBC News
