The Hainan Black-Crested Gibbon is the rarest primate in the world. Its population has rebounded from fewer than 10 individuals to 42 under sustained conservation, creating what experts hail as a Chinese Miracle in the recovery of globally critically endangered species. Behind the milestone stands a Mexican researcher, Eric Isai Amecay Juárez, who is a professor at the School of Ecology and Environment at Hainan University, and has made Hainan his home, deploying AI to build a strong technological defense for the gibbons’ survival and reproduction.
Before coming to Hainan, Eric spent years conducting fieldwork in Mexico on howler monkeys, studying how extreme weather events such as hurricanes affect primate survival. Through this work, he built solid expertise in climate vulnerability assessment and population modeling. Upon learning that Hainan is home to the world’s rarest and most conservation-significant primate, the Hainan gibbon, and hearing of the Hainan Free Trade Port’s (FTP) vision of “ecological priority and green development,” he made his way to the island. Hainan University’s investment in tropical ecology, its research platforms, and its interdisciplinary collaborative atmosphere convinced him that his research could truly take root there. “Joining Hainan University means I can channel my years of research experience into saving a species of global conservation significance,” Eric said.
In Eric’s view, the Hainan gibbon’s journey from near extinction to steady population recovery is unparalleled worldwide. He believes that studying its extinction risks, survival patterns, and recovery pathways can provide a replicable and scalable “Chinese Model” for the conservation of critically endangered species globally. At Hainan University, Eric’s core work involves building a population viability model for the Hainan gibbon, drawing on experience from his prior research on Mexican howler monkeys and Madagascar lemurs. The model focuses on extinction risk simulations to precisely assess threats posed by extreme climate events and habitat fragmentation. Without ever setting foot in the gibbons’ core habitat, Eric can run predictive future scenarios through computer simulations, providing solid scientific evidence for conservation planning and management policies. AI has become his “scientific powerhouse”: machine learning efficiently analyzes large climate and distribution datasets to rapidly identify species vulnerability patterns, while remote sensing data processing precisely tracks habitat changes—making his research more efficient and more accurate.
The gibbon’s rebound from fewer than 10 to 42 individuals fills Eric with deep admiration. In his view, Hainan’s unwavering commitment to ecological conservation, its systematic national park development, and broad community participation together demonstrate that environmental protection and economic development can truly thrive in tandem. Guided by strategic initiatives such as “Striving for Strength through Green Development,” Hainan University has embedded ecological civilization into its institutional mission, providing solid support for his research. As the Hainan Free Trade Port advances and island-wide special customs operations move forward, Eric has witnessed more seamless international collaboration, easier access to research resources, and greater freedom of academic talent mobility. A growing number of scientists worldwide are turning their attention to Hainan's tropical biodiversity. Summing up Hainan University and the Free Trade Port in three words— resilience, opportunity, and biodiversity— Eric looks forward to seeing Hainan emerge as a global model for conservation and sustainable development. He plans to remain in Hainan and at Hainan University, using science as a bridge and AI as a tool to ensure that the Hainan gibbon and its lush tropical rainforest continue to thrive.
Original link：https://hain.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202604/21/WS69e775d9a310942cc49a8c02.html
Translated by Guo Yiheng
Proofread by Tao Jiusheng
