The early morning calls of gibbons swinging from limb to limb in the dense forests of Cambodia are a prime wildlife draw in the Southeast Asian country.
But as pandemic restrictions ease and sightseeing resumes a new study is urging tourists to wear masks and other personal protective equipment when near gibbons, whose jittery immune systems make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
From a health standpoint Cambodia has not been hit hard by the pandemic, but the lack of international tourism is a major drain on the economy. With few travel barriers for those in country, eco-tourism operators are eagerly looking forward to November gibbon spotting season.
