The Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) is a long sleek primate reaching heights of 1 metre and weights of 14kg. It inhabits primary and secondary semi-deciduous and tropical evergreen forest in Indonesia Malaysia and Thailand where it eats mostly fruit supplemented by leaves and to a lesser extent insects.
The Technical Assessment Panel assessed Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) as being moderately dangerous to humans, having a low risk of establishment and a low consequence of establishment. Consequently, the TAP assessment concluded that the risk posed by the Siamang is moderate.
Following the initial risk assessment, the Department considers permitting the importation of animals assessed as ‘moderate risk’ into the State as long as appropriate mitigation measures, enforced through a wildlife exhibition licence, can be identified and applied.
Mitigation options to reduce the risk associated with importing Siamang include:
- Limiting importation to registered wildlife parks or zoos to ensure the holding facility meets the stringent keeping standards Tasmania applies to all institutions.
- Requiring any wildlife park or zoo to submit a Siamang species management plan (including enclosure details) prior to import.
- The wildlife exhibition facility can clearly demonstrate they have proficient keepers for that particular species.