History of Highland Farm
A Gibbon Named Miss Chester
Founded by Pharanee (Thai) and William E. Deters (American), Highland Farm (HF) sprang to life in 1991 while building their dream retirement property. Having lived and worked in the US for many years, the Deters wanted a 'quiet' place to enjoy their post-career years in Pharanee's native Thailand.
They purchased 35 acres of deforested land 42km south of Mae Sot, in Tak province, a mountainous region along the Thai-Myanmar border and began to reforest it with native vegetation. Once barren, rolling hills were transformed into a flourishing property, which now supports several thousand trees bearing fruits, nuts as well as twelve species of hardwood.
While developing their farm a wildlife refuge accidentally came about when a local hunter brought an injured, infant gibbon he had taken from its mother after shooting her from a tree. The Deters decided to take her in, purchasing the ape for 500 Baht ($US14 - the only animal they have ever paid for), named her Chester and learned how to care for this new and interesting family member. Initially thought to be male, Chester is now 'Miss Chester' and was the inspiration for HF. Now home to more than 40 gibbons from three different species, one sub-species and a slew of other monkeys, peacocks, geese and other creatures, Highland you could say has grown by apes and bounds!
Highland Farm is a lifetime refuge for abandoned, mistreated, and/or physically injured gibbons and other creatures in need, as once they are removed from their natural environments they quickly forget how to forge on their own and can never be returned to the wild.
Gibbons Given a Chance to Flourish
Gibbons come to HF along many different paths; some were kept as pets, others are from bars where they posed for photos with tourists and some from zoos, yet their need for special care and love is the same. After settling into their safe and secure surroundings at HF their health/happiness quickly improves and they can enjoy spending their days singing with the other 'kids' as Pharanee calls her beloved gibbons.
Highland Farm operates entirely on private funds and donations and continues to rescue and receive gibbons from government officials, temples, missionaries, bars and Thai citizens on a daily basis. After the sudden passing of her husband in May 2002, Pharanee now operates HF with the help of a handful of dedicated staff and generous donations from people around the world.
“Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though.... That's the problem.” —Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh
Gibbons are extremely acrobatic and agile. They spend most of their life in the trees. They move by swinging gracefully from branches and vines; this is called brachiating. When they brachiate, they use four fingers of their hands like a hook (but not the thumb). They can also walk along small branches high up in the air, like tightrope walkers; they use outstretched arms to help keep their balance. Gibbons can also leap acrobatically across large gaps in the tree canopy from tree branch to tree branch; gibbons have been known to leap over 30 feet (9 m) in a single jump.