Using occupancy-based surveys and multi-model inference to estimate abundance and distribution of crested gibbons (Nomascus spp.) in central Laos.

Reliable assessments of species' status are prerequisites for monitoring the success of conservation programmes. However, survey conditions such as terrain and inaccessibility, compounded by the low densities of many species across Southeast Asia and other parts of the world are considerable barriers to obtaining robust populations estimates. We used an occupancy-based approach and multi-model inference to generate occupancy and abundance estimates for northern white-cheeked crested gibbons Nomascus leucogenys and southern white-cheeked crested gibbons N.