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Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Endangered North Bornean gibbon born in captivity in Sabah
Liew (centre), flanked by Mohd Soffian (on her left) and Mariani, naming the baby gibbon (INSET) 'Nabalu' after picking the name by drawing names at the ministry's conference room. KOTA KINABALU (June 12): The unprecedented birth of a male gibbon on May 8, 2025, the first in the world to be born in captivity for this species (scientifically known as Hylobates funereus or by its common name North Bornean Gibbon or known as 'Kalawot' in the local native language), has created history for Sabah and Malaysia, said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew. Sabah-born primatologist Mariani Ramli, who is the founder and president of Gibbon Conservation Society (GCS), accorded Liew the honour to name the baby born to parents Candyman and Manis (rescued a couple of years ago) at the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) site at Kg Kiau Bersatu, Kota Belud. Founded in 2013, GCS is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-wilding (or release back into the wild) of Malaysia's forgotten singing apple – gibbons – who are often victims of the illegal wildlife pet trade. Borneo GReP was established in 2022. Newborn Nabalu clings tightly to his mother, Manis, while his father, Candyman, keeps a lookout for potential danger (PR, Photo by courtesy of GCS). 'The birth is a historic first for this endangered species in captivity at a rehabilitation centre. I picked the name 'Nabalu' (meaning Spirit of the Mountain) for this baby gibbon by drawing names provided by Mariani when she paid a courtesy call on me recently,' Liew said, while agreeing to adopt the infant (symbolically). 'The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) through its agency, Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL), supports the Society's gibbon conservation, rehabilitation and re-wilding project,' said Liew. In response to a question from the minister, Mariani, who is the Director of Operations at Borneo GReP, said Nabalu, together with his parents, will be released back into the wild as a family when it is more than six months old. 'With Nabalu's birth, both Manis and Candyman have proven their readiness for 're-wilding',' she added. According to the gibbon expert, successful gibbon 're-wilding' requires fulfilment of all the criteria for release based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Best Practices Guidelines For The Rehabilitation and Translocation of Gibbons. She said these include Brachiation (which means natural swinging from branch to branch), Minimal Time on the Ground (less than five per cent of time, more than 40 per cent in the upper canopy), Proper Socialisation (at least three per cent of time grooming and bonding with others), and Paired with a Child (that is, successful mating and co-parenting of offspring). 'Furthermore, the release site must be agreeable among all stakeholders,' she added. 'They comprise KePKAS, JHL, GCS, and the local community where the Society is going to release the gibbons.' Meanwhile, the minister congratulated Mariani on having gained international recognition for her gibbon conservation and rehabilitation work in Malaysia under the auspices of GCS. Notably, the primatologist was appointed as World Female Ranger Ambassador for Resilience twice – in 2024 and 2025, and the only Malaysian at that. 'With your passion and relentless effort, you (Mariani) have made Sabah and Malaysia proud of your leadership in gibbon conservation through your Society,' Liew remarked. 'We also take pride in the acknowledgement that the two gibbon rehabilitation project sites in Sabah and Pahang, respectively, constitute Malaysia's only IUCN accredited gibbon rehabilitation project centres.' Not many are aware of the existence of GCS, let alone know that it is the organisation that owns, runs and manages the Borneo gibbon rehabilitation project site (Borneo GReP) in Kota Belud. The site in Raub (Pahang) is under the care of operations director Ana Jonessy, also a Sabahan. Director of the Sabah Wildlife Department, Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, who was present during the courtesy call, said gibbons rescued by the department were handed over to Borneo GReP for rehabilitation purposes.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
World's first gibbon born in captivity in Kota Belud
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Manis and Nabalu share a peaceful sunlit moment. Kota Kinabalu: The Gibbon Conservation Society welcomed the birth of a male Hylobates funereus gibbon—a historic first for the endangered species in captivity. The newborn, named Nabalu, arrived at 5.20am on May 8 to parents Manis and Candyman at the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) site in Kampung Kiau Bersatu, Kota Belud. Advertisement The birth marks a significant milestone in wildlife rehabilitation efforts in Malaysia. North Bornean gibbons, also locally known as Kalawot, are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are endemic to Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. 'This birth is especially important as it is the first from a rescued pair of Hylobates funereus—a gibbon species that has, until now, received very little conservation attention,' said Co-Vice Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group (Section on Small Apes), Dr Susan Cheyne. The name 'Nabalu,' which carries deep symbolic meaning, was chosen by State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, who has also symbolically adopted the infant. 'Nabalu not only reflects the sacredness and strength of Mount Kinabalu, but also embodies resilience, rootedness and hope for the future of Borneo's biodiversity and wildlife. It underscores the urgency of protecting what remains of their native habitat,' she said. 'I picked the name 'Nabalu' (Spirit of the Mountain) for this baby gibbon by drawing from names provided by KK-born Mariani 'Bam' Ramli, the World Female Ranger Week Ambassador (2024–2025). 'We take pride in the recognition that the two gibbon rehabilitation project sites in Sabah and Pahang are Malaysia's only IUCN-accredited gibbon rehabilitation centres,' added Liew. The birth of Nabalu also coincides with the first anniversary of Borneo GReP, which was inaugurated on Jan 21, 2023, by Kadamaian Assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedict, alongside officials from the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and key local and global conservation allies. Since its opening, Borneo GReP has grown from housing five gibbons to 12, most of whom were formally surrendered by the SWD, with additional individuals voluntarily handed over by members of the public. 'I started the Malaya Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Malaya GReP) in 2013. As a Sabahan, I felt deeply called to act,' said the society's founder and President, Mariani 'Bam' Ramli. Manis and Candyman were rescued from prolonged captivity, victims of poaching and the illegal pet trade that continues to devastate wild gibbon populations. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
