KOTA KINABALU, Oct 6 — The North Bornean gibbon (Hylobates funereus) has been classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to rampant wildlife trafficking and illegal logging.

This species also faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by forest fires, logging, large-scale forest clearing for monoculture plantations, hunting for food, and the exotic pet trade.

Therefore, the birth of Nabalu, a male gibbon born to a rescued pair, Candyman and Manis, marks a new milestone in the conservation efforts for this species in Sabah.

Founder and president of the Gibbon Conservation Society Mariani Ramli told Bernama that the baby gibbon was born at 5.20 am on May 8 at the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) site in Kampung Kiau, Kota Belud, to a mother that had been at the centre since January 2023.

She said that Nabalu’s birth was a significant milestone not only for wildlife conservation in Malaysia but also globally, as the North Bornean gibbon (Hylobates funereus), locally known as Kalawot, had never before been born in captivity or at a rehabilitation centre under a release-to-the-wild programme.

“Nabalu will depend entirely on his mother for the first two years through natural attachment parenting and breastfeeding, while Candyman acts as the territorial protector and teaches self-defence through play wrestling,” she said.

“Manis has demonstrated excellent maternal instincts that meet the behavioural standards of the species. When Nabalu reaches around three months of age, he will begin to learn about nutrition through observation and imitation, especially from Manis, with support from Candyman,” she added.

The species, commonly referred to as the Eastern Grey Gibbon, is endemic to northeastern Borneo and can be found in Sabah, Sarawak, Kalimantan, and Brunei.

The name Nabalu, chosen by Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew, symbolises the purity and strength of Mount Kinabalu. It reflects resilience, connection to nature, and hope for biodiversity, while emphasising the urgent need to protect Borneo’s remaining natural habitats.

Mariani, the World Female Ranger Week Ambassador for 2024-2025, said the parent gibbons participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation programme at Borneo GReP, during which they underwent several customised rehabilitation phases aimed at rewilding them and restoring their natural behaviours.

Nabalu’s physical growth and health are excellent, according to veterinary assessments and daily monitoring by the Borneo GReP rehabilitation team, she added.

Mariani, a Sabahan, said Borneo GReP is currently conducting a rehabilitation programme for five male and eight female gibbons, preparing them for eventual release into their natural habitat.

On Manis and Candyman, she said the gibbons were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade by the Sabah Wildlife Department and later handed over to Borneo GReP for rehabilitation.

“Our rehabilitation programme includes providing balanced and optimal nutrition for each gibbon, maintaining a calm and stress-free environment, and conducting daily behavioural enrichment activities,” Mariani said.

She added that the gibbon family will be released into their natural habitat once they meet the seven criteria set by the Gibbon Conservation Society for release.

The criteria are natural brachiation (swinging from branch to branch); minimal time spent on the ground (less than 5 per cent on the ground, over 40 per cent in the canopy); proper socialisation; singing duets (consistent species-specific vocalisations); balanced activity levels; minimal stereotypical behaviour; and pair bonding.

Mariani, who has also run the Malaya Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Malaya GReP) in Raub, Pahang, for the past 10 years, said gibbons are arboreal primates that spend most of their lives in trees. Highly social, they live in small monogamous family units with their offspring.

She added that the species has a complex vocal communication system, where mated pairs perform morning duets to mark their territory and teach communication skills to their young.

Gibbons are diurnal and rest at night. Their diet consists mainly of fruits but also includes young leaves, flowers, and occasionally insects and bird eggs.

“Physically, gibbons have no tails and possess long arms relative to their body size, allowing them to move easily between tree branches,” Mariani said.

To date, no comprehensive population study of gibbons in Sabah has been conducted, as most research has focused on the more familiar great ape species, the orangutan.

Borneo GReP, which began operations in January 2023, has implemented various eco-edu tourism programmes involving the local Kadazan-Dusun community, including handicraft workshops, traditional cooking classes, and introductions to medicinal wild plants and herbs. — Bernama