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

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

This is why the birth of Nabalu, a male gibbon born to rescues Candyman and Manis, marks a new milestone in conservation efforts for the species in Sabah.

Gibbon Conservation Society founder and president Mariani Ramli told Bernama that the baby gibbon, named Nabalu, was born at 5.20am on May 8 at the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) site in Kampung Kiau, Kota Belud. Nabalu's mother Manis has been at the centre since January 2023.

According to Mariani, Nabalu's birth is significant not only in Malaysia but globally, as the North Bornean gibbon, locally known as kalawot, had never before been born in captivity or at a rehab centre.

"Nabalu will depend entirely on Manis 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," Mariani added.

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

The name Nabalu 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 added that Nabalu's physical growth and health are excellent, according to veterinary assessments and daily monitoring by the Borneo GReP team.

She also shared that Manis and Candyman had been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade by the state wildlife department and handed over to Borneo GReP for rehabilitation.

The gibbon family will be released into their natural habitat once they meet the seven criteria set by the Gibbon Conservation Society for release. These are:

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

To date, no comprehensive population study of gibbons in Sabah has been conducted, as research has focused more on that other great-ape species - orangutans.

Learn more about the Gibbon Conservation Society on Facebook and Instagram.

Meet Nabalu, the first North Bornean gibbon born in captivity