Project

Aid for the gibbons on Borneo

The Northern Gray Gibbon (Hylobates funereus) is one of the rarest primate species in the world. They are classified as critically endangered according to the IUCN and urgently need our help.

Together with the Gibbon Conservation Society in Malaysia, we have drawn up a major master plan for a holistic center that also includes plans for local jobs, sustainable tourism and reforestation. The goal is to establish a gibbon sanctuary in Borneo to rescue, care for, and release these endangered primates back into the wild.

Picture: © Charles Ryan

Why Gibbons?

Borneo’s rainforest is one of the oldest and most biodiverse rainforests in the world. It is one of the few remaining natural habitats for the endangered Bornean Orangutan and various Gibbon species. At the same time, the forests are an important refuge for the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, the Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Borneo Clouded Leopard, as well as numerous species of plants and birds.

Since the introduction of commercial logging, oil palm companies have been clearing vast areas of virgin forest at rates that often exceed deforestation rates in the Amazon, causing many species, such as gibbons, to lose their habitat. As seed dispersers, primates serve an extremely important role in maintaining a healthy and diverse forest ecosystem.

While deforestation contributes to forest decline, the greatest threat to gibbons is the illegal wildlife trade. Entire gibbon families are killed by traffickers for their babies to be sold as pets.

Although gibbons face these urgent threats, there is as yet no sanctuary for these rare animals on the island of Borneo. Of the twenty gibbon species worldwide, five are found exclusively on Borneo. In the Malaysian part of Borneo the “Northern Gray Gibbon” (Hylobates funereus) can be found, whose population is currently classified as critically endangered according to the IUCN.

Our Partner on Site

Together with the GCS Malaysia (Gibbon Conservation Society) we would like to address the conservation of the “Northern Gray Gibbon” with this project. Mariani “Bam” Ramli is the President of the GCS in Malaysia and a member of the IUCN SSC Section on Small Apes. She has led the GCS since 2013, which is audited annually by the IUCN (World Conservation Union).

The founder is already running the first Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GReP) of Malaysia. In line with this plan, the first GReP on the island of Borneo is now to be established – with Nepada Wildlife e.V. as international support. Bam brings eight years and countless animals of experience with him.

Milestones

September 2025 – Donation for veterinary care

Thanks to your support, we were able to donate an additional €3,500 to GCS for veterinary care for the gibbons at the facility.

JANUARY 2023 – OPENING OF THE PROJECT STATION

Official opening of our project station in Sabah, Borneo and arrival of five gibbons, which are being prepared for release into the wild.

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2022 – PREPARATION FOR MOVE-IN

Training of a rehabilitation leader for the gibbons at our rehabilitation centre in Borneo. And: Thanks to your donations, we were able to raise € 3,400 for our gibbon project on Borneo as part of our “Wild Christmas Campaign”.

MAY 2022 – FIRST ENCLOSURES

The first five enclosures were built with local villagers under the guidance of Bam, the founder of the Gibbon Conservation Society.

MARCH 2022 – MORE IMMEDIATE AID

Thanks to your support, we were able to transfer € 13,400 to our partner organization. This donation will be used to purchase all the materials needed to build five gibbon enclosures and to fund local labour to build them.

FEBRUARY 2022 – PROJECT SITE FOUND

After a long search – Corona too made it quite difficult – our partner organization GCS, with the support of the local mayor, has found a suitable area in Sabah, Borneo, where our joint project can be built.

May 2021 – First Quick Aid

Thanks to your support, we have raised € 5,000 in emergency aid to protect the endangered Bornean gibbons! With these donations we can provide food and milk for all animals, veterinary care, a full time foster home and the complete corona provision for the team all year round!

Next Steps

Until the establishment of a rehabilitation and education center for the East Bornean Grey Gibbon, Nepada Wildlife e.V. is concentrating its efforts especially on the preparation of appropriate grant applications as well as on the financial support of the current work of the GCS in Malaysia.