KOTA BELUD: The Gibbon Protection Society Malaysia (GPSM) is working with the state government to set up a gibbon rehabilitation centre here.
Its founder, Mariani Ramli, said that they recently identified a suitable area for the centre at Kampung Rantai Rosok, here.
“We made our presentation to the Sabah Wildlife Department after we identified the area a few months ago.
“The department is keen to assist us and we are now working on the budget estimation for the centre and the status of the land,” she said.
Kota Belud-native Mariani said the centre, which will cover an area of between 10 and 15 acres, has a suitable environment for gibbons, including tall trees and Rafflesia flowers.
Besides rehabilitating gibbons, the centre will become an education hub for the public, especially students, who can learn more about the primate.
“Many people are not very familiar with the gibbon.
“There have also been few studies on the species. The last population study was in Peninsular Malaysia in the 1980s,” Mariani added.
The gibbon, a monogamous primate, is facing extinction due to poaching, as they are sought as pets or gastronomic delicacies.
“Some locals think that gibbon meat is a luxurious delicacy, as the species lives up on the canopy and only eats fresh food,” Mariani said.