Gibbons sanctuary appealing for funds to survive MCO

CORONAVIRUS | The Gibbon Protection Society Malaysia (GPSM) is appealing for urgent donations to sustain its operations in the jungles of Pahang.

In her public appeal for help, GPSM president Mariani Ramli (above) said the funds raised would be used to feed 12 gibbons under their care, as well as several guard dogs.

"With the current Covid-19 situation, everything has stopped suddenly... even the cash that usually comes in.

"We have rationed our food supplies to the best of our ability but we can't seem to stretch further into April," said Mariani, who is known for her work to end the illegal wildlife trade.

"Believe me, we are not talking about humans here. It is for the precious gibbons and whatever leftovers are for our guard dogs (they too have been trained to eat the leftover fruits).

"I'm appealing to you and your friends (if you could kindly include them) to spare some kind thoughts for the gibbons by making a small contribution to help us see this through," she said.

There are five species of gibbons found in Malaysia and all five species are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

The white-handed gibbon, dark-handed or agile gibbon and the siamang are found in Peninsular Malaysia, while Muller’s gibbon and Abbott’s grey gibbon live in Sabah and Sarawak.

Under Malaysia’s Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, anyone who hunts or keeps baby gibbons without a special permit can be fined up to RM200,000 and/or jailed up to 10 years.

In past interviews, the 33-year-old former wildlife ranger had opened up about how her first encounter with a gibbon rescued from an illegal wildlife trader had led to her current role with GPSM, the only NGO in Peninsular Malaysia dedicated to gibbon conservation.

All donations can be channelled to:

Gibbon Protection Society Malaysia

Maybank (Taman Melawati Branch)

Account No: 5622 0965 3000

Swift Code: MBBEMYKL

or

Paypal: paypal.me/gibbonprotectionMsia

- Mkini