The Gibbon Rehabilitation Projects are Malaysia’s first small ape rehabilitation centres, with Malaya GReP established in 2013 and Borneo GReP established in 2022. Both GRePs help orphaned captive gibbons and other primates that are victims of the illegal pet trade, bushmeat and other unfortunate situations.
The projects aim to continuously give proper care, nutrition, rehabilitation and re-wilding guidance to as many primates as we can accommodate, so they can reclaim their survival skills and return back into the wild to become a functional part of the natural ecosystem.
In order to return to the wild, gibbons must be both physically and mentally ready, as well as achieve 7 criteria of release according to IUCN guidelines.
“Rehabilitation needs to be carried out under scientifically approved guidelines, otherwise the majority of released animals will perish in the wild, and this will contribute nothing to the overall survival of the species.” Fisher & Lindenmayer (2000) assessed 87 animal relocations throughout the world and found that 19 were successful, 22 had failed and 46 had unknown outcomes. This is why proper rehabilitation is very important, so that the gibbons can have the best chance at a successful and long lasting release into the wild.
Rehabilitation is not an easy process, with most gibbons requiring 5 to 15 years of rehabilitation. Depending on each individual gibbon’s age and history, they will need to learn to overcome different things, as many of them are left traumatised by their experiences. Through personalised guidance and encouragement, we help each individual move forward and prepare them for life in the wild. Rehabilitation is both physical and psychological treatment, mainly focusing on psychological treatment.
The Malaya Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Malaya GReP) is located in Raub, Pahang (West Malaysia) and the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) is located in Kota Belud, Sabah (East Malaysia).
What is proper rehabilitation?
The process in which wildlife are treated, guided, and assisted on their journey back to the wild. Every individual animal needs to be healthy and prepared (physically and mentally) to return to the forest so that they can not only survive, but thrive.
Rehabilitation Process
The above diagram is an explanation of rehabilitation simplified for the purposes of easy understanding. These are only some of the major stages. It is a long, complicated process and is estimated to take as long as 5 to 15 years!
Our gibbons are either surrendered by the public or rescued/confiscated by government bodies. Upon arrival gibbons need to be first assessed both physically and mentally.
Gibbons that come to us are often in horrible mental and physical conditions. Many of them have some form of stereotypic behaviour as a result of their abuse at human hands. Below are some of the conditions gibbons are often subjected to as pets.
- Inappropriate diets & malnutrition.
- Confined in small cages.
- Unhygienic conditions.
- Punished for behaving like gibbons.
- Abandoned when no longer ‘easy’.
- Human diseases.
- Forced to wear clothes & perform unnatural behaviour.
- No experience of natural environment.
- High stress environments
- Sexually abused
When can gibbons be released?
At both GRePs, we follow IUCN best practice guidelines for the rehabilitation of gibbons.
Click on the button to learn more about the international standard.
FAQs
Currently, we are not open to the public. A key part of rehabilitation is to reduce human contact and interaction for the gibbons, that is why we cannot allow big groups of people to visit. However, we do allow for private visits depending on the situation. We also do have group programs but these programs are carried out outside of rehabilitation areas so the gibbons are not disturbed. If you’d like to arrange a private visit or group program, please send an email to contactus@gibbonconservationsociety.org
Studies show that 90% of wildlife released without rehabilitation will die in the wild. Many people assume their instincts will kick in but if an animal has spent a long time in a non-natural situation or environment (i.e. being kept as a pet), they wont know how to survive in the jungle. It is important that every animal is given the appropriate rehabilitation for their species before they are released.
Yes! You can find out more about our volunteer program here: GReP Volunteer Program