Freedom for Gibbons: Malaysia's Singing Apes

We need $24,219 to fund the next-gen satellite tracking technology that will allow us to monitor both gibbon families in real time!

What Will Your Donation Support?

Your donation will directly support a groundbreaking step forward in gibbon rehabilitation and conservation: the purchase of next-gen satellite tracking implants with real-time feeds for Ebony, Coley, Embun and Rangga–parents to Axel and Mantra.

Feature	Conventonial Monitoring	Next-Gen Satellite Tracking
How Data is Collected	Requires humans to physically track gibbons.	Continuous, automated tracking even in inclement weather via satellite.
Coverage	Limited to areas reachable by humans.	24/7 monitoring across natural ranges.
Accuracy	Inconsistent, with many data gaps.	Precise, reliable, and ongoing
Impact on Gibbons and Other Wildlife	Inevitably influenced by human presence — which can either stress the gibbons or limit their movement due to habituation, and affect their natural behaviors.	No disturbance to gibbons and other wildlife.
Information Provided	Mostly location-based.	Rich behavioral and movement insights.
Response Time	Delayed; depends on human observation.	Immediate alerts via dashboard of potential low-risk to life-threatening issues.
Conservation Value	Partial picture of adaptation.	Complete, evidence-based understanding

Conventional monitoring often requires teams to follow gibbons in the forest. This monitoring method is labor-intensive, limited in coverage, and inevitably influenced by human presence — which can either stress the gibbons or limit their movement due to habituation, and affect their natural behaviors.

With next-gen satellite tracking implants, data is collected continuously and remotely, even in inclement weather, offering a complete, uninterrupted record of how the gibbons move, interact, and establish themselves in the wild.

Imagine spending years trapped in a tiny cage, deprived of the freedom to stretch your limbs, to feel the sun on your skin, unable to roam free.

For Ebony, Coley, Rangga and Embun, this was their reality. Stolen from the wild, they endured years of isolation, neglect, physical and emotional abuse. 

Ebony, Axel's mom.

This is the heartbreaking reality for many gibbons in Malaysia. But today, you can help change that.

Rehabilitating gibbons is a complex process that takes between 5 and 15 years. For these families, the time has come to take the final steps towards freedom, and we need your help to make it happen!

Your Impact

When Coley arrived at our center, his future seemed bleak. Malnourished and abused as a pet, he couldn’t swing or climb like a wild gibbon.  Ebony’s story was just as heartbreaking—years of neglect left her confined to a tiny basket, scarred both mentally and physically.

Coley's progress timeline.

But then, something incredible happened. Slowly, with proper rehabilitation, both Ebony and Coley began to heal. Coley’s weak muscles grew stronger, and soon he was swinging across his enclosure. For the first time in his life, he could move freely. Ebony, though still carrying the emotional scars of her past, found comfort in Coley.  Against all odds, the two formed a bond, and that bond became a family.

Ebony's progress timeline.

In 2023, their baby Axel was born—the first gibbon ever born in a Malaysian rehabilitation center. Axel represents everything we work for: a new beginning, a future where gibbons no longer face the horrors of captivity and exploitation.

Baby Axel's progress timeline.

Something similar happened to Rangga and Embun. When Rangga arrived at Malaya GReP, he was severely distressed. It took more than 3 years of proper rehabilitation to have him expressing gibbon behaviours such as brachating. Embun, on the other hand, began her process at just 3 months old. Her early exposure to a structured, species-appropriate environment allowed her to quickly build the skills that many former pet gibbons struggle to regain.

Rangga, Mantra's dad.

The magic happened when they bonded, which soon turned into a family. Baby Mantra was born, carrying a story of resilience and hope, not just for this little family, but for the entire gibbon species in Malaysia.

Embun and little Mantra.

Axel and Mantra's birth mark a turning point for the entire gibbon species in Malaysia. 

But their story isn’t over yet. They still need your help to make their journey to freedom complete.

By supporting this release, you’re not just helping six gibbons—you’re playing a crucial role in the conservation of a critically endangered species and co-creating a sustainable future for indigenous communities.

Little Axel resting in Ebony's embrace.

Along with ensuring these families a successful return to the wild, we are dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities. Through training and job opportunities, we will equip them to become rangers and nature guides, offering sustainable incomes through eco-edu tourism programs that protect wildlife and promote environmental stewardship.

Your donation today will transform lives—both human and gibbon.