Saving Malaysia's Gibbons
EL Singapore|May 2020
Hidden in the depths of the Malaysian jungle is an extraordinary woman making it her life’s mission to rehabilitate gibbons.
Carolyn Hall
Saving Malaysia's Gibbons

Having spent more than a decade with the Malaysian Wildlife Department, MARIANI “BAM” RAMLI believes in the need for raising awareness on conservation in general, and rehabilitation issues particularly. So, she has branched out alone in order to follow what has become undeniably a passion: that of giving white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) – the only singing apes of Malaysia – a voice.

I’ve come to assist as a volunteer (for a mere five weeks) on her project to save this ape, which appears on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. And I’m experiencing first-hand the sound of these creatures as they sing – for love, for property, for family, for the joy of it. It’s a haunting sound, somewhat mournful but also beautiful, as it rings clearly through the misty jungle each morning.

The males and females join together in a duet, each distinctive in contributing their own song. I’m learning to distinguish by ear the male song from the female; I am also learning to distinguish the individuals that are singing.

Bam’s gibbons

Sharing a 97 percent DNA match with us, these animals are more like humans than we care to admit. And, like humans, each one of the dozen gibbons that Bam looks after has their own personality – their own likes and dislikes, and their own voice. And each has their own sad story. Here are just a few of those:

Daru was under two years old when he arrived, totally malnourished as well as traumatised from being kept in a very small cage surrounded by dogs.

This story is from the May 2020 edition of EL Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2020 edition of EL Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EL SINGAPOREView All
Say Namaste!
Expat Living Singapore

Say Namaste!

Want to turn an ordinary workout into a transformative experience for body and mind? Roll out the mat and discover the many benefits of yoga and Pilates at these two top studios in Singapore.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
5 Road Trips In Western Australia
Expat Living Singapore

5 Road Trips In Western Australia

Looking for a wind-in-the-hair adventure? Head Down Under and hire a car!

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2024
Birthday Shopping Fun!
Expat Living Singapore

Birthday Shopping Fun!

In the lead up to my last birthday (lucky 44), my friends asked what I'd like for a joint present. The answer was easy - a gift voucher for Badger & Fox! That way I could put their kind gestures into something I really wanted rather than them taking a shot in the dark. Here's why, and what I invested in.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Two Is Better Than One
Expat Living Singapore

Two Is Better Than One

This month is all about celebrating women and their friendships-including that of Cove Collection founders JACQUIE HOURIHANE and EMILY GREALLY. From good friends to successful business partners, this dynamic duo is doing it all-while having tons of fun!

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
An Unexpected Sanctuary
Expat Living Singapore

An Unexpected Sanctuary

While tigers aren't native to Africa, it doesn't mean they can't thrive in African habitats. At Tiger Canyon Private Game Reserve in South Africa, a careful conservation effort is underway to protect this endangered big cat species. EL's LARA SAGE finds out more.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
New in Phuket
Expat Living Singapore

New in Phuket

M Social Phuket is a new hotel located in a trendy corner of Patong that offers easy access to Thailand's gorgeous coastline and is also rolling out some enticing culinary offerings over the next couple of months. We take a look at three of them, below, and run our eye over the wide range of room options.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
More than a Meal
Expat Living Singapore

More than a Meal

Blurring the lines between home kitchen and mini restaurant, this hidden culinary gem is bringing the sun-kissed flavours of the Mediterranean to life in Singapore.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
Making Moves
Expat Living Singapore

Making Moves

TANVI TRIVEDI touched her first chess piece at the age of four and a half. In the subsequent four-and-a-half years, the Singapore PR has represented the little red dot in numerous chess tournaments and achieved some podium finishes - her most recent being Gold in the Under-8 Girls category at the 15th Penang Heritage Open Challenger in December 2023. Here, she tells us what she loves about chess-plus her parents share a tip for nurturing talent in young ones.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Breaking It Down
Expat Living Singapore

Breaking It Down

Elementary School students running a marathon? Sounds like a big ask! Here's how it's done at the Singapore American School (SAS).

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
Giving Back
Expat Living Singapore

Giving Back

During the year-end festivities of December 2023, the community of Stamford American International School helped to spread some joy to migrant workers in Singapore.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024