KOTA KINABALU, June 12 -- The unprecedented birth of a male gibbon on May 8, 2025, the first in the world to be born in captivity for this species (scientifically known as Hylobates funereus or by its common name North Bornean Gibbon or known as "Kalawot" in the local native language), has created history for Sabah and Malaysia, said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew.

Sabah-born primatologist Mariani Ramli, who is the founder and president of Gibbon Conservation Society (GCS), accorded Liew the honour to name the baby born to parents Candyman and Manis (rescued a couple of years ago) at the Borneo Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (Borneo GReP) site at Kg Kiau Bersatu, Kota Belud.

Founded in 2013, GCS is...