GCS said Mariani, fondly known as Bam among her friends, would be actively participating in World Female Ranger Week (WFRW) from June 23-30.

“Her work with GCS, including the rehabilitation of gibbons and the establishment of two rehabilitation centres in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, highlights the significant contribution women are making in this field.

“She holds the notable distinction of being the only Malaysian included in this prestigious list of global ambassadors, highlighting her exceptional contributions to wildlife conservation,” GCS said in a statement.

The WFRW, led by the international NGO How Many Elephants, is a global awareness initiative that celebrates and supports female wildlife rangers.

“From her personal journey in founding GCS to her relentless efforts to protect Malaysian gibbons, Bam’s groundbreaking work in the field of primatology and her dedication to the rehabilitation of gibbons have earned her widespread recognition,” the statement said.

Mariani and her team started the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project under GCS in 2013, with the aim of “rewilding” rescued gibbons and ensuring they may one day thrive and sing in their natural habitat.

Malaysia is home to five species of gibbons – the siamang, lar gibbon, agile gibbon, North Bornean gibbon, and Abbot’s gibbon. All are categorised as “endangered” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Gibbons are considered a “totally protected” species but remain under threat from poachers and traders looking to make some quick money.