Malaysian Primatological Society (MPS)
Malaysia is a highly primate-diverse country with rich natural habitat but currently 24 of the 25 species of primates in Malaysia are regarded as threatened. Knowing that, we established Malaysian Primatological Society as a registered NGO under Registry of Society (No: PPM-004-07-02032015) in 2015 to focus on primate conservation, research, outreach, and training in Malaysia. The aim of MPS is to act as coordinator and facilitator of primate-related research and conservation in Malaysia:
- upgrade current research to an international level,
- work towards conservation of endangered local primate species, and
- to create broad public awareness on relevant topics related to Malaysian primates.
Currently, there are five working projects under the umbrella of MPS: Langur Project Penang (LPP), Primate Watch Malaysia, Gibbons of Peninsular Malaysia (UNGKA), Macaca Nemestrina Project (MNeP), and Night Spotting Project (NSP).
MPS is collaboratively working with USM’s Primate Research and Conservation Lab to build a platform for students, researchers and the public to participate in primate conservation. Memberships are open to national and international citizens of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in volunteering to conduct various primate conservation programs in Malaysia.
Our works are funded by The Habitat Foundation, The Rufford Foundation, Orangutan Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund, Nagao Conservation Fund, and others.
Check out our new website to learn more about our projects and support our cause. And don’t forget to check out some programs by our partners, some of which could be also donating to support us!
Team
I am Dr Nadine Ruppert, the scientific advisor of MPS and a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia. I have a BSc and MSc in Tropical Biology & Animal Ecology from University Würzburg, Germany and a PhD in Zoology in Mammalogy from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Leading the Macaca Nemestrina Project and supervising other primate projects in USM, I am exploring the role of primates in anthropogenically shaped landscapes and ways to conserve them. I am also a member of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group for Small Apes.
My name is Zaki Zainol, currently serving as the Vice President of MPS and a PhD candidate in Zoology at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). As one of the coordinators of Primate Watch Malaysia’s outreach under MPS, I work closely with government agencies to intervene against wildlife crime and to promote nature awareness among Malaysians. My PhD project focuses on human-wildlife conflict (HWC) and the wildlife value orientation (WVO), exploring ethno-primatological influences on illegal primate trade in Malaysia. I am also a member of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group for Human-Primate Interaction Section.
My name is Aini Hasanah, the current Secretary General of Malaysian Primatological Society (MPS) and a PhD candidate from Universiti Sains Malaysia focusing on conservation management of Bornean orangutans in Malaysia. I am also the head coordinator and founder of “Primate Watch Malaysia”, a research project focusing on integrating technology such as conservation drones for with orangutan conservation and education purposes. My area of interest is on environmental education and interdisciplinary approach in conservation efforts that focuses on primate work. I am a member of IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Primate Specialist Group’s Section on Small Apes, also the key co-ordinator for Conservation Optimism for Society of Conservation Biology Malaysia.
I am Jo Leen, the Assistant Secretary General of MPS and a certified nature educator (by Malaysian Regional Nature Guide by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture). I am currently pursuing my PhD degree in Zoology at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). I am the founder and head of Langur Project Penang (LPP) exploring the behaviour and ecology of dusky langurs (Trachypithecus obscurus). Langur Project Penang (LPP) is an uprising primate research and education platform for students and the local community.
My name is Priscillia Miard , a member of MPS and a PhD candidate in Zoology at Universiti Sains Malaysia. I founded and lead Night Spotting Project (NPS_ which is studying and raising awareness on nocturnal mammals. Born in France, I obtained my Masters in Primate Conservation at Oxford Brookes University, UK before pursuing my doctorate degree in Malaysia. My interest about the nocturnal animals started when I was still very young and I have since studied slow loris and tarsier distribution and behaviour and ecological knowledge to help conserving the natural world.
My name is Nurul Iza Adrina , a board member of MPS and currently pursuing my PhD in Zoology at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). I am one of the co-founder of Gibbons of Peninsular Malaysia (UNGKA – Small Ape Research and Outreach). My research project is on population, abundance and conservation status of small apes (gibbons) in northern Peninsular Malaysia, where all three species of gibbons are listed Endangered in the IUCN Red List. I work closely with the indigenous Batek tribe in Taman Negara Pahang for data collection.
My name is Ethan Pang (aka Pang Yi Heng), and a member of MPS and a MSc candidate in Zoology at Universiti Sains Malaysia researching the population of agile gibbons in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah. I have a BSc degree in Zoology (major) and Botany (minor). I am currently working as senior project executive at The Habitat Foundation. I am also one of the co-founder of UNGKA (Small Apes of Malaysia Research & Outreach). The name “ungka” is derived from the word “gibbon” in the Malay language. UNGKA’s main goal is to assess the distribution, abundance and conservation status of gibbons in Peninsula Malaysia in order to inform feasible conservation management plans, and to educate local communities about the importance of small apes.