Gibbons inspire EF grad’s book

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

A single class in animal behavior at California University of Pennsylvania changed everything for Gina Munir, a 2011 graduate of Elizabeth Forward High School.

“If you asked any of my high school teachers about me and told them I was getting my doctorate, they wouldn’t believe you,” Munir said. “I was bad at math. I hated sitting still. But as soon as I was out of school and knew what I wanted to do, that all changed.”

Munir began her studies at Cal U with the intent of going into medicine.

“I found myself restless in class. I took an animal behavior class and interned at the Pittsburgh Zoo working with siamangs, a type of gibbon. I changed my major the next day,” Munir said.

Munir said she has an affinity for the gibbons, which don’t have the popularity other apes get from the public.

“They’re kind of the underdog. They have these long arms and long fingers that make them look like aliens.” Munir said. “They are the only pair-bonded apes. The others live in large groups. They’re also the only singing apes. They do duets at dusk and dawn.”

Working with Leela, a female siamang, Munir came to realize how intelligent the animal was and she found a new challenge for her life.

“I was going to make people love these apes,” Munir said. “I honestly always wanted to work with gorillas, then I met Leela.”

Leela and her baby, Cahya, were the inspiration for a children’s book Munir has written. 

“The book is actually based on Leela’s daughter, who I helped raise at the Pittsburgh Zoo because Leela was unable to raise her,” Munir said.

The picture book, “Siti and Cahya,” is set in Borneo, Malaysia, and tells the story of a young girl who gets lost in the jungle and finds a small gibbon that has lost her family. They become friends, helping one another find their families while also learning about conservation and compassion.

Munir said she wants the book to both entertain and educate.

“I believe it is part of being a scientist,” she said. “It is an occupational obligation to teach people about what you study. I wanted to find a way to educate children about the apes and what’s going on in Borneo and teach them in a fun way,” Munir said.

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.