Species identification and observation of kentoi apes (Macaca Arctoides) in Wang Kelian was started by PNW in 2016 through Project Awang in conjunction with a Kentoi ape not named Awang who was released from the Perlis Primate Park in 2012 in Wang Kelian.

 The Awang Project 2016-2017 continues with a new project called Macaca Arctoides Research for Conservation (MARC) 2018-2019 which focuses on research covering inventory, population, taxonomic classification along with university expertise, ecological study and ID collection of individual Kentoi apes for the conservation of special species  the state of Perlis.

 Based on the record of primate species in Malaysia, Kentoi apes can only be found along the Nakawan Range thus making it eligible to be recognized as an iconic animal of the state of Perlis on the privilege.  This research has used PNW's own funds since it was first launched and has not received a grant allocation from any party.  Permission to conduct the study was issued by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia and the Department of Wildlife.