The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

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Category: Gibbon

Labor of Love for Perth Zoo Keepers

October 2, 2014

Gibbon, Perth Zoo

A rare Javan Gibbon has survived the first few months of life, all thanks to the round-the-clock care and attention provided by the staff at Perth Zoo, Western Australia.

Photo Credits: Perth Zoo

The little male Javan Gibbon, named ‘Owa’ (Indonesian for ‘gibbon’), was born on June 20^th, and has had to be reared by Perth Zoo keepers. Six days after his birth, it became evident that his mother, ‘Hecla’, wasn’t producing enough milk to sustain her infant.

Primate Supervisor, Holly Thompson, said, “It is difficult to rear a primate and introduce it back to its family, so it’s not something we took on lightly. However, Perth Zoo has an exceptionally good track record in this area. We’ve successfully hand-reared four White-Cheeked Gibbons, but Owa is our first Javan Gibbon!”

According to Holly, life in her department has become a blur of nappies, milk formula and sleepless nights. Their department now features a portacot, and has been essentially turned into a temporary nursery. However, Thompson emphasizes, “It’s certainly a labor of love!”

Currently weighing in at a healthy 860g (1.9 lbs), Owa receives six bottle feeds a day and has just started enjoying mashed fruit and vegetables.

The infant Javan Gibbon visits his mother and father, ‘Jury’, and four-year-old sister, ‘Sunda’, at least twice a day. The group is very interested and protective of him, and it’s anticipated that he will return to his family once he is old enough to be weaned off his milk feeds.

Owa is Hecla’s tenth offspring. Hecla and her mate, Jury, are the world’s most successful breeding pair of Javan Gibbons. Perth Zoo is responsible for the coordination of the Studbook for this unique species, which involves updating the international studbook for Javan Gibbons and advising on suitable breeding and genetics for this species throughout Australasia.

See more great pics and learn more, below the fold!

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Baby Gibbon is in Good Hands at Jackson Zoo

December 13, 2013

Gibbon, Jackson Zoo

A warm welcome to the newest White-handed Gibbon born at Mississippi's Jackson Zoo! The baby is a little female named Jari, an Indonesian word meaning 'fingers'. She was born on November 22 to mom Mia and father Cookie-Man, and weighed 1.3 pounds (.6 kg) at birth.

The infant is being hand-raised by veterinary staff due to complications and an unreliable parenting history. Animal care staff feel this is the best way to ensure that the little baby will grow up healthy and safely. The newborn is now under the constant care of veterinary technician Donna Todd. She is being fed half an ounce of formula every 2 to 3 hours, 24 hours a day. Visitors can see the new White-handed Gibbon weekdays at the 11:00 a.m. feeding at the Vet Hospital nursery window.

Photo credit: Jackson Zoo / Chris Todd

The Jackson Zoo houses a breeding pair of White-handed Gibbons as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP). An SSP is a cooperative breeding program between zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The programs help to coordinate breeding between zoos to keep the captive population healthy and genetically diverse. This management is especially vital for the conservation of species that are threatened in the wild.

White-handed Gibbons are listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Living in the evergreen forests of Indonesia and Malaysia, the White-handed Gibbon eats mainly fruits and leaves. Because they consume both the fruit and the seeds, these small apes are important seed dispersers, with some plant species relying solely on the Gibbon for dispersal. Currently, the main threats to the wild Gibbon population is hunting and habitat loss.
Gibbon Conservation Center Celebrates Birth of Critically Endangered Species

November 6, 2013

Gibbon, Gibbon Conservation Center

The Gibbon Conservation Center in southern California just shared with us some photos of a newly-arrived Northern White-cheeked Gibbon! The buff colored gibbon holding the baby is the mother and the dark one is the father. Babies are born with light-colored hair, which will darken with maturity if the gibbon is male.

The center has welcomed six new infants in the last 18 months, a sure sign that the residents are comfortable and well cared-for. The gibbons live in family groups, adults and offspring, giving visitors the opportunity to observe family-oriented behavioral patterns, infant care and development. Though in captivity, these creatures are not tame: they are focused on their families, claiming their territories and on finding the food that is provided for them several times a day.

Photo credits: Gibbon Conservation Center

The Gibbon Conservation Center focuses on the study and conservation of gibbons – small apes from the forests of South, East, and Southeast Asia. The center participates in the Species Survival Plan for Northern White-cheeked Gibbons, a captive breeding program that coordinates breeding of genetically diverse individuals between zoos. The Northern White-cheeked Gibbon is now extinct in southern Yunnan, China and is nearly extinct in northern Vietnam, and Critically Endangered in Laos. There are more Northern White-cheeked Gibbons in North American and European zoos than in the wild in China and northern Vietnam, where fewer than 500 are left. This gibbon species is the rarest primate in the wild currently in a successful captive breeding program.

See more photos after the fold!

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UPDATE: Baby Gibbon Reaches 2-Month Milestone

July 6, 2013

Gibbon, Greensboro Science Center

A rare Javan Gibbon baby at the Greensboro Science Center
celebrated his two-month birthday last week, thanks to the dedicated efforts of
staff and volunteers.

Photo Credit: Greensboro Science Center

Born on April 29, the infant Gibbon was discovered abandoned
by his mother, Isabella, as described in an earlier Zooborns
post. Despite attempts to reunite
mother and baby, staff and volunteers have been hand-rearing the baby 24 hours a day.

Because baby Gibbons cling to their mothers day and night,
zoo keepers wear a special furry vest to allow the male baby, named Duke, to
cling to them. Duke receives formula
from a bottle. Zoo keepers spend the
night with Duke so he is never alone.

Zoo keepers bring Duke to see his mother, and, although they
are separated by a fence, the two vocalize and touch each other. The zoo staff plans to reunite the Gibbon
family within a few months.

Javan Gibbons are endangered on the island of Java in
Indonesia, their only wild home. Only
about 4,000 of these apes, also called Silvery Gibbons, remain in the
wild. Their forest habitat is under
intense pressure from the island’s burgeoning human population.

See more pictures of Duke below the fold.

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Miracle Baby Gibbon Rescued at Greensboro Science Center

May 18, 2013

Gibbon, Greensboro Science Center

On April 29, Isabella, the Greensboro Science Center’s (GSC)
rare and endangered Javan Gibbon, gave birth to a baby boy. In both the wild and
in zoos, it’s not unusual for first-time mother Gibbons to abandon their first
child, and that’s exactly what happened to the fragile newborn, who was discovered
alone in the Gibbon habitat. Thanks to the expert care of zoo keepers,
veterinarians, and the staff of a local hospital, the baby, named Duke, was
revived and stabilized. To give Duke the
best chance of survival, zoo staffers decided to hand-rear the baby for the
next six months until he is self-sustaining, then try to reintroduce him to his
parents, Isabella and Leon, in the exhibit.

The compelling story of Duke’s first few hours of life and
the days immediately following his discovery are detailed below.

Photo Credit: Greensboro Science Center

In the early morning of April 29, a zoo keeper discovered a
tiny, full-term baby Javan Gibbon lying without its mother inside the Gibbons’
indoor habitat. She immediately wrapped the seemingly lifeless and cold infant
into her jacket and ran back to the animal hospital. Slowly, the baby started
to warm up and began moving and vocalizing. Keepers held the baby in their arms
and up against the body for contact and continuous warmth the first critical
hours. Room temperatures were increased to 85 degrees. Once warmed and clinging
firmly to a toy Gibbon, Duke was given tiny drops of fluid to rehydrate, then
he began taking diluted formula. Duke
gained strength and opened his eyes forcing a crucial decision: Should the
staff try to introduce him back to Isabella or not? Knowing that parent
rearing is always the best option (though filled with risk given the initial
abandonment), the decision was made to introduce Duke back to his parents
approximately 30 hours after being found. After some initial nervousness,
Isabella grabbed him up in her arms and mother and son were reunited.

Unfortunately, after just 24 hours, it was clear that Duke
was weakening and likely not nursing. After much discussion, the decision was
made to hand-rear Duke knowing that staff would now need to do everything
possible to keep him in visual, vocal and olfactory contact with his parents.

Duke’s condition is stable, and the GSC staff are committed
to providing care 24 hours a day for the next six months. “Nothing in nature is about fairness. It is
about survival,” said GSC director Glenn Dobrogosz. “Duke, and hopefully his
species, will have a fighting chance thanks to keepers, curators and wildlife
biologists who dedicate their lives to preserving and protecting our world’s
wild things and wild places.”

In 2012, GSC was selected by the Association of Zoos &
Aquariums to be the second accredited zoo in the U.S. to exhibit and breed
Javan Gibbons – one of the rarest Gibbon species on the planet found only on
the island of Java in Indonesia. Duke is one of only eight born in zoos across
the world and one of three born in North America in the past 12 months.
Hang on! Rare Javan Gibbon born at Hellabrunn Zoo

September 16, 2012

Gibbon, Munich Zoo

Clinging
to its mother as she swings from branch to branch at Munich’s Hellabrunn Zoo, a
tiny Javan Gibbon represents hope for this critically endangered primate.

Born
August 19, the infant is one of only handful of Javan Gibbons born worldwide
each year in zoos, making it an important part of the international captive breeding and conservation effort for this species.

The baby,
whose gender is not yet known, is the fourth baby born to female Pangrango and
is a constant source of entertainment for older brother Flip, age 7, and
sisters Isabell, 4, and Kim, 2.

“Munich’s
Javan Gibbons are really very special; this endangered species of primate is
only found in one German zoo, here at Hellabrunn. The birth of a fourth
baby increases the family to six members. We play an important role in
breeding and we are making a significant contribution to the conservation of
Javan Gibbons. We are very proud of this,” said zoo director, Dr. Andreas
Knieriem.

Javan Gibbons
are found only on the Indonesian island of Java and are one of the world’s most
endangered primates. They share the island,
which is about the size of North Carolina, with 135 million people and are
confined to a few small forest reserves.
Javan Gibbons are also known as Silvery Gibbons. Like all gibbon
species, they use their long arms to brachiate among tree branches. Family groups sing loudly to advertise their
territory to other gibbons.

Photo Credit: Hellabrunn Zoo
Baby Sholo Goes Solo at Drusillas Park

August 28, 2012

Drusillas Park, Gibbon

Gibbons have a reputation as the trapeze artists of the animal kingdom. They are
able to glide up to almost 40 feet (12 meters) through the air using their elongated arms to move
from branch to branch in an effortless motion. Born in December 2011 at Drusillas Park in the UK, this young Lar Gibbon named Sholo is just a quarter of the size of the adults, but that doesn’t stop him from asserting his independence. Over the last few weeks he has started branching out alone and getting into the swing of life at the zoo. Following in the arm-steps of
many Gibbons before him, Sholo is developing his skills, moving between the trees and ropes in his habitat — although mom Tali never lets him get too far away.

Throughout the early years, Gibbon babies remain dependent on their mothers for
both warmth and food. Sholo will be nursed for up to two years and will not reach
full maturity until the age of eight. But since May, Sholo has been feeding himself little amounts of food; grapes seem to be a particular favorite. Lar Gibbons mostly eat fruit, leaves, flowers and seeds, but they will also eat small animals in the wild.

Lar Gibbons are found throughout the forests
of Southeast Asia, where populations are threatened mainly due to hunting and
loss of habitat. They live in family groups and are monogamous, mating for
life.

Photo Credits: Ian Standivan
Mugwai and Gremlin Welcome Their First-born!

January 24, 2012

Gibbon, Paradise Wildlife Park, Primate

Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, U.K. is proud to announce the arrival of a baby Lar Gibbon born to mother Mugwai and father Gremlin on Thursday 5th January 2012. Mother and Baby are doing very well. Section Leader of Primates, Steve Goodwin says, “This is the first baby for Mugwai, but she is proving to be a really good mum. We haven't been able to get close enough to sex the baby yet, and we're excited to find out if it is a boy or a girl.”

Also known as a White-headed Gibbon, this endangered species is threatened in the wild by habitat destruction, the illegal pet trade, and poaching.

Photo credit: Paradise Wildlife Park
A New Baby Gibbon Swings Into Brookfield Zoo

December 28, 2011

Brookfield Zoo, Gibbon, Monkey, Primate

The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, is happy to announce the birth of a male White-Cheeked Gibbon on November 15. The 1-month-old infant—along with his mom, Indah; dad, Benny; and 2-year-old brother, Thani—can be seen on exhibit in the zoo’s Tropic World: Asia exhibit daily between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Since his birth, the infant has been keeping a close grip on his mom. He will stay in contact and be carried by Indah for a few more months. As he gets older, he will begin to explore the habitat on his own, become more independent, and play with his brother and dad.

All White-cheeked Gibbons are born with a blond coat matching their mother’s coat, a form of camouflage. The new male Gibbon will retain this light coloring until it begins to turn dusky when he is half a year old. By the time he reaches his first birthday, the young Gibbon will be sporting a black coat with light cheek patches, like his dad and brother. He will retain this coloration for life. Females turn black and then back to blond again, with a small patch of black on their crown, when they reach sexual maturity at around 6 to 8 years of age.

Indah, 23, and Benny, 26, have been together at Brookfield Zoo since August 1995. Indah was born at Minnesota Zoological Garden, and Benny was born in Leipzig, Germany. They are managed as a breeding pair based on a recommendation by the Gibbon Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). An SSP is a cooperative conservation program for the long-term management of an endangered species’ breeding, health, and welfare in North American zoos. Jay Petersen, curator of mammals for the Chicago Zoological Society, is the Gibbon SSP coordinator. With the assistance of the Gibbon SSP Management Group, he is responsible for management goals for all gibbons in AZA zoos and for breeding recommendations to ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied North American white-cheeked gibbon population. Currently, 83 white-cheeked gibbons live in accredited North American zoos.

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Nearly Extinct Baby Gibbon Born at Perth Zoo

June 16, 2011

Gibbon, Monkey, Perth Zoo, Primate

A rare baby Gibbon born at Perth Zoo eight weeks ago is thriving thanks to around the clock care by Perth Zoo staff. Weighing just 610 grams (21 oz.) at birth, White-cheeked Gibbon Nakai is being bottle fed and cared for by Zoo staff until he can be reunited with his mother who had difficulties caring for him shortly after the birth. Nakai is being bottle fed baby milk formula nine times a day including night feeds and has almost doubled his birth weight. He now weighs 1050 grams – just over 37 oz.

Photo and video credits: Perth Zoo

“The White-cheeked Gibbon is a critically endangered species quite literally on the brink of extinction so Nakai and every single gibbon is precious,” says Holly Thompson, Perth Zoo keeper and one of Nakai’s primary carers. Read below the fold for more pictures.

“Nakai spent the first few weeks of his life in a humidicrib to maintain his body temperature but now sleeps in a warm room with his teddy bear which is his surrogate mother for now.”

“We exercise him daily, stretching his arms and swinging him while he hangs on to help strengthen his arms and encourage natural gibbon behaviour. His upper body strength is really developing now and his overall progress has been amazing.

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