Gibbon Family Sneak Peek!

February 11, 2011

The SF Teaching Zoo is pleased to invite the Santa Fe family to see the newest member of the Teaching Zoo family, our baby gibbon. (Click the photo at right for a larger view.)

Come out to the Teaching Zoo on Monday, Tuesday or Friday between 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Show us your Santa Fe ID and we will give you a short (10 minutes!) tour to see the new baby, before anyone else!

Depending on how well mom and baby do with just us Santa Fe visitors, the Teaching Zoo staff will decide how and when to introduce the dynamic duo to the larger community.

Gibbons are an endangered species

Gibbons are members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan because they are endangered in the wild. Populations have declined by 50 percent in the last 45 years due to habitat destruction and hunting.

Gibbons are found in in northern Sumatra (Indonesia), peninsular Malaysia, Myanamar (east of the Salween River), Thailand, and marginally into southern China. They are tree dwellers — living in high canopies — and are monogamous and mate for life. They live in family groups of up to four individuals, but typically live in male-female pairs.

There are currently 101 gibbons in 44 institutions in the United States. All captive gibbons are genetically analyzed to determine the healthiest combinations for breeding pairs in order to keep the gene pool “clean” and avoid inbreeding.

Gibbons can start breeding at age 5 and live into their late 30s or 40s. Adults weigh between 6 to 7 kilograms or 13.2 to 15.4 pounds.

For more information, contact Jonathan Miot at 395-5602.