New lar gibbon baby born at the Joburg Zoo
SAXONWOLD – Curator Katherine Visser assures the public that the baby is doing well.
Curator at the Johannesburg Zoo Katherine Visser announced that on 23 March, a lar gibbon baby was born.
Lar gibbons, also known as white-handed gibbons, are considered to be an endangered species. They are part of the lesser-known ape species and are found in forests of Southeast Asia. They live in monogamous pairs with their offspring.
According to Visser, the animals move through the forest by brachiating (using their arms to swing from branch to branch) and are known for their loud vocalisations.
This is the fourth time the zoo has bred a lar gibbon. Visser said, “The baby shares the enclosure with its mother, father and older sibling. It will remain with the parents for up to five years. We will eventually find a mate for it in captivity but that is a long way down the line.”
Visser said the baby, which was born just four days before lockdown, is doing very well with its family.
She reassures the public that the zoo hospital is still open with full-time veterinary staff. The zoo has also divided the section staff in order to ensure that there are always enough staff on the ground to care for the animals and ensure that animal welfare is not compromised while simultaneously ensuring the health and safety of employees.
“As the mother is caring for the baby, there is no extra work for staff regarding this baby,” said Visser.
The sex of the baby is still unknown because the mother has been holding the baby very close to her during this time.
The zoo invites the public to help name the baby by commenting on The Johannesburg Zoo Facebook page
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