The Santa Barbara Zoo has welcomed two white-handed gibbons Chanee (pronounced SHAW-nee) and Mel to their new home on Gibbon Island.
Gibbons are endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Though they are nationally protected in Asian tropical rainforests throughout the countries in their range, habitat loss, along with inadequate management and lack of protection from poachers are the main threats to their survival, IUCN said.
Chanee, who is 19, came from the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, where she was known for her bold personality and love of grapes, bananas, and cozy hammock naps.
Mel, a 24-year-old male from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas, joined the Santa Barbara Zoo late last week. The pair has been matched under the guidance of the Species Survival Plan, a collaborative program among accredited zoos to support the long-term survival of endangered species.
“Every new animal arrival represents an important chapter in our conservation work,” said Dr. Julie Barnes, vice president of Animal Care & Health. “Chanee and Mel were paired with the hope of one day welcoming offspring, helping strengthen the future of this endangered species.
“We’re thrilled to welcome them to our zoo family and share their story with our community.”
Chanee has had two female offspring and was an excellent mother to them, the zoo reports. Those offspring moved on to other zoos before Chanee came to the Santa Barbara Zoo. Mel has not yet sired any offspring, so this will be his first opportunity to start a family.
To celebrate their arrival, the Zoo invites guests to become a Foster Feeder, and helping support the care of Chanee, Mel and all of the Zoo’s animals. Foster Feeders will be invited to an event later this year to mark the pair’s debut. Click here to learn more.
The white-handed gibbon has a small body size, which causes it to be classified as a lesser ape. Their arms are relatively longer than their legs, which allows rapid movement through the forest canopy.
They can be either black or buff-colored and have white hands and feet, thus the name.
Found in Thailand, the Malaysian peninsula, and north Sumatra, white-handed gibbons spend their entire lives in the tall trees of tropical rainforests. They eat fruit, young leaves, and a few invertebrates, depending on availability, and show a preference for fleshy, sugary fruit and figs.
Gibbons define their territory by loud singing and spectacular gymnastics. Destruction of the rainforests and poaching are the primary threats to their survival.
For more, visit sbzoo.org.