Christmas has come early at Adelaide Zoo with the arrival of a special gift…a critically endangered White-cheeked Gibbon baby! Born in the early hours of December 10, the infant is the fourth offspring of parents Viet and Remus.
The birth is a significant achievement for Adelaide Zoo, as the youngster is one of only four White-cheeked Gibbon infants to be born at the zoo in its 130-year history.
The infant is extremely important to the international breeding program working to save the White-cheeked Gibbon from extinction. With a declining trend in the wild population of at least 80 per cent over the past 45 years, the species is classified as “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN. It is in serious decline in its native Laos, Vietnam and Southern China, due to deforestation and poaching for the wildlife trade.
Adelaide Zoo Senior Primate Keeper, Jodie Ellen, said Viet and Remus were doting parents, while older sisters Nhu and Tien were fascinated by the new addition. “The baby is absolutely adorable and is looking strong and healthy, clinging tightly to mum, which is important considering they live high up in the tree tops of their island home,” Jodie said.
“Viet and Rhemus are incredibly loving and capable parents and it’s heart-warming to the entire family caring for the little one. Older sisters Nhu and Tien are excited by the new addition to the family and will play a very hands-on role in the upbringing of the new baby,” Jodie added.
The new family spent the first few days relaxing between their night quarters and their leafy island habitat.
White-cheeked Gibbons are born a golden color before gradually turning black. Females turn gold again when they reach maturity at around five years of age while males remain black. The baby’s gender is not yet known and it may be many months before it can be determined.
Krismasi imekuja mapema katika bustani ya wanyama ya Adelaide kwa kuwasili kwa zawadi ya pekee... mtoto wa Gibbon mwenye mashavu meupe aliye hatarini mwa kutoweka! Mtoto huyo alizaliwa mapema Desemba 10, na ni mtoto wa nne wa wazazi wake, Viet na Remus. Kwa sasa, mtoto huyo ni mmoja wa watoto wanne tu wa kiume wa aina ya White-cheeked Gibbon waliozaliwa katika bustani hiyo ya wanyama katika historia yake ya miaka 130. Mtoto huyo ni muhimu sana kwa programu ya kimataifa ya kuzaliana inayofanya kazi ili kuokoa Gibbon mwenye mashavu meupe asiangamie. Kwa sababu ya kupungua kwa idadi ya wanyama hao katika mazingira ya asili kwa asilimia 80 katika miaka 45 iliyopita, IUCN imeweka jamii hiyo katika hatari ya kutoweka. Mnyama huyo anasafiri kwa kasi sana kutoka nchi zake za asili Laos, Vietnam na Kusini mwa China, kwa sababu ya ukataji miti na uwindaji haramu kwa ajili ya biashara ya wanyama wa porini. Jodie Ellen, mlinzi wa wanyama wa Adelaide Zoo, alisema kuwa Viet na Remus walikuwa wazazi wenye upendo, wakati dada wakubwa Nhu na Tien walivutiwa na kuongezwa mpya. "Mtoto huyo ni mrembo kabisa na anaonekana mwenye nguvu na afya, akishikamana sana na mama, jambo ambalo ni muhimu kwa kuzingatia wanaishi juu ya miti ya kisiwa chao", alisema Jodie. Viet na Rhemus ni wazazi wenye upendo sana na wenye uwezo na ni jambo lenye kufurahisha kwa familia nzima kumtunza mtoto huyo mdogo. Dada wakubwa Nhu na Tien wamefurahi na kuongezwa mpya kwa familia na watacheza jukumu la mikono katika kulea mtoto mpya, <unk> Jodie aliongeza. Familia hiyo mpya ilitumia siku chache za kwanza ikipumzika kati ya makao yao ya usiku na makao yao yenye majani ya kisiwa hicho. Wanyama hao huzaliwa wakiwa na rangi ya dhahabu kabla ya kuwa weusi hatua kwa hatua. Wanawake hubadilika kuwa wa rangi ya dhahabu tena wanapofikia ukomavu karibu na umri wa miaka mitano huku wanaume wakibaki weusi. Jinsia ya mtoto haijulikani bado na huenda ikawa miezi mingi kabla ya kuweza kuamuliwa.