Chewie a white handed gibbon from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium gave birth to a white-handed gibbon on November 11. The baby was born in the gibbon habitat at the Lied Jungle’s Asian rainforest. Currently Chewie is keeping the infant tucked tightly to her lap.
Chewie is a 15 year old from Knoxville Zoo. She moved to Omaha in 2008. The father is Stevie who is a 22 year old who was born at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Currently the infant’s gender is unknown. She is on display in the zoo’s gibbon enclosure. Guests can see her from the exhitbit along with the TreeTops Resturant.
White handed gibbons are also known as lar gibbons. Their name comes from the colouration of their hands, feet and a ring around the face. They inhabit the rainforests of South East Asia. Here they form monogamous pairings which are faithful for life.
They are most famous for their style of moving through the forest using only their arms. This process known as brachiation has earned them the nickname “acrobats of the rainforest.”
American zoos are breeding this endangered species which is under threat from deforestation and illegal hunting. 91 white handed gibbons live at 37 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Photo Credits: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo
