Wild-endangered white-wang gibbon given birth at Eindhoven Zoo

A white-wang gibbon was born at Eindhoven Zoo on September 1. The white-wang gibbon, which occurs in China, Laos and Vietnam, is a critically endangered monkey species in the wild.

This species of gibbon is found in the wild mostly in the tops of tall jungle trees. The biggest threat to these animals is humans. They are much hunted for food and for the preparation of traditional medicines. In addition, much habitat is disappearing due to tree felling and increasing agriculture.

European management program
There is therefore a European management program for this gibbon species. With this, zoos ensure a healthy reserve population. The birth of this gibbon in Eindhoven Zoo also falls under this program. Stephan Rijnen is therefore very pleased with this birth: "We are happy to be able to contribute to the preservation of this species in this way."

In addition, Eindhoven Zoo also supports Association Anoulak through Stichting Wildlife. This organization focuses on biodiversity research, anti-poaching patrols, education and support of the local population. They focus on various plant and animal species in the area, including the white-wang gibbon.

Second time
This is the second time a white-wang gibbon has been born at Eindhoven Zoo. Father Eric and mother Kanette became parents to Jaya in 2018. Rijnen reports, "Both the parents and Jaya and the newborn cub are doing well. With this birth, there are now four white-wang gibbons living in the park."

Flexible singers and vocalists
Gibbons are almost always found in the trees and they rarely get on the ground. These animals have long arms, and the joints in their shoulders and wrists are very flexible. In fact, they can turn their arms 360 degrees without letting go of a branch. Because they have such long arms and flexible joints, they can swing distances of about three meters between trees. In addition, these monkeys can also walk through trees. They do so upright with their arms above their heads or to the side to keep their balance.

"This species of gibbon marks out their territory by singing. The sound can be heard up to three kilometers away," says Rijnen. "They also sing to entice others and to strengthen the bond with each other. In addition, they also let each other know where they are in this way, because in the tropical rainforest they can hear each other better than they can see each other."

Family Groups
The gibbons are born with a light brown coat and after about one year it turns black. The coat color of females becomes light brown again at five to six years of age, the time when they are sexually mature. Thus, from this age, males and females can be distinguished from each other by these color differences. As the name suggests, both males and females have white cheeks.

This species of monkey lives in a group of two to six animals. The group consists of one family: a male, female and their young. Gibbons are one of the few monkey species in which the male and female remain faithful to each other. These animals can have young throughout the year, and they have one young about every two to three years. The young drink with their mother until they are about two years old, and around their fourth to fifth year of life, they become true adults. When they are five to six years old, the gibbons can have cubs of their own. At that point, they leave their family to start a new group of their own.