Gibbon Gallery at Noahs Ark Zoo Farm Has a New Baby Boy

By Samantha Cordrey

Wraxall, UK - A new VIP has swung into Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall. A male baby Siamang Gibbon was born a few weeks ago and is settling into the Gibbon Gallery at the zoo joining Mum, Salome, and Dad, Sampson who have been at the zoo for two years.

Senior Keeper Sadie Garland tells us more, “We are so happy about our newest arrival. He’s very cute and we’ve called him Sultana due to him being so wrinkly and sweet. Both Mum and Dad are adapting to their new addition well. Sampson has been trying to take a closer look but whenever he gets too close Salome gives him a well aimed slap. There is no doubt who wears the trousers in that relationship!”

Siamangs are part of a European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) because they are under threat from habitat destruction in their native countries. EEPs are breeding programmes which keep a record of where endangered species are and how many there are, and ensure genetic diversity among breeding pairs to plan for the future.

Siamang gibbons are very noisy, famous for making loud resonating calls and songs in the forests of Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra which can even be heard up to 2 miles away. They’re able to call so loudly because they have a unique inflatable throat sac which amplifies their voice. They are very acrobatic and agile. Their extra-long arms help them cover up to 10 feet (3 meters) in a single swing. If they’re not swinging through the trees, they’re very likely walking along branches with their arms outstretched to help them keep their balance.

Siamang Gibbons are amongst hundreds of fascinating and exciting animals at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm open Monday – Saturday 10.30 – 5.00pm. For more information see www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk or call 01275 852606

NOTES:

SIAMANG GIBBONS

· Siamang Gibbons’ social group consists of a monogamous pair: one male, one female and up to 4 dependent offspring. Gestation: 7-8 months (230 days). Lifespan: 35-40 years.

· Male Siamangs are slightly larger than the females. Males are about 3 ft (90 cm) long and weigh about 22 pounds (11 kg).

· Siamang Gibbons are omnivores (eating plants and meat). They forage for food in the forests during the day, eating fruit (which constitutes about 75% of their diet), leaves, flowers, seeds, tree bark, and tender plant shoots. They also eat insects, spiders, bird eggs, and small birds.

· Gibbons drink water, often by dipping a furry hand into the water or rubbing a hand on wet leaves, and then slurping up the water from their fur. Gibbons sometimes do this while dangling above the water from a thin tree branch.

NOAH’S ARK ZOO FARM

· Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is based 6 miles out from Bristol in Wraxall. Originally a dairy farm, the converted visitor attraction had 120,000 visitors in the past year.

· Also home to Tigers, Giraffe, Zebras, Rhinos, Alligators, Camels, Llamas, Bison, Buffalo and other big zoo animals.

· Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is a member of the British and Irish Association of zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums. www.biaza.org.uk

To view Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-2018-Noah's_Ark_Zoo_Farm