Three rare Lar Gibbons move in at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
50-year-old Gale, 18-year-old Manis and 10-year-old Koopa are making themselves at home at a purpose-built enclosure
Three rare Lar Gibbons have moved into a new home at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster.
The trio are getting used to a purpose-built enclosure at the Malaysian Singing Forest reserve, which officially opened last week.
50-year-old Gale, 18-year-old Manis and 10-year-old Koopa have all moved from South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, which closed down last year.
Gale is one of the oldest known Lar Gibbons in captivity.
Director of Animals at YWP, Dr Charlotte Macdonald, revealed: “We are delighted to welcome the three gibbons to our new Malaysian Singing Forest Reserve. The reserve is named for their haunting, melodic calls - often in the form of early morning duets.
“This subspecies is threatened in the wild where they are native to Malaysia, Thailand and Laos.
“Gale and Manis spend a lot of time together, grooming each other, whilst Koopa is more independent.
“Gale is the sassy, confident one in contrast to reserved and relaxed Koopa.
“Gale has provided an invaluable genetic contribution to the European Endangered Species programme in the past and is easily spotted with her flowing blonde coat.
“They have settled in well at the Park since they arrived 7 days ago.”
Lab Gibbons, also known as white-handed gibbons, are native to rainforests in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.