Swing into Gibbon Crossing – where world-class animal welfare meets world-class wonder!
As you enter Perth Zoo, look up – an endangered White-cheeked Gibbon may be brachiating right overhead! The Gibbon Crossing is a stunning new habitat designed for you to experience the sky-high agility of one of the most captivating and rare primates.
This immersive new area cleverly uses our vertical space to provide a larger habitat for them to do what they do best, swing and sing. Overhead rope pathways allow the gibbons to travel further than ever before, expanding their territory and choice as they pass over visitors walking below.
You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else in Australia! Gibbon Crossing is a bold blend of innovation and inspiration – a space designed not just for awe-inspiring visitor experiences, but for advancing animal welfare.
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Perth Zoo is proud to be the global species coordinator, ensuring gibbons in zoo care throughout the world are genetically and behaviourally thriving. And we go even further: supporting vital conservation efforts in the jungles of Vietnam to protect their wild cousins, too.
Part of the visionary Perth Zoo Master Plan, Gibbon Crossing reflects a 360-degree conservation approach. It’s built on one clear belief – when people connect with wildlife in meaningful ways, they’re inspired to act and join us in our mission to save wildlife.
Swing into the Gibbon Crossing and learn more about these amazing apes and our efforts to save them.
Meet the gibbons
Perth Zoo is home to a family of three White-cheeked Gibbons, mother-daughter duo Jermei and Lulani, and male Kayak.
Jermei – the mum of the family. She’s 22 years old and was born here at Perth Zoo.
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- You’ll easily spot her as the only blonde.
- She’s had three babies, including Lulani, and is even a grandmother. Her grandbaby gibbon lives in Tasmania.
- She’s very beloved by the keepers here and is an excellent gibbon mum.
Kayak – the male. He's 32 years old and was born in France.
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- He’s easily spotted as the biggest gibbon in the group, he’s black and has endearing underbite with lower canine teeth often sticking out.
- Kayak is not Lulani’s dad but has taken on a step-dad role with her since he arrived in 2023.
- He previously lived at Perth Zoo and came back to be matched up with adult female Jermei in the hopes of breeding.
- He loves cooked sweet potatoes and corn and is described by keepers as very laid back.
Lulani – the daughter, the small black gibbon who's easily the cheekiest.
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- She has recently turned six and is starting to show flecks of blonde fur – when she reaches sexual maturity she will turn completely blonde like her mum.
- Lulani is super curious and loves to investigate everything new. Keepers say she loves to be in the spotlight and show off her incredible aerial acrobatics.
- Relationships are very important to her and she’ll often sit very still while her mum grooms her, then she’ll return the favour.
- Lulani loves to eat corn on the cob.
Helping gibbons in the wild
Perth Zoo proudly supports international conservation organization
Fauna & Flora Vietnam.
With our support,
Fauna & Flora carry out field work in Vietnam to protect the country’s largest population of wild gibbons.
Their important work supports local communities and protects gibbons from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.
Are your social media habits good for gibbons and wildlife?
Liking a post on social media might seem harmless, but engaging with the wrong post can actually fuel the illegal wildlife trade. We know it seems like a stretch.
This cycle explains how!
Gibbons are prolific on the illegal pet trade, with many babies stolen from the wild and transported all over the world to be sold.
Heartbreakingly, a baby bought nearly always means a mother killed.
It may seem harmless to engage with a social post, but for the sake of wildlife, it’s always better to just scroll away (or even report it!).
Before you engage, look at every animal post with these points in mind:
During the build
Here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse into bringing this habitat to life.