But while they’re a firm favourite for Zoo-goers, gibbons are often thought of as the ‘forgotten ape’. 

These primates are facing increasing threats in the wild due to the illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction.

We’re proud to be a global leader in gibbon conservation, working to advocate for the species in the wild and inspire our visitors to make change. 

Here’s a look at how we do that everyday!

Finding the perfect match

Our Primate Supervisor Holly Thompson is the  regional White-cheeked Gibbon species coordinato and the global species coordinator for Javan Gibbons. That means she’sa gibbon matchmaker!

Since 2007, Holly has worked with zoos all over the world to make recommendations on breeding, husbandry, and animal transfers.

This important work helps ensure the population of gibbons within zoos are genetically viable, helping insure against rapidly declining numbers of this small ape species in Vietnam and Laos.

In the past 30 years, eight Northern White-cheeked Gibbons and nine Javan Gibbons have been born right here at Perth Zoo, continuing the next generation of this beautiful species.

 

Raising the ropes for habitat design

Last year, the brand-new immersive Gibbon Crossing habitat, a world-class welfare home for our trio of White-cheeked Gibbons, was launched as part of Perth Zoo's Master Plan. 
The innovative design is the only one of its kind in Australia and cleverly uses vertical space to increase the gibbon’s range and provides them with a safe habitat that closely mimics what they would have in the wild. 

Remarkably, with more space to brachiate, Perth Zoo's primate teams have observed new patterns of movement that hadn't been seen from this group of gibbons before. 


Improving gibbon health around the globe

Zoo Veterinarian Karen Payne has spent more than 20 years working with gibbons and like-minded conservationists across the world, including being part of the Gibbon Health Initiative.

The global program focuses on improving the health and welfare of endangered gibbons while building veterinary capacity in countries where they naturally occur.

Bringing together veterinarians, rescue centres and conservation organisation a wealth of knowledge is built to strengthen gibbon healthcare in wild populations.

With years of research and understanding, our primate care team recognise that good nutrition, habitat and husbandry play an important role in the need for veterinary care and improving overall welfare.

Gold-star gibbon welfare

The same expertise we're sharing globally is applied every day right here at Perth Zoo.

Our primate teams are dedicated to providing exceptional care for every gibbon in our care, with individual welfare plans tailored to each animal's age, personality and needs.

One gibbon who benefited from that specialist care was the late Omar, the world’s oldest living Javan Gibbon in the world.

Believed to have been over 50 years old, Omar’s remarkable longevity was a testament to the exceptional care and welfare provided at Perth Zoo.

Supported by regular health assessments, specialised nutrition, enrichment programs and dedicated veterinary care, Omar’s legacy will continue to improve welfare and support conservation efforts for global gibbon conservation.



Supporting gibbons in the wild  

Beyond our gates, we support our international conservation partner Fauna & Flora to protect wild Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade in Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam.

With our support, conservationists in the field can carry out population monitoring and mapping of wild Northern White-cheeked Gibbons.

Plus, it also helps our partners engage with the local community to fund forest protectors who can keep poachers and wildlife traffickers at bay!



We are really gibbon it our all when it comes to gibbon conservation.

And you can too!
Gibbons are highly intelligent, social animals with complex physical, behavioural and emotional needs. They require specialist care, carefully planned social structures and large spaces to move and express natural behaviours.

High online engagement can fuel the illegal wildlife trade and puts increasing pressure on declining populations. 

From here in Perth, you can help make a change simply by being a responsible social media user and avoiding or reporting content that showcase wild animals being kept as pets.