Thumbs up for birth of rare gibbon
Perth's Zoo's newest addition is also one of its rarest.
The baby gibbon is among 19 of the furry apes in Australasia who help support a dwindling global population.
White-cheeked gibbons are critically endangered in their natural habitats of Vietnam and Laos, with an estimated 1000 left in the wild.
Habitat loss, poaching and illegal pet and wildlife trades account for their low numbers.
Perth Zoo primate supervisor Holly Thomson said the baby's arrival was timely considering this year was International Union for Conservation of Nature's year of the gibbon.
"It's always a cause for celebration when an animal is born, but this is even more special," she said.
"Although it is still very early days, the infant is suckling, grasping on to his mother and is looking fit and well."
Born last week to mother Jermei and father Tao, the male gibbon is yet to be named.
Perth Zoo, The West Australian and Channel 7 are giving people a chance to get to know the new arrival by coming up with a name for him. The name must relate to the natural home range of the white-cheeked gibbon.
Entries are open until midday on Sunday. The winner will get a naming certificate, a meet and greet with a gibbon keeper and a family zoo entry ticket.
Name the baby Gibbon - enter the competition here.
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