Gibbon Siblings Reunited
Posted at 7:41 am June 17, 2009 by Beth McDonaldI just wanted to update everyone on the San Diego Zoo’s Gabrielle’s crested (or red-cheeked) gibbon, Gaby, and her new roommate, Chui (see post, Gibbon: New Home for Gaby). He arrived on May 8, is seven years old, and is Gaby’s baby brother! Gaby and Chui lived with their parents and other siblings at the Wild Animal Park. When Gaby was four, she left her younger brother to come to the Zoo; now, almost five years later, they are back together again.
When we introduced them in March, it was like they were never apart. Chui caught on very quickly. He did everything Gaby did. She taught him how to play with some of his new enrichment items and showed him the best places to sleep, sunbathe, and brachiate (swing arm to arm). Now they seem to be attached at the hip! Gaby and Chui’s complete vocalizations can be heard throughout the Zoo.
If you have stopped by recently, I am sure you have seen both Gaby and Chui showing off their acrobatic skills and working their gibbon charm on all their visitors. If you haven’t made it down Center Street (formerly known as Bear Canyon) yet, now is the time. They are really amazing animals and a complete delight to see!
Beth McDonald is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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June 17th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Thanks, Beth, for the great news of Gaby and Chui’s reunion. It is wonderful to get such happy news.
It sounds like they are quite a pair and thoroughly enjoying being together again. You mentioned that Gaby was separated from the family and came to live at the zoo. I will look back at previous blog referenced to see what has become of their parents now that they are both at the zoo.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Hi! Great update about Gaby and Chui’s reunion! Just proves that monkeys have very good memories of who they were with before they get seperated and then they get back together again. They must love each other very much in a monkey sort of way!
Latest news on Kibibi, the baby western lowland gorilla born at National Zoo: she is now 5 months old, has a few teeth in, starting to nibble on some food but still prefers momma’s milk, is starting to explore her surroundings a little bit more even tho Mandara keeps very close tabs on her, and Kibibi’s older siblings are taking some more interest in her. She’s got a lot more hair on her, still rides on her mom’s back, but is starting to stick to the ground a little bit more when she’s interested in something. The whole gorilla group is really beginning to enjoy Kibibi now that she’s grown some more. Check out the NZ website’s gorilla page for updates and new pics of Kibibi!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
July 16th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Thanks for the update! I’ve been catching up on all the blog posts today so my comment is tardy compared to the date of the post…I’m so glad Gaby has company and is enjoying herself. I’ve followed her story with tears and cheers along the way and wish I could jump on a plane and come see her. She sounds like a delight! You have done such a great job of caring for her!