You are here: Home > Media > Press Releases > Marwell Zoological Park's gibbons swing into their new home

Marwell Zoological Park's gibbons swing into their new home

Marwell Zoological Park is opening a new exciting home for its family of Siamang Gibbons. Open for August Bank Holiday (Monday 27 August), 'Life in the Trees' allows visitors to get breathtakingly close to Marwell's energetic apes.

The Siamang Gibbon family consists of Mum (Simone), Dad (Luang) and sons, ten year old Hale Bop and 5 year old Rosh. The family have never before had so much room to explore and visitors will be totally enthralled as the gibbons swing from vines and scale up trees.

Visitors can share the gibbons' environment by wandering along the walkway before entering the native longhouse. With stunning views across a moat to the gibbons' clearing, the longhouse provides an excellent viewing platform to watch the family explore their lush new surroundings.

Luang, the group's dominant male and Marwell's noisiest animal, can now display his authority by singing his distinctive songs from the top of a large tree. Whilst the rest of the family are more likely to be found relaxing in the clearing below or using their long arms to swing in the trees.

Bringing South East Asia to Hampshire, the 5,000 sq mtr exhibit also includes many plants from ferns and grasses to bamboo which the gibbons can explore and eat as they would in their natural environment.

The area is home to several other animals which originate from Asia including the endangered Lowland Anoa (the world's smallest wild cattle), the beautiful Prevost's squirrel and the curious looking Tree shrews. Asian small clawed otters can also be spotted swimming in around the moat and waterfalls.

The Siamang Gibbon is the largest of the 12 gibbon species. Like many of the gibbon species, the Siamangs are threatened in the wild because their habitat is being destroyed by man as we increasingly encroach into their native rainforests. With the adults often killed, young gibbons are also sometimes taken from the wild to be used as photographers 'beach props'.

Visitors to the Park and members of the public donated £417,000 towards the cost of the new home. The money was raised through a variety of fundraising events as well as a 10% donation on admission prices.

Marwell Zoological Park is open daily from 10am. It is now easier than ever to buy tickets - simply log onto www.marwell.org.uk

Notes to editors

Photo Caption: Siamang Gibbon - Please credit Bryan Thompson, www.pbase.com

For further media information please contact Helen Jeffreys, Marwell Zoological Park Media Relations Office. Email: helenj@marwell.org.uk

Phone: 01962 777947

The Siamang Gibbon's scientific name is Hylobates syndactylus and are the largest of the 12 gibbon species.

Siamang Gibbons live in South East Asia, specifically Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. They live in small, territorial and monogamous family groups. They can live up to 35 years old, Siamang adults pair for life and females

Siamang Gibbons are active during the day. They spend a lot of their time resting and usually groom each other when the sun is at its hottest at midday. Their diet consists mainly of leaves and soft fruit, but they also like to eat flower buds and insects

The Siamang Gibbon is the only ape at Marwell Zoological Park. The Marwell family of gibbons consists of: Luang and Simone and their sons, Hale Bop and Rosh. Simone was born on 6th June 1985 at Marwell and her partner Luang is the dominant male in the group. Hale Bop was born on 18th March 1997 and Rosh was born on 2nd October 2001. Both were born at Marwell. Hale Bop is named after the comet which could be seen from Earth at the time of his birth. Rosh is named after Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year

Marwell Zoological Park was founded in 1972. The Park is owned and operated by Marwell Preservation Trust: a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of biological diversity. Registered Charity Number 275433.

Marwell Zoological Park is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and other natural resources and works to conserve species and their habitats, whilst advocating environmental and social responsibility in support of these goals.

Marwell Conservation seeks to address causes of extinction and manages vulnerable populations of threatened species to ensure their survival. This is achieved through a range of species and habitat conservation programmes locally to Marwell's base in southern England and internationally, with a particular focus in Africa.

Marwell is a member of the British and Irish Association of zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.

Marwell Zoological Park, Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1JH. www.marwell.org.uk

Helen Jeffreys I PR & Media Relations Officer I Marwell Zoological Park I Winchester I SO21 1JH
( +44 (0)1962 777947 I Mob: +44 (0)7825 094570 + helenj@marwell.org.uk : www.marwell.org.uk
Marwell is a member of BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.

Marwell's Magical Winter 1st December 2007 - 7th January 2008. Visit www.magicalwinter.co.uk for more information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------