Perth Zoo Gibbon families of Perth Zoo (past and present)

WHITE CHEEKED GIBBONS & PERTH ZOO

Hey everyone just a little bit of a compilation about the White-Cheeked Gibbon dynasty at Perth Zoo. Other zoos get a mention in terms of relatedness to the PZ individuals (and a sliver of info about Silveries who I hope to write a bit on out of interest later.) Hope it makes sense. I've used the PZ 2009 WC Gibbon ARAZPA studbook to list all
this info with some facts also from members like Tetrapod and Chlidonias (thanks guys).

Two wild caught White-Cheeked Gibbons a female Racquel and male Phillip both came to Perth Zoo on the 21st of October 1974 aged roughly 2 years/18 months old
(apparently sometime 1973/1972) shortly after being caught.

Racquel and Phillip had a daughter named Eeyore who was born 17th of March 1981.

Racquel and Phillip had a male baby on the 30th October 1984 but he sadly died the same day.

Racquel and Phillip had a daughter named Ricky on the 24th August 1985. She moved to Gibsbirds (location??) on the 16th of June 1993.

Eeyore was transferred to Wellington Zoo aged 10 on the 4th of July 1991. She paired up with Vilson who was born at Melbourne Zoo 15th October, 1987. Mothers name Vang{b 1971} from Gladys Porter Zoo?, US and father is Tieu {b 1974} originally from Nagoya Zoo. Vilson was transferred to Wellington Zoo same year as Eeyore (13th of June 1991) aged 3 and 8 months.

Back at Perth Zoo Racquel and Phillip had a third daughter named Robyn born on the 4th of May 1992 and lost her mum (Racquel) when she was only just over 2 in June 94.

Viann was born 29th of May 1993 at Melbourne Zoo also to Tieu and Vang (making her sister of Vilson at Wello Zoo).

PZ's Racquel sadly died on the 16th of May 1994 aged about 22 (cause of death??). Daughter Robyn aged 2 at the time. Phillip was then partnerless for a while (over 5
years).

Nelly is the daughter Eeyore and Vilson born at Wellington Zoo on the 20th of June 1996.

Eeyore died at Wellington sadly only aged 17 on the 30th of June 1998. Like her maternal aunt, Nelly was only two at the time of her mother's {Eeyore's} death.

Male Pinocchio born at Hannover Zoo, Germany (8th April 1993) came to Perth Zoo on the 4th of February 1998 but was transferred to Mogo on September 1, 1999 where he died sadly on the 13th of January 2003 aged less than 10. I'm guessing Robyn rejected partnering with Pinocchio? thats. Three months before Pinocchio left for Mogo, Kayak arrived at PZ.

Male Kayak of Fontaine Zoo, France (born 10th Feb 1993) came to Perth Zoo on the 4th of June 1999 aged 6 at the time. He was then patnered with Robyn rather than
Pinocchio.

I'm assuming this introduction of Pinocchio and then Kayak happened in the 'Aviary' enclosure so am i right in assuming the transfer from Gibbon row happened around
the time that Pinnocchio arrived at PZ? also was Kayak introduced to Robyn shortly after arriving and Pinnocchio was then housed off display until his Mogo transfer or
was Kayak kept solo until Pinnocchio left for Mogo. I'm assuming the former.

Female Vianne of Melbourne Zoo then aged 6 came to Perth Zoo 15th of November, 1999 and was partnered with Phillip (over 20 years her senior). From this I assumed thatwhen the White-Cheeks moved from Gibbon row to either the 'Aviary' enclosure (formerly Siamangs and Colobuses, thanks Tetrapod) or the right sided island in the main lake. I assume that Phillip occupied the island in 1999 while he was a partnerless widower until Vianne joined him.

Robyn and Kayak had a baby who sadly didnt survive on 29th of June 2000.

Robyn and Kayak had baby female Meili born on 20th of Feb 2001 who is the baby sadly misparented so handraised but died 1st of June 2002 aged just over fiften months . My cousin thinks she remembers seeing her in the back of the Nocturnal House as in outside the exit of it, not inside where its dark obviously.

Viann and Phillip had a non surving baby on 19th of August 2001.

Vianne and Phillip had a daughter Jermeine born 5th of July, 2002.

Viann and Phillip had another daughter named Kit born 16th of January 2005.

Robyn was transferred to Wellington Zoo from Perth Zoo on the 4th of September, 2005 in exchange for her niece Nelly who left same time from WZ to PZ. At Perth Zoo

Nelly was partnered with male Kayak like her maternal aunt Robyn had been. Robyn would have been paired with Vilson at WZ right?? zoo and partner swap. Not trying to
be captain obvious but Nelly went where her mum Eeyore was born and in suddenly living in close proximity to her grandfather Phillip who incidentally was paired with
her paternal aunt Vianne. Gotta love animal family trees lol (could make a lame pun just then as Gibbons are as arboreal as you can get). Assuming there was a good
reason for the swap like Robyns issues with producing surviving babies while in a parnership with Kayak??

Nelly and Kayak had a daughter Li-Lian on 2nd of June 2007 (I dont know anything more about Li-Lian, I probably havent looked properly, any info would be great).

Viann and Phillip had a male baby called PJ born 19th Sep 2007 but sadly he only lived for just over one month.

Viann and Phillip had another baby born 28th April 2009 but sadly died the same day.

In 2010 Nelly and Kayak were sent to Taronga Zoo and took up residence in the exhibit that had previously housed Perth Zoos born Silvery Gibbon Regina from 2004-2010 and her partner {name??} who was originally from Howletts Zoo, UK but died in 2009 and Regina was then sent herself from Taronga to Howletts presumebly to pair up maybe with a brother or other male relation of his? or just another male Silvery??

But back to Nelly and Kayak and White-Cheeks in general it seems that Nelly and Kayak have weathered well in their current exhibit at Taronga {albeit not having any
births there so far to my knowledge). I've seen them there twice there (once 2012 and the other 2015). Actually my sister, nieces and nephew fed Kayak slices of apple
through the bars but Nelly stayed away from us mostly although still within a couple of metres or so of Kayak and still clinging to the wired fence at the front of the exhibit. I was lucky enough to see either them or Viann and Phillip (I dont know who lived on the Main Lake and who lived in the wired enclosure {that ex Siamangs & Colobus one} but the latter enclosure was where I saw the amazing display of Gibbon agility on the ropes, just amazing {I did see the Silveries doing it in their enclosure in 2002 and 2004 also}.

Vianne and Phillip's daughter Jermeine was/is partnered with a male named Tao (originally from French Zoo {Fontaine??}). I dont know exactly when he arrived
at PZ or from what zoo in France but I'm assuming surely in 2010 which would make sense as i'm guessing he along with Jermeine took over Nelly and Kayaks old enclosure.

Viann and Phillip had a baby boy Nakai on April 17, 2011 but Viann was not producing enough milkso he was looked after by keepers and a surrogate teddy bear for comfort in a warm temperature room until he could join his parents and sister Kit full time (he did visit before for the important family continual contact). I dont know anything about Nakai or his siter in the last five and a half years. This story and video is sooo cute and gave me a fresh appreciation for competant and caring keepers like Nakais (Nakai the Hand-raised White-cheeked Gibbon). How is Nakai going now?? He O.K?? I hope he's living it up and doing good.

Jeremeine and Tao have had 2011 or 2012 born male Tianne and another male baby discovered by keepers April 21, 2015 (i dont know this little guys name). More info on
these two youngsters would be greatly appreciated.

Chlidonias wrote about a male arriving at PZ from Toledo Zoo, US this year does anyone know a name and background details?? are Kit, Nakai and Tianne still at PZ??

As of 2011 there were apparently 19 Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons in Aus/NZ and 8 births at PZ since Eeyore in 1981. I dont know if Perth Zoo had White-Cheeked
Gibbons in their collection prior to Racquel and Phillips arrival from the wild in 1974. It occured to me knowing the White-Cheeked's geographical habitat that during
the time Racquel and Phillip were caught the Vietnam War was still happening (which severely affected Laos also to say the leas)t. I wondered if it was a challenging mission of seek wild born Racquel and Phillip during that time period and location they were likely caught in.

As I've already written on this site Phillip seems to be doing well in years at 43/44? and has moved enclosures by now at least 3 or 4 times not to mention having his first 18 months - 2 years in the wilds of Vietnam or Laos. Hope all the other White-Cheeks are content with her life at PZ.

Does anyone know when Racquel and Phillip arrived in '74 how they would likely or were classified as a species??

Also what year did the White-Cheeks move into the Silveries 1999 opened enclosure was it Vianne and Phillip (and babies?) or their daughter Jermeine and her partner
Tao (and sons) who live there now? Actually I wouldnt be surprised if they swap when a baby is old enough to be viewed and likely in the 1999 built enclosure.

Perth Zoo imported a Silvery Gibbon pair in Oct 1975 and another (current and much loved Hecla and Jury b 1983 & 1986) in August 1992. I'd like to write about the births at PZ since 1975 using the 2009 available ARAZPA Silvery studbook.

To my understanding PZ is still the keeper of both Northern White-Cheeked and Silvery's regional studbooks.

Also this is my source for 98% of this information. The 2009 regional White-Cheeked Gibbon studbook. I appreciate getting access to it whoever put it online.

http://www.gibbons.de/main2/04zoogibbons/arazpa_nomascus/arazpa_nomascus2009.pdf

 

To directly quote Tetarpod's words and info from a response to questions I messaged and asked about in relation to Perth Zoos former Gibbon collection at its highest numbers during the 70s & 80s. I still can't thank you enough Tetrapod. Felt right to quote you as its your knowledge and info and not mine. I just wanted to pass it on for all else interested as im not sure why i private messaged the question, lol. Anyway -

Tetrapod:

Certainly did help!! Sorry if im annoying with the repeated thanking lol.
Wish I'd been alive to see the collection but just glad another member could tell me what Perth Zoo housed back in the day, what a collection hey!!

 

Perth Zoo on Twitter

Actually according this Phillip had his 40th on 22 Julym 2014 which would mean he came at three months old to PZ. Is that possible or maybe one of the dates is not accurate.

 

@steveroberts : Regina's mate while she was at Taronga was a male named Halimun. I don't know the exact year, but I know she was there until at least 2009.

 

Yes, PZ did have an amazing collection of primates back then.

Incidentally: GIBSBIRDS in the studbook is the acronym for GIBSBIRDS - Gibbon Conservation Center (GCC), Santa Clarita, CA, USA. The only institution in the US dedicated solely to gibbon conservation breeding and programs overseas.

Some historical information o Jawan silvery / moloch gibbon (ex Perth Zoo):
GCC held 2 active breeding pairs Javan silveries in the early 2000's which included 2 ex Perth Zoo born gibbons:
M Shelby (born 18.5.1993) paired with F Chloe (born 24.2.1990 Winnipeg)
M Ushko (wildborn in Java / captured ca. 1975, died 1.6.2005) paired with F Khusus (born 13.1.1995)

Both pairs had 2 sets of offspring (till 2004):
ShelbyxChloe: M Reggie born January 2000, F XX August 2003
UshkoxKhusus: M Madena February 2002, M Reggie June 2004
...

 

Oh cool thanks for the info. I recognize Shelby's name from the 2009 ARAZPA studbook. I was hoping to have compiled another short summary of what the studbook gave info wise on the Silvery Gibbons who came, went and born at PZ since '75. Would love to visit the Gibbon center one day. Added to a long to-visit zoo list in North America and then the national parks all across America animal wise are too goode to not adventure around. Will stop there before : i digress from PZ Gibbons any further

 

Pinocchio was imported to be paired with Robyn, but during quarantine it was discovered that he had an undescended testicle. The studbook keeper advised to not pair him up, in case it was a genetic problem.

Also Robyn was happily housed with Phillip during the period following Raquel's death, until she started to take on adult female colouration.

 

Just a footnote that we discovered that both Hoolocks died at PZ.

 

Quite amazing just how many births have been at PZ, and how many did not survive. To my knowledge PZ did not have white-cheeks before Phillip/Raquel.

 

Hoolock Gibbon Pair, Perth Zoo - June 1987 | ZooChat

heres the threads, thanks again Newzooboy for sharing your photos

this is an interesting but sad article about how hep b has affected several Silvery Gibbons who've lived/live at PZ and also Horace the Hoolock male from back in the day. It does offer an insight into the members of both PZ's Silvery families over the last 4-5 decades and along with a 2009 studbook (most recent i could find publicly available) the information anyone with a burning interest in learning more details about the individual Silveries and relatedness etc would naturally get a good insight like myself thanks to these two sources. Really sad though to find out about the prevalence (is it fair to say its that common?) in Silveries and some others Gibbons species, poor things , wild caught female 'Perth 2' (and mother of Uban and Shelby) died of liver problems {hep b related} in October 1994 after testing positive to it a year before.
Fortunately there is a vaccine/treatment now i think that prevents 'carriers' i believe from passing it on to offspring or other kin they share daily interactions with.

http://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/HBVirus-Gibbons.pdf
http://www.gibbons.de/main2/04zoogibbons/int_moloch/int_moloch2009.pdf

p.s It is sad how so many White-Cheeked Gibbons have died at birth or prematurely

 

I found this interesting PhD thesis about gibbon pairs/families in the Australasian region: https://api.research-repository.uwa.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/8159096/Burns_Belinda_2015.pdf

On page 25 (page 41 of the PDF), there is a list of the gibbons involved in the study. I haven't read the whole thing yet (it's over 250 pages), although an interesting note is a pair of White-cheeked gibbons at Perth (Tao and Jermei) who formed a 'stepfamily' with an unrelated youngster in the study periods in 2010 and 2011. Does anyone know the circumstances behind this? I wonder whether the juvenile in question was Li-Lian (2007).

 

Great find @Abbey ! I’ll enjoy reading through this.

There’s a better table on Page 116, which notes Tao and Jermei were indeed the step parents of Li-Lian. Jermei was only 4 years and 11 months older than Li-Lian, which is interesting.

Refer to Page 141 for a table on juveniles and infants.

 

Ah, thanks for that. That table is very helpful, I should have looked a bit harder. From what I've read so far, it seems like Jermei and Li-Lian were initially introduced for socialisation purposes, with Tao added later. Page 71 also notes that Jermei had a stillborn infant in 2011, which I wasn't previously aware of.