A white-cheeked gibbon has been born at the Akron Zoo. The zoo’s adult female gibbon, Parker, gave birth today, June 27, at 4:20 p.m. The entire gibbon family will have access to the public indoor day room daily for guests to possibly see the new baby.

The baby is doing well, and its sex is unknown at this time. Infant gibbons hold on to their mothers from the time of birth. Parker is proven to be an excellent mother. The zoo plans to announce a naming contest later. 

This is the second baby for Parker and the zoo’s male gibbon, Milo. The pair previously welcomed a female, Lolani, back in December 2021. Lolani still resides at the Akron Zoo and will remain with the gibbon family. Being an older sister is an important milestone for female gibbons as it helps them develop skills to be a mother themselves. 

White-cheeked gibbons are a lesser ape species that are native to Southeast Asia. The species is listed as critically endangered by IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, mainly from deforestation to create palm oil plantations. The native population of white-cheeked gibbons has decreased about 80% in the last 50 years. 

The Akron Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo participates in the Gibbon Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is a scientifically managed breeding program that works to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse population of white-cheeked gibbons. The zoo also plays a leadership role in AZA’s Gibbon SAFE program as Brenna Erjavec, the zoo’s occupational health and safety managers, serves as the co-chair. SAFE stands for Saving Animals From Extinction and focuses the combined expertise of AZA zoos to help save gibbons.