Critically endangered gibbon born at Arizona Wildlife World Zoo

PHOENIX — Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in metro Phoenix this week announced the birth of a pileated gibbon, one of the world’s rarest primates.

The zoo in a press release said the birth brings the total number of the critically endangered primates to 15 in the United States, with four of those being born at Wildlife World.

“Gibbons are small tailless apes found in the tropical rainforests of southern and Southeast Asia,” the zoo said in the release.

“They are beautiful and among the fastest of all primates. Despite lacking a tail for balance, they can be found walking on their hind legs along branches high above the ground, characteristically raising their arms above their heads for balance.”

More than 15 gibbon babies have been born at the Litchfield Park zoo in the past 18 years, according to the release, and Wildlife World is one of only two zoos in the country that has pileated gibbons.

The zoo said the newborn is being well cared for by its mother.

In addition to pileated gibbons, the zoo said it also has siamang and white handed gibbons on display.

People can see the gibbons, as well as more than 6,000 other animals, seven days a week at the zoo located at 16501 W. Northern Ave. Exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The last zoo admission for the day occurs at 4:30 p.m.

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