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Baby siamang debuts at the Virginia Zoo

Posted at 10:00 AM, Dec 11, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-11 10:23:14-05

Norfolk, Va. – A new baby siamang is now receiving visitors at the Virginia Zoo’s Asia – Trail of the Tiger exhibit.

Born on November 21, this is the second offspring for mother Hitam and father Bali. The new baby boy joins sister Lola who was born on August 20, 2012. Hitam came to the Virginia Zoo from the San Diego Zoo, Bali came from Howlett’s Wild Animal Park in England.

“This is a very important birth, as siamang are critically endangered and facing increasing pressure in the wild. We are especially excited for big sister Lola because she will have the perfect playmate in this little brother,” said Greg Bockheim, the Zoo’s executive director. “The entire family is on exhibit in their indoor playroom and it is truly entertaining activity you could watch for hours.”

Siamang are native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia and are the largest species of gibbon. They have black shaggy hair and a naked face. Siamang have large gray or pink throat pouch that can be inflated, allowing them to make loud resonating calls that can be heard more than two miles away. They are omnivorous, eating mostly leaves, but also fruit, insects, nuts, small animals, birds and bird’s eggs. Males and females are similar in size, growing to 30 to 35 inches in length and weighing approximately 17 to 28 pounds.

Siamang bear one offspring after a 7 to 8 month gestation period. For the first few months, the baby clings to the mother’s abdomen. Soon after the age of two, babies begin weaning and become more independent, but still very much a part of the family. At about seven years old they reach sexual maturity and leave their family group.