Perth Zoo Perth Zoo News 2025

[Johnpaul21]

The White Cheeked Gibbons have been moved out of their enclosure, A sign is out the front of the enclosure and has been for a bit but I'm not sure what will move into their new enclosure..... Maybe some of the ruffed lemurs.....

 

[Zoofan15]

The White Cheeked Gibbons have been moved out of their enclosure, A sign is out the front of the enclosure and has been for a bit but I'm not sure what will move into their new enclosure..... Maybe some of the ruffed lemurs.....

Potentially. This species is considerably more fickle than Ring-tailed lemurs, with splits of groups larger than a pair often required as hierarchy disputes arise. While females are the most disagreeable with each other, even bachelor groups have sometimes had to be split, as has been the case at Hamilton Zoo. Having multiple exhibits is an advantage.

 

[Jambo]

The White Cheeked Gibbons have been moved out of their enclosure, A sign is out the front of the enclosure and has been for a bit but I'm not sure what will move into their new enclosure..... Maybe some of the ruffed lemurs.....

I’m assuming this is in preparation for the opening of the new islands/aerial complex at the front of the zoo.

Perth should currently have 1.2 White Cheeked Gibbons. Are they grouped together?

 

[ramsayi]

Just saw on an email there is a zoo members preview of ‘gibbon crossing’ happening Saturday 21st before zoo hours. (8am-9am)

it showed images of the gibbons using it so my guess it they have been moved in allready to allow them time to get use to it before guests get to walk under them.

I’m assuming this is in preparation for the opening of the new islands/aerial complex at the front of the zoo.

Perth should currently have 1.2 White Cheeked Gibbons. Are they grouped together?

there where when in the old enclosure and the email had two of them in one photo so i would say it is still all 3 together.

 

[Johnpaul21]

Just saw on an email there is a zoo members preview of ‘gibbon crossing’ happening Saturday 21st before zoo hours. (8am-9am)

it showed images of the gibbons using it so my guess it they have been moved in allready to allow them time to get use to it before guests get to walk under them.



there where when in the old enclosure and the email had two of them in one photo so i would say it is still all 3 together.

Yep can confirm all 3 live together and will be on their new enclosure.

Not sure if they're using it yet or if they are back-of-house right now......

This is the current male of the 3

 

[Zoofan15]

Yep can confirm all 3 live together and will be on their new enclosure.

Not sure if they're using it yet or if they are back-of-house right now......

This is the current male of the 3

I assume due to her age the younger female is now beige colour too? It threw me at a glance to see what appeared to be a female and two males housed together a couple of years ago. Apparently females (born beige) temporarily turn black and then transition back to beige as they mature. At the time I wasn’t aware of the temporary black colour phase females undergo!

 

[Johnpaul21]

At birth she was cream/golden colour, then at 1 yo she turned to black like her father (technically stepdad shown above as her real dad fell sick and passed not long after her birth) and then as she reaches sexual maturity (5ish) she will turn the same as her mum Jermei again. *Mum shown below

 

[Jambo]

and then as she reaches sexual maturity (5ish) she will turn the same as her mum Jermei again.

She's currently six so you would have expected this change would've already occurred, but obviously there can be exceptions - she's still quite young.

And her father didn't pass, he's now at Wildlife HQ where he's welcomed his latest infant!

 

[Johnpaul21]

Strange... I was told that he fell sick and then passed.... Maybe he recovered.... But then why wouldn't he stay with her...

And in other news......

 

[Johnpaul21]

The Gibbons have moved onto the island- The construction is in it's final stages!

As you can see the gibbons are utilising the towers (It's hard to see in the photo but they are there!) Water fountains on the lake have now turned on and it looks amazing.... They have a huge enclosure and the only remaining parts that need finishing are the playground/benchs.

Ropes string across the two islands-not sure if they get to use both or if one is for them and the other is for the lemurs etc....

 

[Zoofan15]

Strange... I was told that he fell sick and then passed.... Maybe he recovered.... But then why wouldn't he stay with her...

And in other news......

I suspect it’s a combination of three reasons:

1. Tao and Jermei have three offspring together and there would have been little breeding application for a fourth.

2. Kayak needed to go into a pairing following the death of his mate. There was value seen in breeding him (being a founder and having only one offspring who’s a suspected behavioural non-breeder) and Jermei (a proven breeder with surviving offspring) gave him the best chance of siring offspring that would survive.

3. Kayak (1993) and Jermei (2002) are better matched age wise than Kayak (1993) and Tien (2014), who also could have been paired with Kayak. Tien (2014) is instead paired with Tao (2002).

 

[Abbey]

Strange... I was told that he fell sick and then passed.... Maybe he recovered.... But then why wouldn't he stay with her...

And in other news......

It's possible you're getting confused (or were told a slightly mixed-up story) with the Javan gibbons.

Perth Zoo (as you probably know) had a prolific breeding pair named Jury and Hecla. From memory, Jury (the male) died when their last offspring (the male Owa) was reasonably young.

 

[Zoofan15]

Perth Zoo (as you probably know) had a prolific breeding pair named Jury and Hecla. From memory, Jury (the male) died when their last offspring (the male Owa) was reasonably young.

That’s correct. Owa was born June 2014 and his father Jury died in October 2014. Initially hand-raised, they had begun attempts to reintegrate Owa with his father and sister at the time Jury died. His sister Sunda subsequently acted as a surrogate with her mate even tolerating the young male. Owa has since been paired with female at Mogo.

Jury and Hecla produced an impressive 10 infants (making them the world’s most successful captive breeding pair of Javan gibbon):

0.1 Khusus (1995)
1.0 Unnamed (1997)
0.1 Regina (1998)
1.0 Arjuana (2000)
0.1 Sinta (2003)
1.0 Nakula (2005)
0.1 Cahaya (2008)
0.1 Sunda (2010)
0.1 Unnamed (2012)
1.0 Owa (2014)

 

[Zoofan15]

New Tasmanian devils arrive:

From socials:

A new pair of Tasmanian Devils are settling in behind-the-scenes in our vet department, and clearly delighting the vet nurses caring for them

In the coming weeks, Olivia and Megara will be moving into the Australia Bushwalk. Stay tuned for more!

 

[Johnpaul21]

Also In other news that I have received from the Tasmanian devil keeper:

Perth Zoo will receive two new female Tasmanian devils to accompany our current 2 females... (Coee and the other one I forgot it's name are our 2 current ones) Coee is in my post above.

I mentioned this on april 9th but I was told after that it was not likely to happen but clearly they went through

 

[KaelElson05]

Sorry for my inactivity lately!

Primate/Gibbon Crossing opens in less than a week, and Perth Theme Parks has a Facebook post with some sneak peeks of the new project.

Log in to Facebook

 

[Zoofan15]

Koala joey emerges from the pouch:

From socials:

Look who’s popped out of the pouch - an adorable Koala joey!

At just seven months old, this adorable little joey is staying close by mum’s side. But on your next visit, you may be able spot it holding onto mum or enjoying a tasty snack!

 

[Tigergal]

White Cheek Gibbon infant has passed away during birth

An email from Perth Zoo:
We have some news that might be distressing to read. As many of you know, our White-cheeked Gibbon, Jermei, went into labour over the weekend. As a result, the gibbon family weren’t able to join us for the exclusive member morning. We had hoped to celebrate their new home with you, but nature had other plans.

Unfortunately, we have very sad news to share. Despite every effort from our expert team, the baby did not survive

It’s a heartbreaking end to Jermei’s pregnancy and certainly not the news we hoped we’d be sharing while opening the exciting new Gibbon Crossing habitat.

Over her 22 years, Jermei has had successful pregnancies, her youngest six-year-old daughter, Lulani, still lives with her. But Jermei has also experienced some reproductive hardships, including stillbirths. After a stillbirth last year, our animal care team had been closely monitoring this pregnancy and labour.

During her labour, Jermei was monitored 24/7. The team poured endless effort, love and expertise into her care, and signs were initially looking good. But as more time passed, it became clear that nature wasn’t taking its course.

Gynaecological experts who normally assist with human pregnancies helped perform a caesarean to give the baby the very best chance at surviving.

The baby was delivered and had a faint heartbeat, but despite best efforts, the little one didn’t make it.

Working with animals means we get to experience very rewarding highs, but also difficult lows – often all at once. Our teams gave absolutely everything they could across a number of sleepless nights, and we’re so proud of them. Right now, their focus is on helping Jermei recover and supporting the family group through this loss.

There may be times where our gibbons are tucked away in their nightquarters on your next visit, and we hope you understand.

We’re very sorry to have to share this news with you, and we’re grateful for your kindness and unwavering support

 

[Zoofan15]

White Cheek Gibbon infant has passed away during birth

An email from Perth Zoo:
We have some news that might be distressing to read. As many of you know, our White-cheeked Gibbon, Jermei, went into labour over the weekend. As a result, the gibbon family weren’t able to join us for the exclusive member morning. We had hoped to celebrate their new home with you, but nature had other plans.

Unfortunately, we have very sad news to share. Despite every effort from our expert team, the baby did not survive

It’s a heartbreaking end to Jermei’s pregnancy and certainly not the news we hoped we’d be sharing while opening the exciting new Gibbon Crossing habitat.

Over her 22 years, Jermei has had successful pregnancies, her youngest six-year-old daughter, Lulani, still lives with her. But Jermei has also experienced some reproductive hardships, including stillbirths. After a stillbirth last year, our animal care team had been closely monitoring this pregnancy and labour.

During her labour, Jermei was monitored 24/7. The team poured endless effort, love and expertise into her care, and signs were initially looking good. But as more time passed, it became clear that nature wasn’t taking its course.

Gynaecological experts who normally assist with human pregnancies helped perform a caesarean to give the baby the very best chance at surviving.

The baby was delivered and had a faint heartbeat, but despite best efforts, the little one didn’t make it.

Working with animals means we get to experience very rewarding highs, but also difficult lows – often all at once. Our teams gave absolutely everything they could across a number of sleepless nights, and we’re so proud of them. Right now, their focus is on helping Jermei recover and supporting the family group through this loss.

There may be times where our gibbons are tucked away in their nightquarters on your next visit, and we hope you understand.

We’re very sorry to have to share this news with you, and we’re grateful for your kindness and unwavering support

That’s very unfortunate news, especially following her stillbirth last year. The infant mortality rate of this species is reasonably high, with the region’s most successful breeding pair of white-cheeked gibbons to date experiencing only a 50% survival rate across their ten offspring.

Fingers crossed for a successful birth in the future, especially given Kayak’s genetic value as a founder. Jermei is 22 years old, so by no means an old animal.

In the meantime, I commend Perth for sharing this news; which albeit, unfortunate, is very much part of life in this industry and no reflection on their hard working and dedicated team who tried their best for a positive outcome.

 

[Johnpaul21]

During the grand opening of the new Main Lake exhibit yesterday at the Perth Zoo members morning event, I was informed whilst they wished to have the gibbons out on display in their new exhibit that due to the unfortunate still born they would remain in their new night quarters for the weeks to come whilst Jermei heals...

-The pregnancy had seemed to go better than her previous one last year up until the final moments.

-My thoughts are with the Perth Zoo team and Jermei