Polaris, a six-year-old lar gibbon, has joined the ABQ BioPark Zoo. The new arrival comes from another AZA-accredited institution and was introduced to Siena, the zoo’s only other lar gibbon, in mid-July. According to Josephine Frentzel, BioPark assistant curator of primates, “He is an adorable little guy. He is active, very friendly, and we are glad he’s here.”
Lar gibbons are also known as white-handed gibbons. They are lesser apes that live in trees and can be recognized by a white ring of fur around their face and white fur on their hands and feet.
Frentzel said that Polaris and Siena became friends quickly after being introduced behind the scenes. “He and Siena are attached at the hip,” she said. “They love grooming each other, and they’re doing really well together.” She explained that both animals needed companionship because they had recently reached the age when lar gibbons leave their family group.
“Siena has been solo for a few months, and Polaris was on his own as well, so Siena was a good partner for him,” Frentzel said. “They love being together. By herself, she wasn’t vocalizing but with him, they do a duet and she is getting louder everyday and is gaining a lot of confidence with him.”
The ABQ BioPark participates in Species Survival Plans (SSP), which help manage animal populations for conservation purposes. Polaris was matched with Siena through a breeding recommendation under this program. Maintaining genetic diversity is important for endangered species like the lar gibbon, which faces threats such as poaching, illegal pet trade, and habitat loss according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Visitors can see Siena and Polaris at the north end of Ape Walk near the Africa habitats at the zoo. Polaris is slightly larger than Siena and darker in color.
