Our first birth of 2026: An endangered pileated gibbon...
10th Feb 2026
As a conservation charity, we're delighted to share a heartwarming milestone following the birth of an endangered pileated gibbon, our first zoo baby of 2026!!
The newborn is the latest addition to our primate family, born to experienced parents, and a successful breeding pair. Both mum and baby are doing really well, with the infant clinging tightly to her.
While undeniably adorable, the birth is far more than a feel-good moment. Pileated gibbons are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with wild populations under severe threat from habitat loss and fragmentation across Southeast Asia.
Crucially, this newborn represents some of the most important genetics in the European population, a vitally important safeguard for their wild counterparts.
We coordinate the EEP (EAZA Ex-situ Programme) for pileated gibbons, meaning that our expert team are responsible for planning and managing breeding recommendations for across European zoos to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse population, safeguarding the species for the future.
The baby's genes are not over-represented, making the birth a significant story for the programme and a vital step in protecting the species long-term.
Matt Ford, Primate Curator at Twycross Zoo and EEP Coordinator for pileated gibbons, said:
"This is a hugely important birth, not just for Twycross Zoo but for the entire European pileated gibbon population. Every baby born as part of the EEP is carefully planned, and this infant carries genetics that are incredibly valuable for the long-term future of the species.
Seeing mum caring so confidently for her baby is fantastic, and it's a real privilege for visitors to be able to witness such an important conservation success first-hand.:"
The baby and mother can currently be seen in Gibbon Forest, giving visitors a rare opportunity to observe one of the world's most threatened primates during its earliest days.
