Baby Gibbon Born at Santa Barbara Zoo, First in More Than 20 Years

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A new addition is swinging into the Santa Barbara Zoo.

A white-handed gibbon gave birth to a baby on August 29, marking the zoo's first gibbon birth in more than 20 years.

The birth came as a surprise to zoo staff. The baby arrived about a month earlier than keepers expected, and several young visitors noticed something was happening and alerted staff.

The visitors ended up with a rare, front-row view of the birth.

The newborn is now spending time with its mother, Chanee, and father, Mel, in their habitat.

The birth is significant beyond the excitement of welcoming a new animal. White-handed gibbons are an endangered species, and Chanee and Mel are part of a conservation breeding effort through the Gibbon Species Survival Plan.

Gibbons face threats in the wild including habitat loss and illegal wildlife trafficking.

Zoo staff are closely monitoring the baby as it develops and say visitors can now see the newest member of the gibbon family at the zoo.

The baby has not yet been named.

WHAT TO KNOW

• Species: White-handed gibbon
• Birth date: August 29, 2026
• Mother: Chanee
• Father: Mel
• Status: Endangered
• Santa Barbara Zoo: First gibbon birth in more than 20 years