FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — An endangered baby siamang was born at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and zoo officials say both mother and infant are doing well.
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo announced that Safiya, a 16-year-old siamang, gave birth to a female baby on Thursday, June 11.
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The zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams are monitoring the pair.
Endangered baby siamang born at Fresno Chaffee Zoo (Courtesy: Fresno Chaffee Zoo)
General Curator Nicole Presley said, The two have started bonding in the habitat with the other siamangs and orangutans, beginning to establish a normal daily routine with the rest of the troop.
“Safiya is an experienced mother and, as expected, is doing an exceptional job.”
The baby is the third infant born to Safiya and a male siamang named Noah at Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
According to the IUCN Red List, siamangs are considered endangered in their natural habitat.
The zoo said it is a partner of the AZA SAFE, Saving Animals From Extinction, Gibbon program, working with zoo professionals across the country with a focus on wild gibbon conservation.
Safiya and her baby have made their debuts in their habitat, Kingdoms of Asia, but the zoo said they may still spend some time behind the scenes as they continue to bond.
Guests can most likely expect to see the pair on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The zoo said updates will be shared on its social media channels, where an official name announcement will be made at a later date.