VB has learned that a 12 May eviction order has been served by Isle of Wight Council (IWC) on two Siamang gibbons at the newly-opened Owl & Monkey Haven in Staplers Road, outside Newport, following complaints about their noise.
The two male Siamangs, Bog (aged 9) and Xhabu (13), have lived on the site for three years, along with a number of other primates.
Siamangs, which are under threat in their native Sumatra and Malaysia from deforestation, are unusual in having a throat pouch which they inflate when singing, creating a resonant call.
Here’s an example of Siamang gibbons calling at Dorset’s Monkey World.
Bog and Xhabu are unsuitable for breeding programmes, making them unattractive for transfer. The Owl & Monkey Haven has tried to place the gibbons with 10 other zoos or centres, with no success.
This short clip of one of the Siamang gibbons at Owl & Monkey Haven at play was shot recently.
We hope to bring you more on this story as it unfolds.
