November 5, 2021 – On July 18, 2021, zookeepers at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo found a fantastic surprise while working their afternoon routine. Cajun, the white-handed gibbon, was toting an adorable infant in her arms.
Over the last decade, staff, zookeepers and guests have excitedly watched as the gibbon family has grown. They’ve watched Eddie and Cajun’s son Rainer grow from a baby to an adult, ready to start his own family with a mate across the country in California. Like clockwork, the zoo welcomed a new member to the family every two to three years. Last year, the couple had their first blonde baby, Cusa. The arrival of the new baby less than a year later was a pleasant surprise. While gibbons will occasionally have two young offspring nursing at the same time, it was a first for Cajun. With four kids swinging around, these parents surely have their hands full, but as usual, they are handling this new development with grace and patience.
Guest and keepers can’t resist stopping by to visit the family and observing all the activity. It’s mesmerizing to watch their effortless movements through the bamboo, hilarious to see the young ones coming of age and figuring out how to use their oversized arms and heartwarming to observe the multi-gibbon cuddle sessions. Come on by and see for yourself! The SF Teaching Zoo is open everyday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.