The others have been sold to zoos around the country. According to Trechsel, Tia is the last offspring Edith will have. With her advanced age, it was just too much for her, said Trechsel. We ll just maintain this family group and not do any more breeding with this pair. Trechsel said when Tia reaches sexually maturity, the zoo will bring in a male for her to establish another breeding pair.
Gibbons are an endangered species, with the white-cheeked variety in particular danger.
There are less than 100 in probably a dozen zoos that are working with the white-cheeks right now, Trechsel said. Zoos around the country are trying to increase their population through breeding programs, and some have enlisted the help of the Minnesota Zoo s known successful breeder, Archie. He is a very proven good father, said Trechsel. The Minnesota Zoo has had great success breeding this particular gibbon family. All of Archie and Edith s offspring, with the exception of Tia, are breeding at other zoos.