The Honolulu Zoo has recently spiced up the life of two of its more distinguished residents—gibbons, to be exact. Bono, a 42-year-old male white-handed gibbon, has swung into an island habitat where he'll share his days with Japan, a 48-year-old female. The zoo's initiative aims to create companionship between the two primates, who both lost their previous partners.
Zoo goers can now catch a glimpse of Bono, who traveled from the Santa Barbara Zoo to join Japan, a long-standing inhabitant since 1982. The new setup is meant to offer both these senior gibbons the opportunity to possibly bond, a custom that's ingrained in their species in the wild where they tend to form life-long partnerships. "We’re thrilled to welcome Bono to our zoo ʻohana," said Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos, as reported by the City and County of Honolulu. "He’s adjusted well to our climate and to his new companion."
According to zoo officials, the acclimation process for Bono went smoothly and he appears to readily enjoy the presence of Japan, which could be a positive sign for their future interactions. White-handed gibbons are known for their need for social interaction, and the Honolulu scenario is set intentionally to mimic their natural habitats as closely as possible. As the two settle into their rhythms under the warm Hawaiian sun, Santos expressed hope that their companionship will enrich their lives, stating, "It’s heartwarming to see this special pairing unfold as they enter their golden years," as noted by the Honolulu official website.
