Endangered gibbon born in nature reserve

Port Lympne Reserve in Hythe has announced the birth of an endangered Javan gibbon.

Baby Lima, born on Valentine's Day, is now one of five siblings, cared for by his mother, Belle, and father, Gapak.

Simon Jeffery, animal director at Port Lympne Reserve said the reserve was "incredibly proud" to welcome Lima.

"As a critically important species within the Eaza (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) programme, Javan gibbons are central to our conservation mission," Jefferey said, "and Lima represents a significant and exciting step forward for our breeding efforts".

Founded in 1992, Eaza is the world's largest regional zoo and aquarium organisation focused on animal species conservation.

Port Lympne Reserve manages the Eaza off-site breeding programme for Javan gibbons, in which nine gibbons have been born so far.

Three have already left the reserve for a new life in the wild as part of the reserve's ongoing commitment to return captive-born animals to carefully selected areas of protected wilderness.

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