The Terra Natura Benidorm team of veterinarians has just confirmed the pregnancy of a female white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar) after an ultrasound. The veterinary test has confirmed that this female, called Amy, is in her fourth month of gestation, so it is expected that she will probably give birth to her fourth baby in August.

A few months ago, zookeepers detected behaviours typical of the courtship between the male and the female, and just weeks ago the saw that the female had gained more weight and she was calmer. These signs have been confirmed thanks to an ultrasound of Amy’s belly.

To avoid disturbing the routine of this primate, the team of specialists performed the ultrasound inside her facility. By a portable ultrasound machine, the test has been carried out and it has been used to make an examination on the female, to finally confirm her pregnancy.

Amy and her partner Shantou, so far, have had three babies in the facilities of this park, dedicated to animal conservation. Amy first birth was in 2011 with Pau, the second one was with Cao in 2015 and the last birth was in 2017 with Tail. The birth of these three babies and the new pregnancy shows the optimal levels of well-being which allow the reproduction of these primates in the park.

When the mother gives birth, during the first weeks the baby will remain next to her. After this stage, the rest of the family members will share the care of the baby, except the feeding, where the mother will continue to give to the baby until is 10 months old. This social behaviour creates and strengthens the family bond.

At present, the white-handed gibbons are part of the EAZA Studbook project that ensures compliance with the conservation measures of protected species for specimens in captivity. The species is also protected by the IUCN and its conservation status is Low Risk, although the threats to its natural habitat increase the pressure on the conservation of its populations.

It is characterized by their slender body with long legs and arms, and no tail. Their hands and feet are white, hence their name. Among the members of the group, they share the affection they feel for each other, so it is not strange to see how they hug frequently and show friendly facial expressions, which resemble a human smile. These primates are known for the high-pitched sounds they emit as a mechanism to defend or claim their territory against other groups of the species.