Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire, England has welcomed new animals including two silvery gibbons, as well as hundreds of thousands of new insects.
The silvery gibbon – the first new species of primate to join Twycross Zoo in more than 10 years – is currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 2,500 estimated to remain in the wild.
One of the gibbons has come to Twycross Zoo from Chester Zoo. Both gibbons will live in a state-of-the-art habitat, one of the largest gibbon facilities in Europe.
In addition, Twycross Zoo has welcomed many insects in recent weeks, including a colony of around 100,000 leafcutter ants. The colony was relocated from South America to save it from extermination due to pesticide use in the region.
The zoo also now houses a group of 21 golden-eyed stick insects, which are native to Peru and currently categorised as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.
A Mexican fireleg tarantula has also joined Twycross Zoo. This species is listed as endangered by the IUCN due to threats caused by humans.
Lynsey Bugg, senior curator at Twycross Zoo, said: “Although these animals will live at Twycross Zoo, their presence here will have great impact on the conservation of the species globally as they form part of our ex-situ conservation activity.
Conservation efforts at Twycross Zoo
“By supporting the maintenance of healthy ex-situ populations of species, we can ensure the long-term survival of these endangered animals and prevent global populations from deteriorating further and approaching extinction.”
Last year, Twycross Zoo launched a new conservation strategy. The facility is home to hundreds of animals from more than 70 species, including giraffes, penguins, tigers, and its four species of great ape.
The zoo welcomes around 600,000 visitors every year to its 100-acre site.
Images courtesy of Twycross Zoo
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