T: 01492 532938
E: info@welshmountainzoo.org
Old Highway, Colwyn Bay, Conwy,
North Wales, LL28 5UY
A Valentine’s Day Surprise: Oreo the Lar Gibbon Makes Her Debut
- 14th Chwefror 2025
- Kaitlyn Jenkins
Love is most definitely in the air this Valentine’s Day as the Welsh Mountain Zoo – National Zoological Society of Wales, welcomes Oreo the Lar Gibbon, a possible perfect mate for Jake!
Oreo comes to the Zoo from Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens on the recommendation of the European Ex-situ conservation breeding programme (EEP).
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Ex Situ Programmes are a collaborative effort amongst European Zoos and animal institutions, which work to protect species such as the Lar Gibbon from the risk of extinction. A focus of maintaining genetic diversity and promoting healthy populations of species in managed Zoo settings is enacted by carefully selecting pairings, thereby encouraging the co-ordinated breeding of over 500 vulnerable and endangered species.
Introduced in early February, Oreo and Jake are getting to know each other, and their keepers are optimistic about their budding companionship as they settle into their habitat together.
Kaitlyn Jenkins, Marketing and Sales Executive at the Welsh Mountain Zoo commented: “What a terrific way to celebrate Valentine’s Day – welcoming Oreo, a new companion for Jake the Lar Gibbon. We hope that this does indeed mark the beginnings of a true love story, and that at some point in the future we are lucky enough to welcome baby Lar Gibbons to the Welsh Mountain Zoo family.”
Kaitlyn continued “This pairing was made through an EEP recommendation, and programmes like this not only support conservation efforts but also provide an opportunity to educate and engage our guests. A fascinating aspect of Lar Gibbon relationships is their ‘pair dueting’—a beautiful, coordinated duet sung by bonded pairs to strengthen their connection. We look forward to seeing how Oreo and Jake develop their own song over time.”
Breeding and conservation, as part of a wider global network of Zoo’s and animal organisations, sits at the heart of the Welsh Mountain Zoo’s ethos. Successfully pairing gibbons like Jake and Oreo is a crucial step in ensuring the future of this endangered species.
As guests celebrate Valentine’s Day, they are invited to visit Oreo and Jake in their habitat and witness the start of a new companionship, all while learning about the important conservation work that helps protect species worldwide.
