The Santa Barbara Zoo's gibbon has a new partner.
Thirty-seven-year-old Bono, a male white-handed gibbon, joins Jasmine, who just turned 42 and lost her younger companion, Jari, suddenly last summer.
Bono has been at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka since the age of 2 and was matched with Jasmine through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) after also losing his companion recently.
"Gibbons are social creatures and live in lifelong monogamous pairs," shared Dr. Julie Barnes, the Zoo's Vice President of Animal Care and Health. "We have been looking for a companion for Jasmine since her elderly male mate Gulliver passed away in 2016. After losing her younger companion, Jari, last year, we're hopeful Bono will be a wonderful match. We look forward to Jasmine and Bono living out their golden years here with us at the Santa Barbara Zoo"
Jasmine has been at the Santa Barbara Zoo since 1979.
The zoo says she is "extremely long-lived" and has been diabetic for the last three years.
"Since Bono arrived, Jasmine's been exhibiting positive behaviors I've never seen before in the 15 years I've worked with her. We are happy to see her so engaged," says Senior Keeper Heather Leith in a press release.
Related:
One of two gibbons at Santa Barbara Zoo dies
Gibbon recently moved to Santa Barbara Zoo dies unexpectedly
