Baby Sid reunites with parents

The Idaho Falls Zoo reports Sid, a Mueller Grey Gibbon born on June 16, has successfully been reintroduced with his parents, Shannon and Sterling.

Idaho Falls Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Rhonda Aliah said because Sid was born with a set of rare, sharp teeth, his mother would not let him nurse.

Zoo staff and volunteers have spent more than 3,000 hours caring for Sid since the beginning of his life.

“To hand raise a gibbon is an extremely complicated and time-intensive,” Zoo Operations Manager Linda Beard said. “He needs 24-hour attention just like a human infant.”

Zoo officials said Sid’s parents were moved into the CHC Animal Health Care Center to remain close, but not in direct contact with Sid as part of the reintroduction. Time has been spent teaching Sid and his parents what to do when they are in the same enclosure together. This is necessary as Sid will still need to take a bottle for at least the first year of his life.

“The family is getting comfortable with one another as they learn and demonstrate proper and normal interaction,” said Zoo Director David Pennock. “The reintroduction is going quite well.”

Sid is the first Mueller Grey Gibbon born at the zoo and one of 16 living in the United States.