Endangered species move into Twycross Zoo

Two of the new additions are silvery gibbons.

Twycross Zoo has announced the arrival of 100,000s of new animals, including a number of endangered species.

Two of the new additions are silvery gibbons.

They are currently listed as “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List with less than 2500 estimated to remain in the wild.  

The move is a significant one as the pair are the first new primate species to arrive at the zoo in over ten years and are lined up to be a future breeding pair as part of a coordinated European zoo conservation programme, designed to help preserve this endangered species. 

Lynsey Bugg, Senior Curator at Twycross Zoo, said: “We’re delighted to welcome these important new species to Twycross Zoo as we continue to progress with our conservation strategy.  

“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.  

“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.”  

In addition to the silvery gibbons, Twycross Zoo has also welcomed a host of insects in recent weeks, including a colony of around 100,000 leaf-cutter ants rehomed from South America.  

Also among the insect arrivals were a group of 21 golden-eyed stick insects, which are currently categorised as “Critically Endangered” according to the IUCN Red List. 

The zoo has also welcomed an endangered species of arachnid — the Mexican fire-leg tarantula. This species is listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN with its global populations in decline, again due to threats caused by humans. 

Lynsey, said: “Our Species Planning Tool is an integral instrument used to drive forward our efforts to protect and preserve endangered species.”  

“This tool enables us to ensure that all animals at Twycross Zoo, whether big or small, have a valuable reason for being here, will have an impact on the conservation of that species as a whole, and that the best possible provisions are in place in order to care for those animals.”