Glamorous gibbon

Makoto Miyazaki / Daily Yomiuri Photographer

A baby pileated gibbon at the Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia is the first of its kind born in Japan by artificial insemination.

Born on July 28, she now stands about 25 centimeters tall--a little larger than a human hand--and weighs 1,500 grams.

Pileated gibbons live in tropical forests in Thailand and Cambodia. An adult grows to about 45 to 60 centimeters in height, and weighs between six and 10 kilograms. Although the precise population in the wild is unknown, pileated gibbons are the gibbon species most in danger of extinction. Efforts to breed them in captivity are essential.

A zoo keeper has been taking care of the baby gibbon since birth. She was kept in an incubator for six months, but now is given milk twice a day and can eat a 100-gram banana.

The baby is getting acquainted with her mother through repeated encounters with her through their cage. If all goes well, they will be kept together after the baby is weaned.