IT WAS bananas all round at the Haven this week when the IW Council planning committee voted to allow the Siamang gibbons to stay, despite opposition from their local councillor Dawn Cousins.
On Tuesday September 2010 a planning committee agreed by seven votes to three that the new Monkey and Owl Haven on Staplers Road could keep their Siamang gibbons.
But Cllr Dawn Cousins had put a case together to support removal of the gibbons without once visiting the new Island attraction for mistreated animals. Many of the birds and primates have been the unfortunate pets of people who didn’t know how to care for them correctly.
The Siamang is the largest species of gibbon. They have big bodies and slender arms covered in thick black fur and a small round face that is nearly hairless.
They are an endangered species through the pet trade and habitual loss (CITES Appendix I) and are nationally protected. Their natural habitats are in Indonesia, Malaysia and a small area of southern peninsular Thailand.
“This has been a long and complex situation that has caused us a lot of stress and worry so we are very relieved that common sense has won the day and the Siamangs can live out their lives at the haven,” said a Haven spokesperson.
“We are obviously disappointed that our local councillor Dawn Cousins did not support the Siamangs or the Haven. Dawn put a case together to support the removal of the Siamangs without consulting with us or even visiting the Haven. Not a great way to win votes from us, or our supporters.
“As a way of celebrating their victory Bog and Xhabu would like to invite all of the visitors who have adopted either one of them a free visit back to the Haven anytime during October 2010. Please bring your adoption certificate with you.
“Xhabu is a male Siamang gibbon and a perfect example of why we set up the Haven. His brother died at birth due to complications and unfortunately Xhabu was born with disabilities. He is cross-eyed and has stunted growth and because of these problems Xhabu can not be used in any breeding programmes.
“Here at the Haven we have the time to look after Xhabu and give him that extra care, attention and enrichment he requires and fully deserves.
“Xhabu has been with us from the start. He is very laid back and has settled into the Haven extremely well enjoying life in his new enclosure. We have seen a vast improvement in Xhabu’s social development and we have become very fond of him. For this reason we decided to name out tea-room after our lovable Siamang ‘Xhabu’.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our visitors for their continued support,” she concluded.
