Gibbon Moving to Santa Barbara Zoo

EUREKA, Ca. (KIEM) – Sequoia Park Zoo’s White-Handed Gibbon is getting ready to head to the Santa Barbara Zoo next month.

Born at Emroy University in Atlanta, Bono came to Eureka in 1984 at the age of two. He was brought to be paired with Joh-Leen who was born and raised here in Humboldt.

Gibbons live in lifelong monogamous pairs. Bono and Joh-Leen closely bonded and shared their exhibit for 35 years.

Joh-Leen died in August 2019 after many months of illness and treatment.

Staff from the zoo reached out to the zoo community when it became apparent Joh-Leen would not survive her condition.

Bono’s best option is to be sent down to the Santa Barbara Zoo where an older female Gibbon recently lost her companion as well.