Akron Zoo Names Critically Endangered White-Cheeked Gibbon Baby

The Akron Zoo's white-cheeked gibbon baby, born on June 27 to mother Parker and father Milo, has been named Leuco following a public naming contest. The name, derived from the species' scientific name Nomascus leucogenys, was chosen after the gibbon family touched enrichment items labeled with the top two public vote names, with Milo selecting Leuco first. This is the couple's second offspring, with their first child, Lolani, born in December 2021 and still residing at the zoo. The zoo highlighted that being an older sister is an important developmental milestone for Lolani. White-cheeked gibbons are critically endangered due to habitat loss, with their population declining by approximately 80% over the past 50 years. The zoo continues to care for the family of four, who remain on habitat daily.