Utica Zoo celebrates gibbon birth with baby shower.

The Utica Zoo is celebrating the successful births of two endangered white-handed gibbons. The zoo's resident couple, Snowflake and Yoda, welcomed their second son, Artoo, on December 17, 2025, joining older brother Dooku, born January 30, 2023. The family of four is described as a strong unit, with the younger gibbons learning to climb and swing under their parents' watch.

To honor Artoo's arrival, the zoo is hosting a special baby shower event on Saturday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m. The celebration will include enrichment activities and treats for the gibbons, encouraging natural foraging behaviors. Visitors can also enjoy an educational keeper talk at 11:30 a.m. This event underscores the zoo's active participation in Species Survival Plans for endangered and vulnerable animals.

The white-handed gibbon is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, facing threats from deforestation and the illegal pet trade. The Utica Zoo's efforts contribute to conserving these primates, alongside other species like Hartmann's mountain zebras, African lions, and red pandas, through its participation in various survival programs.