CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden announced visitors can now see its 10-month-old white cheeked gibbon, Kip, and his surrogate parents, Skittles and M&M.

What You Need To Know

  • The gibbons are housed in the Jungle Trails habitat and can be seen daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., depending on the weather

  • Kip arrived at the zoo on March 7, and since then, he has been getting to know his new moms

  • The zoo said he was moved from the Dallas Zoo after his actual parents showed no interest in caring for him

The gibbons are housed in the Jungle Trails habitat and can be seen daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., depending on the weather. 

Kip arrived at the zoo on March 7, and since then, he has been getting to know his new moms.

Kip the gibbon with his surrogate moms, Skittles and M&M. (Courtesy of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden)

“It has taken a lot of teamwork and time to get to this point,” said Cincinnati Zoo Zoological Manager Victoria McGee in a press release. “We wanted visitors to be able to see Kip sooner, but it was important to make sure that the trio was a solid unit and that Kip’s climbing skills were good before they ventured out. He’s still a little wobbly but doing great with help from Skittles and M&M.”

Kip came to the Cincinnati Zoo after the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Program recommended moving him from the Dallas Zoo, after his actual parents showed little interest in caring for him. 

“They’re doing great together and are so fun to watch,” said McGee.  “Kip has boundless energy and keeps the girls busy."

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