The Welsh Mountain Zoo is hoping for a love match between two lar gibbons.
The zoo, in Colwyn Bay, has welcomed Oreo, who they hope will be the perfect mate for Jake.
The pair are getting to know each other, and zoo staff are optimistic about their budding companionship.
Kaitlyn Jenkins, marketing and sales executive at the Welsh Mountain Zoo said: "What a terrific way to celebrate Valentine’s Day – welcoming Oreo, a new companion for Jake the Lar Gibbon.
"We hope that this does indeed mark the beginnings of a true love story and that at some point in the future we are lucky enough to welcome baby Lar Gibbons to the Welsh Mountain Zoo family."
Oreo has come to the zoo from Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens on the recommendation of the European Ex-situ conservation breeding programme (EEP).
The EEP is a collaborative effort among European zoos and animal institutions, which work to protect species such as the lar gibbon from the risk of extinction.
They focus on maintaining genetic diversity and promoting healthy populations of species in managed zoo settings by carefully selecting pairings, thereby encouraging the coordinated breeding of more than 500 vulnerable and endangered species.
Ms Jenkins said: "This pairing was made through an EEP recommendation, and programmes like this not only support conservation efforts but also provide an opportunity to educate and engage our guests.
"A fascinating aspect of lar gibbon relationships is their ‘pair dueting’—a beautiful, coordinated duet sung by bonded pairs to strengthen their connection.
"We look forward to seeing how Oreo and Jake develop their own song over time."
Breeding and conservation, as part of a wider global network of zoos and animal organisations, sits at the heart of the Welsh Mountain Zoo’s ethos.
Successfully pairing gibbons like Jake and Oreo is a crucial step in ensuring the future of this endangered species.
Visitors are invited to see Oreo and Jake in their habitat and witness the start of a new companionship, while learning about the important conservation work that helps protect species worldwide.
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