Gibbon
(Symphalangus syndactylus)
Meet Steve and Lisa
For the first time in his life Steve has the freedom of the trees. ‘He’s one of my favourites,’ - Anna
Yes we can!
It’s taken a huge commitment from all the staff at Manor House, to turn Steve’s life around. The weather, the site conditions, the budget going through the roof have all conspired against our best efforts... but we’ve pulled out all the stops, and at last Steve has moved!
There are no coincidences
The Valley of the Apes, at Manor House Wildlife Park. is just one of a whole series of conservation-led
changes taking place at Manor House. Both Senior Keeper Sarah, and Anna agree that this was meant to be. ‘Steve will come out when he’s ready, he is growing in confidence each day’ , said Sarah, ‘these are exciting times for a gibbon who has spent the first third of his life in a small cage, with no access to the great outdoors.’
What next?
The time and expense involved in changing Steve’s life, the set-backs, the red-tape, the difficulties, everything - just fade to the background when you see the results. The effort everybody has made to improve life for Steve and Lisa is wonderful.
‘We’ve been so encouraged with the support from our visitors, and their commitment to Steve and Lisa. They’re right behind him, willing him on to take the final step,’ - Colin
Lets hope that Lisa‘s feminine wiles, her presents of handfuls of grass can entice him out before the start of the 2010 season. Good Luck Steve! and watch this space!
Steve has finally made it - and in more ways than one!
The very best news is that Steve is now fully rehabilitated. He lives in The Valley of the Apes, swings through the trees with Lisa, and generally loves life!
So great is his following, that he regulary makes the papers! Read this from The Western Telegraph on 7th July:
IT could be the greatest escape since Steve McQueen climbed aboard that Triumph motorcycle...
After eight months of self-imposed exile, Steve the Gibbon has finally ventured out to pastures new.
Steve became a household celebrity and gathered a cult following after appearing on the BBC’s Wild Welsh Zoo programme, detailing the day-to-day running of Anna Ryder Richardson’s Manor House Wildlife Park.
Having spent much of his life in a depressing small room, the park constructed a new gibbon house and Valley of the Apes island enclosure for Steve and drafted in a new love interest, Lisa.
While Lisa soon got into the swing of things, Steve would not budge from his new home and venture across the bridge.
For months staff tried to tempt Steve out and fans kept up to date with the latest via a Facebook page.
But, just as it looked like he might never make the move Steve – encouraged by the love of Lisa – has finally plucked up the courage to cross the water.
Anna said: “At last Steve has made it!
“Head keeper Ross has been just brilliant, and it’s thanks to him, and of course to Lisa, that Steve has finally braved the great outdoors – and he is loving it!
“The power of love knows no bounds – a huge thanks to everybody who has visited Steve willing him to enjoy the freedom of the trees.”
Head keeper Ross added: “Steve has completely adjusted. It’s like he’s always known the freedom of the trees.”
You can follow Steve on Facebook (Steve the Gibbon at Manor House)
The pictures to the right were sent to us by talented photographer Hilary Brinkman.
