I am thrilled to announce that our white-cheeked gibbon pair, Burma and Caruso, just became grandparents! Many of you remember Burma and Caruso’s first offspring, male Kien Nhan, who was born in September 2001 at the Helen Brach Primate House. That little one is all grown up. He and his mate at Boston’s Stone Zoo just welcomed their first born—ten years to the day of dad’s birth—on September 2.

Kien will always hold a special place in my heart. He sustained an unfortunate injury that resulted in the partial amputation of his arm at a young age. However, he made a full recovery and adapted to life with incredible resilience and ingenuity. (I remember visitors at the gibbon exhibit unaware that the agile animal swinging around before them was missing part of his arm.)

Kien left Lincoln Park Zoo in 2008 to be paired with Iggy at Stone Zoo’s new gibbon exhibit, a move that was recommended by the Gibbon Species Survival Plan®.

Last month, I was able to visit the pair. Kien looked fantastic and Iggy looked… pregnant! Naturally, I was ecstatic to hear that their newborn had finally arrived. You can see a photo of mom and offspring here.

Congratulations to my old friend, Kien. And congratulations to the new grandparents, Burma and Caruso, who have excellent timing, seeing as how Lincoln Park Zoo is honoring grandparents and Celebrating Seniors this month.

Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy