Building Companionship: Female Siamang Sid Welcomes Sister Raya to Her New Home at Oakland Zoo

Back in May, Oakland Zoo lost a male siamang, Hahnumahn, leaving Sid, the Zoo's 9-year-old female siamang, alone in her habitat. The Zoo eagerly collaborated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which accredits Oakland Zoo, and the siamang Species Survival Plan (SSP) to find a new companion for Sid. The SSP recommended Raya (pronounced Rye-uh), a 2-year-old female who had been waiting for her forever home. Raya, sadly, lost her parents at a young age, and AZA has been seeking a new home for her ever since. Sid, meanwhile, had never had children of her own. Although their histories make this pairing unusual, Oakland Zoo and AZA/SSP were hopeful about their future together. 

Due to Raya's history, our Animal Care and Vet Hospital staff, following recommendations from the SSP, took longer than usual to introduce these two females. Although Sid had been around her sibling brother growing up, she had not had her own offspring and didn't know what it would be like to be around a rambunctious female siamang.

"It was important for Animal Care staff to take the introduction process slowly over the past month to help Sid and Raya feel comfortable, giving them ample time to get used to each other through a fenceline, known as the "howdy-step." This ensures we move at their own pace and prioritize their wellbeing," says Christian Deane, Zoological Manager at Oakland Zoo.

Through this process, Animal Care staff can observe positive behaviors, such as grooming. After spending enough time in that stage, they are eventually physically introduced. Animal Care staff have also conducted many training sessions with Raya and Sid side by side, to help Raya get comfortable with her Keepers and learn from her new sister Sid.

But work extended beyond the Zoo's Animal Care and Veterinary Hospital staff to include efforts from multiple departments in moving the girls home. While Sid and Raya were going through the introduction phase at the Veterinary Hospital, several departments collaborated with Animal Care to ensure the Siamang habitat was prepared for Sid's return and Raya's introduction to their habitat. Grounds, Horticulture, and Maintenance departments worked with Siamang Animal Care staff to help prepare the habitat by making safety and wellbeing adjustments, including new climbing structures, firehouse enrichment, and additional safety measures. See POV Video of inside Siamang Island Habitat.

"Our Facilities Team loves helping Animal Care with these projects that are different from our usual tasks. When the animals benefit from these efforts, it gives our team a huge boost because we see the immediate impact on Raya and Sid. Our teams enjoy seeing the animals happy and using something we've worked hard on," says Kevin Watt, Senior Facilities Manager at Oakland Zoo.

After a slow introductory period, the two have bonded well. Sid is patient and receptive to her new companion Raya, and Raya is learning to respect boundaries and follow her older sister Sid's cues. They have also been seen wrestling and grooming each other, both signs of positive interactions. Raya will continue learning from Sid how to navigate the island. They might move back and forth between the nighthouse and the habitat as they adjust. The Zoo invites guests to come visit Sid and Raya in the Rainforest section at Oakland Zoo.

Contact:
Isabella Linares
Oakland Zoo
[email protected]

SOURCE Oakland Zoo