Endangered silvery gibbon given 'loveable' name

Graihaigh was the third silvery gibbon born at the park to mother Nakula

A rare silvery gibbon born at the Isle of Man's Curraghs Wildlife Park has been named Graihagh after a public poll.

Meaning lovable or loving, the Manx Gaelic name was chosen after a vote on the park's Facebook page.

Born in September to parents Slamet and Nakula, the animal is the third gibbon to have been born on the island since 2016, joining brother Ffinlo and sister Aalin.

The park said Graighagh was "very active and getting stronger as she grows".

'Real star'

Born in September, it had not been possible for the park to confirm the sex of the primate straight away as she was "born hairy" and staff had taken a "very hands off" approach.

A spokeswoman for the park said Graihagh was "climbing around herself with mum close by" and was "a real star and ambassador for her species in Java".

Other names considered were Cara, meaning songster, Feena, which is Manx for fair maiden, and Kiree, the word for sheep.

Classed as endangered, there are believed to be around 2,000 silvery gibbons left on the island of Java.

As part of its conservation work, since 2016 the park has donated £8,000 to the Javan Primate Conservation Centre, where more than 40 silvery gibbons, some of which had been stolen to be sold, have been rehabilitated and released to the wild.