The month of May is always a special one at the Lake District Wildlife Park.

Not only has spring sprung with the fields a lush green, blossom on the trees, and lambs bounding around; it is also the month that we celebrate a very important birthday…

This year we are celebrating Brian the Lar gibbon’s 58th birthday! At this grand age, he is thought to be one of the oldest Lar gibbons in Europe.

The average life span for a gibbon in captivity is 44 years old and he has well surpassed that. Brian arrived at the Lake District Wildlife Park in 2000 with his partner Sooty where they have been resident for the last for 21 years. The precise date that Brian was born is unknown, but his zoological records from London Zoo date back to the spring of 1963.

Brian and Sooty live with their two offspring, Nobby and Sally, and over the years, more and more people have come to love them. The group of four live well as a family unit, and they all have individual characters. Brian is still active and will venture outside, but on colder days he is more likely to be seen inside his heated house, looking out of the window, and keeping a watch on things.

Over the years, Brian and his family have had many special treats to celebrate his birthday. They have had food treats in boxes and paper for them to unwrap. They have had special cakes made of roast sweet potato, rice cakes, honey, banana and bertolini beans.

Brian has also had “Happy Birthday” sung to him by school children and the visitors to the park. Vicky, their keeper, is currently planning some more special food treats for this year’s celebrations.

Through their antics Brian, Sooty, Nobby and Sally have created a feel of community spirit at the park. Many people talk to us about them and get great pleasure out of watching them. Our posts on social media get lots of comments and likes and we are proud that so many people love them.

If you haven’t met our Lar gibbons yet, do come and see them – we are sure you won’t be disappointed.