Loki the siamang was born several weeks ago to mother Fern and is the seventh member of his group.

Zoo manager Lou Grossfeldt said Loki’s arrival was welcome news for the regional gibbon population.

“This has been a really successful breeding group,” Ms Grossfeldt said.

“We’re really excited about having a new addition.”

Ms Grossfeldt said Loki had already bonded well with the clan.

“We’ve seen some great changes in the group,” Ms Grossfeldt said.

“The thing you notice with any primate species, having infants in a group helps generates really good social relationships and nice family bonding.

“It’s a great opportunity for play and physical and emotional development.”

Zookeeper Bec Ryman said the young gibbon was fortunate to be under the loving care of his doting mother.

“Fern has been wonderful to all her offspring,” Ms Ryman said.

“She’s been such a beautiful mum.

“The females of the group have had the best opportunity to have successful offspring themselves because Fern’s been such a good role model.”

While zoo visitors can now see Loki for themselves, it will be eight months until the gibbon detaches from mum.

However, Loki’s independence may come a little earlier than usual, if his curious nature is anything to go by.

“Every time we feed, he’ll want to have a look,” Ms Ryman said.

“The last offspring wanted to try food at four months.

“It does definitely encourage them to get off mum earlier when they have older offspring too.

“He’ll want to start playing with his older siblings who have so much fun, so he’ll want to get in on that.”

Loki is expected to stay at Mogo Zoo until at he is at least seven or eight years of age.

“Being so young, we’re not sure where he will go,” Ms Grossfeldt said.

“He may go on to contribute and have his own family or be part of a larger group.”