When Kunming Zoo was established in 1953, it exhibited only 6 species of animals with a total of 7 animals; in 1999, it increased to 228 species, 2634 animals. There are more than 300 species of animals and more than 6,000 animals (heads).
The animal display not only includes rare birds and exotic animals from Yunnan, such as elephants, bison, brown-necked hornbills, Bengal tigers, black-tailed pythons in northwest Yunnan, giant pandas in northwest Yunnan, yunnan golden snub-nosed monkeys, gibbons, golden leopards, langurs, green peacocks along the Ruili River, etc.; there are also rare domestic animals, such as golden snub-nosed monkeys, Northeast tigers, eagles, etc.; there are also foreign visitors, such as Australian kangaroos, cassowners, African zebras, giraffes, flamingos, African lions, South American macaws, etc.
In the Kunming Zoo, there are five characteristic animal populations, which are: Yunnan golden snub-nosed monkeys, red pandas, green peacocks, gibbons, and Asian elephants.
White-cheeked gibbon
(1) White-cheeked gibbon
Scientific name: hylobates leucogenys
Level of protection: National level
Origin: Southern Yunnan
Living habits: inhabit tropical rainforest below 1500 meters above sea level, camp arboreal life. It eats wild fruits, buds, young leaves and flowers, and is particularly fond of banyan fruit and insects. Likes to chirp, in the morning when the sun rises, the adult ape first chirps, and finally the whole resonates, the sound is pleasant, and it can be heard for miles.
White-browed gibbon
(2) White-browed gibbons
Scientific name: hylobates hoolock
Origin: Yunnan, Tibet
Life habits: inhabiting tropical primary forests, living in trees almost all year round, advancing like a swing, and moving quickly and accurately. When walking, the body is half-erect, the arms are sometimes bent on both sides of the body, sometimes raised above the head, and the walk is rocky and swinging, which is funny. Omnivorous, eating leaves, fruits, insects, birds and eggs. Juvenile apes mature at 8-9 years of age, give birth in winter, and give birth to 1 litter per litter.