The Curraghs Wildlife Park has been chosen to participate in a prestigious breeding programme for an endangered animal.

The Ballaugh park is to house a pair of silvery gibbons with the hope they will mate, contributing to the survival of the species.

David Cretney MLC, member of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture with responsibility for the Wildlife Park, said the primates would be the ‘most high-profile animal ever housed at the park’ and would boost visitor numbers.

The wild silvery gibbon lives exclusively on the Indonesian island of Java but the population of 2000 is threatened by habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade.

After fears in 2004 that it would become extinct within a decade, the latest International Union for the Conservation of Nature currently lists it as ‘endangered’.

There are just 42 silvery gibbons in European zoos – more than half of them at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent.

The Aspinall Foundation, which operates Howletts, and the Javan Primate Project has chosen the Curraghs Wildlife Park to take part in the European Endangered Species’ breeding programme.

This was after a rigorous assessment of its suitability to house and breed the animals.

Wildlife park staff will arrange for the importation of a male silvery gibbon from the USA, introducing a new bloodline, and it will be paired with a female at Howletts before the pair are transported to the Island.

Mr Cretney said that with the wild population so threatened, the park would hopefully help to grow the ‘small but vital back-up captive population’ of silvery gibbons.

But he said: ‘There is a possibility that youngsters born in Europe may be rehabilitated back to Java and the thought that a gibbon born here might end up in the forests of Java is an exciting prospect.’

Mr Cretney added: ‘We are delighted have been accepted into the breeding programme. The paperwork now starts to move the male from the USA to the UK, then onto the Isle of Man.

‘Meanwhile, building work will start next Friday (4th December) for the animals’ new home, with guidance from Howletts. The work will necessitate having to close the park, just for the day. We will be open as usual from Saturday 5th December.’

‘All being well we should have our new pair of silvery gibbons by summer 2016.

‘They will be a great attraction and will delight our thousands of visitors.’

Mr Cretney said the park would welcome sponsorship for the exhibit, including the interpretation boards and climbing frame.

The Friends of the Curraghs Wildlife Park are assisting the project and are accepting donations.

2015 is international Year of the Gibbon.

For information about and tickets for the Curraghs Wildlife Park, including opening hours and ticket prices, visit www.curraghswildlifepark.im/.