[Bobby-Jean]'s contribution to the survival of her species cannot be overestimated, said Dr. Bob Wrigley, Assiniboine Park Zoo's curator.

"You don't need a better example than grey gibbons if you're talking about (the importance of) captive breeding. Within 40 years, this species will be totally extinct in the wild," he said Friday inside the zoo's primate enclosure, where one of Bobby-Jean's daughters, 10-year-old Willow, still resides.

"It's very strange, because we're in such a cold climate and these (animals) come from the tropics," he said, surmising the zoo's infrequent use of anesthesia may contribute to the fertility of its primates.