The Gibbon Conservation Center in California’s Santa Clarita Valley continues its mission of caring for five species of endangered primates. The facility, which has operated since 1976, currently houses approximately 40 gibbons and serves as a site for both conservation research and public education through weekend guided tours.
The sanctuary was founded by the late Alan Mootnick, a self-taught primatologist who began the center after purchasing his first gibbon in 1976. Mootnick, who also ran a home remodeling business, became a recognized authority on the species before his death in 2011. Since then, the facility has been managed by director Gabi Skollar, who moved from Hungary in 2005 to study under Mootnick.
The center focuses on the welfare of gibbons, which are native to Southeast Asian tropical rainforests and face threats from deforestation and the illicit wildlife trade. According to the facility, some species they care for have wild populations of fewer than 2,000 individuals. To maintain genetic diversity, the center participates in breeding programs and animal exchanges with other institutions, such as the Pittsburgh Zoo.
Staff and volunteers at the Santa Clarita site feed the animals five to six times daily to simulate natural foraging habits. The center was the first to successfully breed the Javan gibbon in captivity. Beyond animal care, the facility partners with local schools and organizations like Moorpark College to provide students with hands-on experience in animal care and primatology.
Visitors and local students in the Santa Clarita area are directly impacted by the facility’s educational programs. Students from Moorpark College’s Teaching Zoo visit annually for field trips, and many graduates eventually secure employment or volunteer positions at the sanctuary. The public can observe the primates' distinctive vocalizations and behaviors during weekend tours, which the center uses to raise awareness about the impact of the illicit wildlife trade and habitat loss on Southeast Asian ecosystems.
Looking ahead, director Gabi Skollar is seeking to increase funding for the construction of larger enclosures and a dedicated education center for visitors. While the center continues its daily operations of feeding and research, it is also preparing for the transfer of a pair of northern white-cheeked gibbons to the Pittsburgh Zoo. These efforts aim to sustain the facility’s role as a primary resource for both international researchers and local conservation education.