How a sanctuary outside LA has cared for rare, endangered gibbons for a half-century

Established in 1976 by self-taught primatologist Alan Mootnick, the Gibbon Conservation Center outside Los Angeles has spent five decades dedicated to caring for some of the world's rarest and most endangered primates. Beginning as a modest operation, the center has evolved into a globally recognized institution that focuses exclusively on gibbons.

Today, the Gibbon Conservation Center is home to approximately 40 gibbons, representing five distinct species. The center's residents are renowned for their striking vocalizations, which can be heard from up to a mile away. Gibbons typically sing several times throughout each day, using their unique voices to communicate within their habitat.

Gabi Skollar, the current director of the center, has carried on Mootnick's legacy since his passing in 2011. Skollar, who immigrated from Hungary to the United States in 2005, learned the art of gibbon care from Mootnick himself. The Gibbon Conservation Center continues to contribute to global research and conservation efforts as these primates face escalating threats from habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade.

At the center, on-site caretaker Jodi Kleier ensures the gibbons receive proper nourishment, often handing out pieces of banana to the animals. Additionally, Skollar arranges replica gibbon skeletons and skulls for visitors to view, providing an educational experience that highlights the unique biology of these primates. The Gibbon Conservation Center remains a vital hub for the preservation and understanding of these extraordinary creatures.