In the hills of Santa Clarita Valley, north of Los Angeles, a unique sanctuary dedicated to gibbon conservation has flourished over the past five decades. The Gibbon Conservation Center, established in 1976 by the late Alan Mootnick, has grown from a modest collection of animals into a globally recognized institution devoted exclusively to the care and study of these rare and critically endangered primates.

Gibbons are known for their distinctive vocalizations, which range from siren-like calls and bird-like screeches to low grunts and hoots. These sounds echo through the sanctuary’s dry, hot surroundings and can sometimes be heard up to a mile away. The center currently houses around 40 gibbons representing five species, some of which have populations under 2,000 in the wild.

Mootnick, a self-taught primatologist who balanced his research with a home painting and remodeling business, became a leading expert on gibbons. He published scientific papers, hosted researchers, and advised on gibbon identification and care globally. After his passing in 2011, Gabi Skollar, who joined the center in 2005 from Hungary to work alongside Mootnick, has continued his mission. Skollar, now the center’s director, lives on-site with another caretaker, dedicating her life to the primates she describes as her children.

The sanctuary’s gibbons sing multiple times a day for periods lasting 20 to 30 minutes. The vocalizations have become a focal point of Skollar’s doctoral research at the University of California, Los Angeles. Understanding gibbon communication in captivity, she said, can provide insights valuable to conservation efforts and rescue initiatives in their native habitats across Southeast Asia. There, gibbons face threats from habitat destruction and illegal wildlife trade, with infants frequently captured from the wild and sold as pets.

The conservation center not only cares for rescued gibbons but also contributes to breeding programs aimed at preserving endangered species. Notably, it was the first facility to successfully breed Javan gibbons, native to the Indonesian island of Java, and has recently arranged the transfer of northern white-cheeked gibbons to the Pittsburgh Zoo to support genetic diversity.

Caretakers at the center engage in daily routines that closely mimic natural foraging behavior, feeding the gibbons five to six times a day. Jodi Kleier, a caretaker who has worked there for ten years and started as a volunteer, hand-reared a young gibbon named Rocky after he was abandoned by his mother. Kleier, who also teaches primatology courses, emphasizes the strong bond between humans and primates, noting the deep connection she feels with the animals.

Though the sanctuary is only open to visitors for guided weekend tours, it attracts steady interest from schools, tourists, and senior groups. It also collaborates with local educational institutions like The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, providing students with hands-on experience in animal care.

Looking ahead, Skollar aims to expand the facility with larger enclosures and an education center to further raise public awareness. She remains deeply committed to preserving Mootnick’s legacy and protecting the gibbons under her care, including one named in his honor. “When he passed away, I just felt that he’s around and helping us keep this center going,” she said.