Gibbon Conservation Center

The Gibbon Conservation Center (GCC) is a nonprofit animal conservation and education organization located near Santa Clarita, California. Its work is devoted exclusively to gibbons, a group of small Asian apes threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade. The center maintains a captive population for conservation, public education, and research, while also supporting broader efforts to protect gibbons in the wild. GCC was established in 1976 in Saugus by Alan Richard Mootnick, a California native who became a recognized specialist on gibbons without formal academic training in biological science. Mootnick's involvement began when he acquired a former pet gibbon named Spanky. The project expanded from an individual rescue and care effort into a dedicated conservation institution. In 1980, Mootnick used income from his home-repair and painting business to purchase the 10-acre property where the center operates. The center is notable for the breadth of its collection. It has been described as housing the most varied group of gibbons in the Western Hemisphere, with representatives of all four living gibbon genera and five of the world's 19 recognized species. Its population averages approximately 40 gibbons, generally maintained in family groups rather than as a conventional display collection. This arrangement supports social welfare and gives visitors and researchers opportunities to observe gibbon behavior in a more naturalistic context. GCC operates as a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit. Its activities are supported by donations, a small staff, and volunteers. Public access is offered through weekend tours and visits arranged by appointment. The center also serves students, researchers in anthropology and biology, rehabilitation organizations, and zoos. Educational and observational work is intended to increase public understanding of gibbons and contribute to the scientific knowledge needed for their management and protection. The organization's objectives combine ex situ and in situ conservation. It seeks to help secure the survival of every gibbon species in the wild and in captivity, provide a captive haven for gibbons, educate the public, contribute information to the scientific community, assist rehabilitation centers and zoological institutions, and support field conservation projects. This combination gives the center a specialized position between a sanctuary, a public educational attraction, and a research-support institution. Following Alan Mootnick's death, Gabriella (Gabi) Skollar, who had worked with him for several years, became the center's director. The organization remains focused on gibbon care, conservation education, public tours, volunteer participation, and collaboration with researchers and other conservation institutions.

The Gibbon Conservation Center originated in 1976, when Alan Richard Mootnick began caring for a former pet gibbon named Spanky in Saugus, California. Although Mootnick had no formal training in biological science, his sustained work with gibbons developed into specialist knowledge and eventually into the creation of a dedicated conservation organization. The early effort was centered on the practical care of gibbons, but its purpose expanded toward species conservation, education, and the sharing of information with researchers and other institutions. A major development occurred in 1980, when Mootnick used proceeds from his home-repair and painting business to purchase a 10-acre property. This site became the center's long-term base near present-day Santa Clarita. The permanent location enabled GCC to maintain multiple gibbon family groups and to develop a collection intended to represent the diversity of the gibbon family rather than a single species or a general assortment of captive animals. The center subsequently became known for maintaining the most varied group of gibbons in the Western Hemisphere. Its collection includes representatives of all four living gibbon genera and five of the 19 existing species identified in the reference material. The average population is approximately 40 animals. Gibbons are housed in family groups, reflecting the importance of social structure to their welfare and allowing the center to combine husbandry with behavioral observation. GCC developed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by donations, a small paid staff, and volunteers. It opened aspects of its work to the public through weekend tours and visits arranged by special appointment. These visits provide an educational introduction to gibbon biology, behavior, conservation threats, and the practical responsibilities of maintaining gibbons in captivity. The center also became a setting for student projects and research by scholars in anthropology and biology. Its mission has remained broader than maintaining a captive collection. GCC aims to contribute to the conservation and survival of all gibbon species both in the wild and in captivity, offer a captive refuge, educate the public, expand scientific knowledge, assist rehabilitation centers and zoos, and support field conservation. In this role, the organization links public education and animal care with the wider conservation community. Mootnick became a leading authority on gibbons through his practical experience and long-term commitment to the center. After his death, Gabriella (Gabi) Skollar assumed the director's role. Skollar had worked with Mootnick for several years, providing continuity in the center's management and mission. The Gibbon Conservation Center continues to operate near Santa Clarita as a specialized nonprofit devoted to gibbon care, conservation education, research access, and support for efforts to protect gibbons in their natural habitats.

• 1980

  Permanent 10-acre site acquired

  [1]Gibbon Conservation Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Mootnick used proceeds from his home-repair and painting business to purchase the property where the center operates near Santa Clarita.

• 1976

  Gibbon Conservation Center founded

  [1]Gibbon Conservation Centeren.wikipedia.org

  Alan Richard Mootnick established the center in Saugus, California, beginning with his care of a former pet gibbon named Spanky.

• Center develops a broad gibbon collection

  [1]Gibbon Conservation Centeren.wikipedia.org

  GCC became known for maintaining representatives of all four living gibbon genera and five of the 19 existing species, with an average population of about 40 animals.

• Gabriella Skollar becomes director

  [1]Gibbon Conservation Centeren.wikipedia.org

  After founder Alan Mootnick's death, Gabriella (Gabi) Skollar, a longtime colleague, took over as director.

A specialist nonprofit conservation and education center focused exclusively on gibbons, combining captive care, public interpretation, research support, and assistance for wild-conservation efforts.

• Education and visitor experience

  Public tours

  GCC offers public access through weekend tours and visits arranged by special appointment. The tours introduce visitors to gibbon species, social behavior, captive care, and conservation issues while providing an opportunity to see family groups maintained at the center. The offering is an educational service rather than a conventional entertainment attraction and is connected directly to the organization's conservation mission.

• Animal conservation · 1976

  Gibbon conservation and care

  The center maintains a captive population averaging approximately 40 gibbons. Animals are housed in family groups, and the facility provides a specialized haven for multiple gibbon genera and species. This work supports animal welfare, captive conservation, behavioral observation, and the preservation of knowledge relevant to gibbon management.

• Research and education services

  Research and educational support

  Students and researchers in fields including anthropology and biology conduct projects and observations at the center. GCC also shares knowledge with rehabilitation centers and zoos. These activities extend the organization's role beyond public visitation by making its animals, facilities, and accumulated expertise available to scientific and conservation communities.

• Conservation partnerships

  Field conservation support

  One of GCC's stated objectives is to support ongoing field conservation projects. The center's ex situ work is therefore intended to complement, rather than replace, protection of gibbons and their habitats in the wild.

1. 1Gibbon Conservation Centeren.wikipedia.org
2. 2Gibbon Conservation Center official websitegibboncenter.org