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Be serenaded by the haunting melodies of the Gibbons during a once-a-year fundraising benefit for one of the loudest land mammals in the world.  Their vigorous vocal display marks their family unit territories at the Gibbons Center, where you can see one of the rarest groups of Gibbons in the Western Hemisphere. It was 30 years ago when Alan Mootnick of Saugus founded the nonprofit facility in Santa Clarita for the study, propagation, conservation and betterment of the highly endangered small ape.

 

Today Mootnick says the 30 apes living there seem to be like his family.  He spends seven days a week with the primates.

“When I was nine-years-old I wanted to be Tarzan’s son.  I went to the zoo and heard them singing and just had to follow the sound until I found them,” says Mootnick.

He won’t single out any one Gibbon as a favorite.  Watching all of them play, tease and share is a joy for him.

“You know they are the world’s greatest acrobats and the only non-human primate that walks on two feet naturally,” says Mootnick.

If you want to see them for yourself, mark March 31 on your calendar.  The event begins at 9 a.m. with a continental-style vegan buffet breakfast followed by a tour of the center led by Mootnick.  There will also be a silent auction.  Funds from the event will help to relocate the center for the apes due to stress caused by construction in the area that has disrupted the land, posing a health hazard for the animal population.  They are currently looking to add another 20 usable acres.

To make your tax-deductible donation, send a check to: GCC PO box 800249, Santa Clarita, 91380 before March 21 or email gibboncenter@earthlink.net.  Cost for the event is $30 for adults 18 years and over, $15 for teens, 13-17 years of age and $10 for children 3-12 years of age.  Children 3 and under are free.  All proceeds will benefit the Gibbons.  Breakfast has been donated by Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Western Bagel and Newhall Coffee.  Regular daily admission to the center ranges from between $7 and $12 based on the visitor’s age.


For further information, visit www.gibboncenter.org.

Santa Clarita Magazine

Santa Clarita Magazine