Gibbons wake at dawn! As the sun warms the enclosures, you will see an arm poke out of a sleeping box, and then perhaps a leg, a head... and finally each gibbon is awake!

There'll be some grooming, some yawning and a little chatter. They'll stretch a little and swing down to make sure no trespassers have come in during the night to claim their territory.

Just then, one gibbon family starts their morning song... and everyone is up! All the gibbon families rise to the call and, in their family groups, join in with their unique territorial calls.

Gibbon Center staff never need alarm clocks. Some of the songs can be heard up to 2 miles away! (Oh, and did we mention they break into song periodically throughout the day?)

Want to hear a gibbon call?

The Gibbon Conservation center is located in the Santa Clarita Valley of Southern California. Our focus is on the study and conservation of gibbons - small apes from the forests of South, East, and Southeast Asia.

We currently house more than 40 gibbons, including 5 of the 17 existing species and representing all 4 genera. Our gibbons live in family groups, adults and offspring, giving visitors the opportunity to observe family-oriented behavioral patterns, infant care and development.

Lively and acrobatic, gibbons love to swing at high speeds around their enclosure while singing their territorial songs.

Our gibbons are not tame. They are focused on their families, claiming their territories and on finding food.

At the GCC, the gibbons are fed several times throughout the day, to approximate the food intake rate that would be normal in the wild.

Human/gibbon contact is limited, because our goal is to maintain their natural behaviors and instincts. Primate caregivers and the GCC veterinarian maintain careful watch on their health and well-being.

Perhaps in part due to the relaxed environment, the GCC has welcomed 6 infants in the last 18 months. Come visit and watch these youngsters grow up!

Tours

PUBLIC TOURS:  The Gibbon Conservation Center is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday morning from  9:30 a.m. to noon (except for rainy days and holidays).  No reservations are required.  A tour is given at 10:00 a.m. and self-guided tours are available at all times.  Admission:  $10 (adults; teenagers); $5 (seniors); $5 (children 6-12); $0 (Children under 5).  Checks, cash, and credit cards are accepted.

PRIVATE TOURS:  Private tours can be arranged for any day of the week, in advance, for a minimum charge of $100 (covering 10 people).  For information and scheduling, contact us directly.  See contact information below.