Gibbon
Conservation Center
News
PETS.TV Video of Alan Mootnick
interview
Courtesy of PETS.TV/Entertainment Studios
(slow to download--please be patient)
New Gibbon Born at GCC on Christmas Day!
Gabi, the Gibbon Conservation Center's Lead Primate Keeper has
announced that a new gibbon was born at the GCC on Christmas Day.
His official name is Alan Mootnick. At the GCC, his nickname
will be Alan or Big Al. His mother's name is Phy Gyi and his
father's name is Arthur. Alan is this bonded pair's first
infant.
Community of Rare Gibbons Found in Vietnam
(Conservation International article from July 18, 2011)
A Conservation International photo shows a northern white-cheeked crested gibbon … The lively morning calls of a rare species of gibbon has led to the discovery of the only known "viable" community of the talkative primates in remote Vietnamese forests, conservationists said Monday. A "substantial" population of 455 critically endangered northern white-cheeked crested gibbons were found living at high altitudes and far from human settlements on the border with Laos, Conservation International (CI) said. Researchers, who had previously found sparse groups in other areas, used the animals' "loud, elaborate and prolonged" calls to locate the creatures in Pu Mat National Park in Nghe An province, northern Vietnam. The community represents two thirds of the total number in Vietnam and the "only confirmed viable population" of the variety worldwide. "This is an extraordinarily significant find, and underscores the immense importance of protected areas in providing the last refuges for the region's decimated wildlife," said CI president Dr Russell Mittermeier. Gibbons, which are threatened across the world, are considered the "most romantic" of primates as they mate for life and serenade their partners with song. Habitat loss and hunting for the pet trade and the "assumed medicinal value of primate body parts" are among the major threats to the creatures in Vietnam, the CI statement said. White-cheeked gibbon numbers are thought to have declined by as much as 80 percent in the last 45 years, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Mittermeier, who also works with the IUCN, described the species as "on the brink of extinction". They are believed to be "functionally extinct" in China and while there could be significant numbers in Laos, CI said a lack of research means the situation in the country is unclear. But CI said plans to build a road through the Pu Mat area to increase patrols on the Vietnam-Laos border pose a "serious threat" to the future of the rare primates. "The major issue will be the hunting of these gibbons that were previously protected by the harsh terrain; so gun control will be vital," said primatologist Luu Tuong Bach, a consultant to CI who led field surveys for the research. "Without direct protection in Pu Mat National Park, it is likely that Vietnam will lose this species in the near future. . . . . from a Yahoo story.
White-cheeked female infant born
Ricky and Vok have a new infant that was born on 7 February 2011. We have not thought of a name as yet for this little girl, but we are most pleased, for there are less female northern white-cheeked gibbons born in captivity than males. Ricky is allowing both St Paddy and Canter to briefly inspect their new sister. Ricky is one of the nicest mothers we have. Generally the birth interval is 2 years in captivity and 3 years in the wild, and Ricky sees nothing wrong in allowing her offspring to nurse for 3 years. Her birth intervals are similar to what would be observed in the wild. This is an important contribution to the conservation of this species. The northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) is the rarest primate in the wild that is in a successful captive breeding program. There are between 350 - 500 northern white-cheeked gibbons in their native habitat in China, Vietnam and Lao. We hope that some day we will be able to release some of our offspring into protected forests near other northern white-cheeked gibbons.
URGENT PLEA TO OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS:Gibbon Conservation Center needs to begin collecting funds now to purchase property in order to relocate. Encroaching local development will soon become a very real threat to the health and well-being of our gibbons. Stress from the sight and noise of construction, and microorganisms in the dust stirred up in earth moving, pose unacceptable and lethal dangers. Such a move will be, by far, the greatest and most difficult undertaking GCC has ever faced. While maintaining the facility in its present location, we must find the additional funds to purchase property, obtain permits, build enclosures, offices and living space for the director and staff, then move the entire contents of the current facility. Most importantly, the safety and health of the gibbons during the move must be carefully planned for and assured. This move will take at least a year and a half, but we must begin immediately. Our most urgent need is for at least 20 usable acres (or the funds to buy) in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo or Monterey County, or other mild climate more suitable for the gibbons. Can you help with a donation of land or any amount of money to help purchase it? All contributions are tax deductible. Please write us at PO Box 800249, Santa Clarita, CA 91380, call 661-296-2737, or email info@gibboncenter.org. Thank you! |
 Rare
Births We are proud to announce the birth of a female pileated gibbon (Hylobates pileatus) named "Violet" who was born on 23 April 2009. There are less than 20 pileated gibbons housed in three institutions in North America. We house half of them. Only 30,000 remain in the wild with approximately 24 known captive breeding pairs worldwide. |
 We
are also pleased to announce the birth of a female Javan
gibbon (Hylobates moloch). The second female Javan gibbon
born in the USA was born here at GCC on 5 June 2009. "Ula"
represents the seventh birth of this endangered species in
the USA, all of which were born at GCC. |
L.A. Weekly article on newsstands Oct. 2, 2008 can be viewed here.
An article about GCC and Alan Mootnick appeared in the Los Angeles Times June 11, 2008.
KNBC's Patrick Healy did a report on the Gibbon Center's need to relocate, which aired May 23, 2008. (link no longer available)
White-handed gibbons extinct in
China (May 2008)
China's fauna exhibits a unique diversity of apes. Unfortunately,
the apes are more strongly endangered by extinction in China than in
any other country. A research team assembled by anthropologists of
Zurich University now conclude that another ape species has just
become extinct in China's Yunnan province.
Read the report
Video of 2005 interview with Alan Mootnick by Leon Worden for Santa Clarita Valley TV:
Good News for
Hoolock
Gibbons in Their Native Habitat:
"Tree fellers turn forest
protectors (Nov. 2005)
Innovative project stops illegal logging at Lawachara by
ZAM Khairuzzaman SHAMSER Ali, Shamim, Manik and Sujai, four former
tree fellers of Doluchhara, dropped their axes and whipsaws about
three months ago and have became active members of a 20-member
community patrol team in the Lawachara National Park. . . . "(see
entire article)
Award Bestowed On Sept. 22, 2001, The Wildlife Waystation honored Alan Mootnick with a Paws of Fame Award at their gala 25-year Silver Safari Brunch for Alan’s extraordinary commitment to the Gibbon Conservation Center and its inhabitants, and to all animals’ welfare.