Alan Mootnick on his 60th birthday, 1-23-2011

Today (Jan. 23, 2012) would have been Alan Mootnick’s 61st birthday.  It is a good time to remember the man who did so much to help the gibbons.

Although the Board has been going through some transitions – as might be expected given the fact that Alan was an extraordinary Director and President who ran the administration of the Center virtually single-handedly – we now feel on firmer footing and are looking to the future.  It’s going to be a real challenge to get the funding to continue the Center, but we’re going to do our best!  We’re happy to report that the gibbons are doing really well.

Here’s what Gabi Skollar, our head primate keeper, recently reported:

With Little Alan – born on Christmas day – we have 40 gibbons. Five babies were born last year. They are all doing great, including Hercules who was born via C-section. We are expecting two more births for the summer. We have a great staff with Alma full time, Neta and Jesse part time. I work full time too. We have 3 local volunteers helping: Carmen at every Tuesday, Cindy at every Wednesday, and Lisa 4-5 times a week. They are very dedicated, already trained and very helpful. New volunteers are always welcome, but we are not in the need of them right now. The gibbons are happy. Fortunately, this winter hasn’t been too cold. We installed all the winter tarps on the cages, and we purchased 2 insulated sleeping boxes to test them. U Mynt and Khin Maung already love it. They bring their sleeping blanket inside and make their own bed.

Baby gibbon named Alan Mootnick, born 12-25-2011

Please join us in wishing Alan a happy birthday!  And should you find yourself in the area, we’d love to have you stop by and visit the gibbons.

Warm regards,

Gibbon Conservation Center Board of Directors

Lauren Arenson, Acting President

Chris Roderick, Secretary

Bob Arnold, Acting Treasurer

Mike Ayars

Bill Benbassat

Patti Dahle

Geri-Ann Galanti

Bill Hankins

Howard Martin

Donald Sutherland

On the web: www.gibboncenter.org