The Gibbon Conservation Center is leaving its Saugus home of more than 40 years this summer, set to move to Santa Margarita in San Luis Obispo County.
The center is in escrow for a 26-acre property, and the organization hopes to move by the time its current lease ends in July, according to Gabi Skollar, the center’s director.
“We’re looking to expand and have larger enclosures for the gibbons,” Skollar said, adding that the current property in Saugus is only 5 acres. “(But) we are also sad to leave because we have friends here and a very supporting community.”
Around three dozen gibbons are set to make the move to their new home, which is expected to have a workshop area for building and repairs, housing for interns, two greenhouses, a fruit orchard and more than two dozen trees, solar power and numerous storage sheds.
In addition, the climate will be better for the gibbons up along the Central Coast, as the SCV is too hot and dry for their typical climate, Skollar added.
In the meantime, residents can swing into the now reopened Saugus center for a visit before the gibbons move away.
Reservations are required to visit the Gibbon Conservation Center, which is open to the public each Saturday and Sunday for a fee of $15 per adult, $10 seniors, $12 students and teens, $5 kids ages 5-12, and free for those younger than 5, with a max of 20 people per group. The center is located at 19100 Esguerra Road in Saugus.
For more information, visit gibboncenter.org or call the center at 661-296-2737.
