New endangered ape born at Gibbon Conservation Center

Dennis, born three days ago at the Gibbon Conservation Center, with Ricky.

The Gibbon Conservation Center in Santa Clarita participates in the Species Survival Plan for northern white-cheeked gibbons, a species that is critically endangered — fewer than a thousand remain in the wild. On Monday, the newest northern white-cheeked gibbon was born at the center. He was named Dennis. His parents, Ricky and Vok, have had six offspring in 20 years together at the center. According to the center's Facebook page, the other gibbons in the family group take turns kissing and grooming the new arrival.

The infant Dennis and the 40 other gibbons at the center will be part of the festivities on Saturday at the center's "Thanks-Gibbon" fundraiser. It's from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Discount tickets

The Gibbon Conservation Center was founded in 1976 by Alan Mootnick. Per Facebook, it's the only facility in the world devoted exclusively to gibbons, an increasingly rare ape. The center has five species of gibbons in residence. Mootnick died in 2011.

Dennis and Ricky.

Pepper, Dennis's older sister, is curious.

Photos by Gibbon Conservation Center