Celebrating Pongo: The Orangutan Who Started it All

Happy 35th Birthday, Pongo – August 16th

This month, we’re celebrating a very special milestone for a very special orangutan. On August 16th, our beloved Pongo will celebrate his 35th birthday, and with it, we honor the journey that led to the founding of the Center for Great Apes.

Pongo’s story is deeply woven into the heart of our sanctuary. Back in 1993, he was a juvenile living at a Miami tourist attraction. When CGA founder, Patti Ragan, began volunteering to help care for him, she quickly realized there were few, if any, long-term, secure options for orangutans like or others who were no longer used in entertainment.

Determined to find a better way, Patti established the Center for Great Apes to create a permanent, enriching, and loving home for orangutans and chimpanzees coming out of entertainment, the exotic pet trade, or research. And it all started with Pongo.

Today, Pongo continues to capture hearts with his gentle eyes, wise expression, and calm demeanor. Over the years, he’s spent time with several orangutan companions, including Chuckie, Radcliffe, Christopher, Tango, Pebbles, and Mari.

Pongo loves spending time with his caregivers, getting to know new ones, and even directing them to exactly where he’d like his fan placed and turned on. He also enjoys participating in husbandry training, engaging with his caregivers in ways that help maintain his health and well-being. And when it’s time to relax, Pongo has a favorite hobby: settling into his culvert, positioned directly in front of his fan, where he can enjoy the perfect breeze and watch the happenings around the sanctuary.

Pongo may have started as just one orangutan in need, but because of him, over 90 great apes now have a forever home at the Center for Great Apes.

Celebrating the Sanctuary’s Oldest Male Orangutan, Radcliffe

Radcliffe, the oldest male orangutan at the sanctuary, will be celebrating his 47th birthday in just a few days, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Known for his micheveous nature and inventive spirit, Radcliffe has a knack for turning everyday items into works of art. His favorite pastime is building elaborate nests and cozy “tents” out of blankets, boxes, and tubs. He often adds his own special touch by weaving corners together overhead, creating the perfect sheltered spot for a peaceful night’s rest.

He’s also something of a neat freak! Radcliffe loves having rags and bubbles in his water tubs so he can “wash” his toys, shelves, and even the walls of his nighthouse. On warm days, he’s quick to improvise a personal water feature by placing objects in his drinking fountain to create a playful, steady stream.

When he’s not busy engineering his latest creation, Radcliffe can be found exploring the climbing structures in his habitat or making his way through the aerial trailways to visit other orangutans (especially Pongo!). Whether he’s relaxing under his blanket fort, splashing in his fountain, or roaming the trailways, Radcliffe is living each day to the fullest, and we can’t wait to celebrate another wonderful year with him.

Introducing Our Fresh New Online Gift Shop

We’re excited to announce the grand re-opening of the Center for Great Apes’ revamped online gift shop!

With a clean, refreshed look and an easier-to-navigate layout, shopping to support the apes has never been more enjoyable. Whether you’re treating yourself or looking for a meaningful gift, you’ll find a wide selection of new, high-quality items that showcase your love for the apes.

Our updated collection includes:

Soft and stylish T-shirts and sweatshirts
Baseball caps and hats
Beautifully printed glassware and mugs
And much more — all featuring ape-themed designs!

Each product in our online store is made-to-order through a print-on-demand service, so these designs are exclusive to our online shop and not available in our on-site sanctuary gift shop. That means you can support the apes from anywhere and wear your support proudly!

Your purchase helps provide lifelong care, food, enrichment, and medical support for the orangutans and chimpanzees who call the Center for Great Apes home.

Thank you for supporting the sanctuary — and happy shopping!

Browse the Online Shop

Just 3 Spots Left – Let’s Sell Out for International Orangutan Day!

Join us Tuesday, August 19th, for an unforgettable International Orangutan Day at the Center for Great Apes!

This rare event offers the chance to walk through the sanctuary, visit our orangutan habitats, and hear firsthand from the caregivers who know these amazing red-haired great apes best.

Enjoy: