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This month, we're celebrating one of the sanctuary's original residents—Pongo—as he turns 36 years old!
Pongo has been part of the Center for Great Apes family since the very beginning. Over the past three decades, he has watched the sanctuary grow from a dream into the thriving home it is today, welcoming dozens of rescued and retired orangutans and chimpanzees along the way.
Like all orangutans, Pongo has a personality all his own. He's curious, intelligent, and always seems to find creative ways to entertain himself. Whether he's carefully investigating a new enrichment item, relaxing in his favorite culvert, or finding unexpected uses for natural materials in his habitat, Pongo reminds us every day just how remarkable orangutans truly are.
In fact, earlier this year, Pongo delighted his caregivers by turning a simple piece of bark into a tool, using it like a shovel to dig into the habitat floor before filling a bucket with pine straw and dirt. Moments like these are wonderful reminders of the incredible problem-solving abilities and ingenuity that orangutans possess.
As one of our founding apes, Pongo represents the very heart of the Center for Great Apes. Thanks to the compassion of CGA supporters, he has spent more than 30 years living in a peaceful sanctuary where he can climb, explore, make choices, and simply be an orangutan.
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As July came to a close, we celebrated another successful Adopt-a-Palooza!
Thanks to your generosity, 74 new symbolic adoptions were made, with every one of our 31 featured apes welcoming at least one new adoptive parent. We also received a record 56 July renewals—a wonderful reminder of the lasting connections between our apes and their adoptive families.
Although we did not reach our goal of 150 new adoptions, every adoption makes a meaningful difference by supporting nutritious food, enrichment, veterinary care, and lifelong sanctuary.
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We hold Adopt-a-Palooza each July because summer is one of our quieter fundraising seasons, with fewer tours and special events. Your support helps ensure that the exceptional care our residents receive continues without interruption—no matter the season.
Whether you adopted, renewed, shared a story, or simply followed along, thank you for making Adopt-a-Palooza so special. We hope you enjoyed getting to know more of the remarkable orangutans and chimpanzees who call the Center home.
Until next July!
| | Every Day Is Orangutan Day at CGA | | |
On August 19, people around the world will celebrate International Orangutan Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about one of our closest relatives and the many challenges they face in the wild.
Native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, orangutans are critically endangered. Habitat loss from deforestation, illegal hunting, and the pet trade continues to threaten their survival. Every International Orangutan Day is an opportunity to learn more about these remarkable great apes and the importance of protecting the forests they call home.
At the Center for Great Apes, however, every day is Orangutan Day.
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Twenty-seven orangutans call our sanctuary home. Each day begins with preparing specialized diets, creating enrichment activities, cleaning and maintaining habitats, monitoring health, and making sure every resident has opportunities to explore, play, rest, and make choices throughout their day.
No two orangutans are alike. Some spend hours traveling along the aerial trailways. Others enjoy building elaborate nests, solving enrichment puzzles, or relaxing in a favorite hammock. Every individual has a unique personality, history, and preferences, and our dedicated caregivers work every day to provide the lifelong care they deserve.
While International Orangutan Day shines a spotlight on these incredible apes for just one day, your support helps make every day a celebration of their lives. Together, we're giving rescued and retired orangutans the opportunity to live with comfort, dignity, and the freedom to simply be orangutans.
This August 19, we invite you to celebrate with us and remember that thanks to compassionate supporters like you, every day is Orangutan Day at the Center for Great Apes.
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Growing the Next Generation of
Great Ape Advocates
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Who will care about great apes 20 years from now? At the Center for Great Apes, we believe the answer begins today. That's why we're excited about our new Roots & Shoots Chapter—a way to inspire children, teens, adults, and families to become lifelong advocates for animals, people, and the environment.
Founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, Roots & Shoots brings people of all ages together through hands-on service projects that make a real difference. Members may create enrichment for the apes, collect needed supplies, support local animal organizations, or take part in community and environmental projects.
Roots & Shoots isn't about fundraising. It's about building a community of compassionate people who care enough to take action. As members learn, serve, and work together, they also gain a deeper understanding of the Center's mission and the lifelong care our orangutans and chimpanzees receive every day.
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Roots & Shoots Completes
First Community Project
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The Roots & Shoots at the Center for Great Apes Chapter recently completed its very first community service project by collecting much-needed supplies for the Hardee County Animal Shelter, operated by the Hardee County Sheriff's Office.
Thanks to the generosity of our R&S members and supporters, the shelter received food, toys, treats, cleaning supplies, and other essential items to help care for local dogs and cats while they wait for their forever homes.
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One of the core values of Roots & Shoots is making a positive difference for animals, people, and the environment, and we're proud to partner with our local animal shelter to support animals in need right here in our community.
This is just the first of many projects our chapter hopes to complete as we
continue growing compassion and inspiring action—one project at a time.
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Join Our Roots & Shoots Chapter!
Whether you're 8 or 80, there's a place for you in the Roots & Shoots at the Center for Great Apes Chapter. Members of all ages are welcome to participate in virtual meetings, community service projects, enrichment activities, and educational opportunities throughout the year.
Our chapter meets virtually every month, making it easy for supporters near and far to get involved. To learn more or join the chapter, email rootsandshoots@centerforgreatapes.org.
Together, we can make a difference for animals, people, and the environment—one project at a time.
| | Other Ways To Help the Apes | | | | |
