Even the Healthiest Diets Need a Snack Break | | |
How Enrichment Foods Help Keep Our Apes Happy, Healthy, and Engaged
At the Center for Great Apes, every day starts with a healthy foundation. Our orangutans and chimpanzees enjoy well-balanced diets filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, and starchy veggies, all carefully portioned and prepared by our dedicated Nutrition Team. These meals are designed to support their health and mimic the natural variety they would encounter in the wild. And, of course, each ape also receives specialized primate biscuits packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
But even the best diets allow for a little fun—and for our apes, that fun comes in the form of enrichment foods.
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Enrichment treats aren’t just about flavor; they serve a greater purpose. These special items are used to encourage natural foraging behavior, promote tool use, and support positive reinforcement training for routine healthcare check-ins. They help keep minds sharp and mealtimes interesting—all while adding a little extra joy to the day.
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Right now, some of our most-used enrichment foods include:
- Low- and no-sugar cereals (like Cheerios, Chex, corn flakes, puffed corn, and puffed kamut)
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Condiments like ketchup, mustard, dill relish, and BBQ sauce
While these might seem like unusual items for an ape’s pantry, they play a big role in delivering creative enrichment. A spoonful of applesauce is often used as a reward during healthcare training sessions, reinforcing voluntary behaviors that help caregivers monitor health and provide care. It’s also occasionally used in enrichment-making for added taste and texture.
Cereal can be scattered in habitats for foraging or hidden in puzzle feeders. And condiments are used sparingly as flavorful smears on or inside enrichment devices to encourage tool use and problem-solving. Sometimes they’re even added to veggies to change up the taste and create a little mealtime excitement!
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With 66 great ape residents, the numbers add up quickly! Each week, we go through about 15 boxes of cereal and 20 jars of applesauce, not to mention a steady supply of condiments. While that may sound like a lot, these items are thoughtfully portioned across the entire sanctuary, providing daily enrichment and supporting meaningful behavioral engagement.
These staple enrichment items come from a place you might recognize...your own grocery list! And thanks to our incredible supporters, many of them are donated directly through our Amazon Wish List.
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If you're looking for an easy, impactful way to help the apes, consider donating some of these items. Every box of cereal, jar of applesauce, or bottle of mustard helps us stretch our resources and keep enrichment fresh and fun for everyone.
Because at the end of the day, a little snack goes a long way toward making life sweeter for apes and humans alike.
| | Get Crafty for a Cause this Summer! | | |
This summer, we’re inviting you to be part of our Enrichment Workshops, fun, feel-good events where you’ll roll up your sleeves and help create enrichment items that keep our apes engaged, active, and mentally stimulated (in our air-conditioned classroom). From foraging puzzles to tactile toys, your handiwork will bring joy and variety to their daily lives.
But that’s not all, after the workshop, you’ll take part in an exclusive educational group tour of the sanctuary. You'll see the apes in action and learn how your contribution supports their care, comfort, and happiness.
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Beginner Enrichment Workshop
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost: $35 donation
Ages: 12 and up
In this beginner-friendly session, participants will construct paper towel tube “honeycombs” that mimic termite mounds. These clever creations offer a fun and enriching foraging activity for the apes - and they’re simple and satisfying to make. No prior experience necessary!
- Includes approximately 1 hour of enrichment building
- Group educational tour of the sanctuary afterwards
- Great for all skill levels
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Intermediate Enrichment Workshop
Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost: $35 donation
Ages: 12 and up
Build enrichment that lasts! This intermediate-level workshop focuses on creating sturdy PVC honeycomb feeders. These reusable puzzles help promote foraging behavior while being easy to clean and refill for caregivers. Some basic tool use is involved, but don’t worry, guidance is provided, and all skill levels are welcome.
- Includes approximately 1.5 hours of enrichment building
- Group educational tour of the sanctuary afterwards
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Memorial Day Weekend Is Here
As we kick off the unofficial start of summer with sunshine, barbecues, and time with loved ones, we also take a moment to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Wishing you a safe, joyful, and meaningful Memorial Day.
| | Thank you for supporting the Center for Great Apes! | | | | |
