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This Valentine’s Day, we are celebrating a truly extraordinary milestone — Sandra’s 40th birthday! Sandra is not only one of our beloved orangutan residents at the Center for Great Apes, but also a global icon whose story helped change how the world views great apes.
Born in 1986 in Germany, Sandra was sent to Argentina in 1994, where she spent many years at the Buenos Aires Zoo. After a long period of living alone in the inner city zoo, Sandra’s situation became the focus of a landmark legal case that would forever change her future.
In 2015, Sandra became the first orangutan in the world to be legally recognized as a non-human person in Argentina. The court affirmed that she is a sentient being with the right to be respected and ruled that she could no longer remain on exhibit in a zoo. The case made international headlines and helped spark global conversations about animal welfare and the rights of great apes.
After years of international permits and planning, Sandra finally arrived at the Center for Great Apes in November 2019. Since then, her life has changed. Today, Sandra has choice, space, enrichment, and the opportunity to form meaningful relationships.
One of the most beautiful parts of Sandra’s sanctuary story is her relationship with our male orangutan, Jethro. After careful introductions, Sandra and Jethro formed a close bond, and today, Sandra often chooses to be near her handsome companion — nesting, relaxing, and even watching TV together inside their nighthouse. After spending so many years alone, seeing Sandra thrive in a loving relationship is a powerful reminder of what sanctuary can provide.
Sandra’s personality truly shines at the Center. She is a creative nest builder who loves anything that adds to her big, beautiful nests — including boxes, textiles, toys, and even banana leaves and grape vines. She’s also known for her playful and goofy moments, from wearing baskets as hats to carefully “washing” and hanging up her blankets to dry. Add in her love for lemons and limes in her water and dried fruit, especially Craisins, and it’s easy to see how Sandra is embracing life to the fullest.
As Sandra turns 40, we’re not just celebrating a birthday; we’re celebrating a life transformed. From a history-making court case to a life filled with love, enrichment, and companionship, Sandra’s journey is a powerful example of why sanctuary matters.
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