Geri's Projects, Companions, & Curious Neighbors | | |
This Sunday, orangutan Geri will celebrate her 37th birthday! With her energetic personality, favorite “projects,” and close relationships with her orangutan companions, there is plenty to celebrate about Geri.
Geri is usually very cooperative about moving between her nighthouse, outdoor habitat, and the sanctuary’s aerial trailways. Recently, however, caregivers noticed she was becoming a little reluctant to leave one particular outdoor space in the afternoons. Eventually, they discovered the reason: Geri had neighbors!
A family of armadillos had taken up residence behind her dome habitat, and Geri had become very interested in watching their activity. When it was time to move to another area, she sometimes preferred to stay right where she was with a good view of what the armadillos were doing.
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When she isn’t keeping tabs on the local wildlife, Geri can often be found working on one of her many “projects.” She has long enjoyed plastic sand toys, large Lego-style blocks, buckets, and laundry baskets. Rather than simply playing with these items, Geri often gathers and organizes different materials (pine needles, hay, toys, and other odds and ends) into carefully arranged collections.
Her caregivers have learned that these projects can be serious business. On one occasion, a caregiver needed to clean the aerial trailway where Geri had been working. Geri sat nearby with her arms crossed, intently watching as her carefully arranged materials were moved. According to her caregiver, she was visibly unimpressed with the disruption to her work!
Geri also shares an especially gentle relationship with Linus. The two spend much of their time together, and caregivers describe Geri as a calming presence for him. They don’t need to be interacting constantly to enjoy one another’s companionship—often, simply being nearby seems to suit them just fine. Geri also enjoys spending time near Popi at a howdy door, frequently bringing one of her projects along to work on while Popi is nearby.
| | Save the Date: Giving Day for Apes is October 6th! | | |
Early giving begins September 15 for Giving Day for Apes, the Center for Great Apes’ largest online fundraiser of the year!
We need our entire sanctuary family—annual supporters, donors, friends, and social media followers—to help make this our biggest Giving Day yet. You can participate by making a donation, sharing our fundraising page, forwarding our emails, and inviting your family and friends to join you in supporting the apes. Every gift, beginning at just $5, can make a difference.
There is more than $13,000 in prize money available for CGA to win, along with several matching grant opportunities that will make your gifts go even further.
Stay tuned to your email and our social media channels for important updates, matching-gift announcements, and ways you can help. Together, let’s make October 6 our biggest day ever for the apes!
| | Discover More Through Our 2026-2027 Educational Programs | We’ve launched our 2026–2027 educational program schedule, including the return of an old favorite, Afternoon with the Apes, and the introduction of a new opportunity created especially for returning guests and dedicated supporters: Afternoon with the Apes: CONNECTED. Our programs provide meaningful educational opportunities to learn more about great ape care, conservation, and the lifelong commitment at the heart of our mission. | |
Afternoon with the Apes offers small groups an opportunity to visit the sanctuary and see the Center’s mission in action. During this guided walking tour, guests will hear the personal stories of orangutans and chimpanzees who came to the sanctuary from entertainment, research, private ownership, and other situations. Along the way, participants will learn about individualized care and enrichment, as well as the unique habitats and aerial trailways that allow the apes to explore and choose where to spend their time.
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For those who have previously attended Afternoon with the Apes, joined us for a Member Day, or taken a private tour, CONNECTED offers a new way to return and explore further.
Each CONNECTED program will be a small-group, topic-focused educational tour examining a particular aspect of sanctuary care in greater depth. Through expanded storytelling, real-life examples, and additional insight from around the sanctuary, returning guests will learn more about the behavior, relationships, enrichment, and individualized care that shape daily life for the apes.
Our November CONNECTED program will explore the role trust plays in supporting the health and well-being of the orangutans and chimpanzees. Guests will learn how caregivers and the veterinary team work together during routine and specialized care, from daily wellness observations to voluntary husbandry training. These practices give the apes opportunities to participate in their own care, on their terms, and are made possible through patience, consistency, and strong relationships.
Registration for both programs is now open through December. All visits require advance registration, and participants must be at least 15 years old. Programs include approximately a 1/2 mile of walking on shell-rock paths and are held rain or shine.
| Whether you are preparing for your first visit or returning to deepen a connection that has already begun, we hope you’ll join us. | | Celebrating Our Ape Allies | | |
September is Sustainer Month, and we are especially grateful for our Ape Allies—the devoted friends who support the orangutans and chimpanzees month after month.
Your dependable gifts help us know what funds will be available each month, allowing us to plan ahead for nutritious food, veterinary care, enrichment, habitat maintenance, and all the little things that make each ape’s days comfortable and fulfilling. No matter the amount, your steady support makes a meaningful difference.
And there is always room for our Ape Ally family to grow! By choosing a recurring gift of any amount, you can provide reliable care throughout the year and help us continue giving every ape the individualized attention they deserve.
| | Make a Difference with Roots and Shoots | | |
Looking for a meaningful way to make a positive difference? Join the Roots & Shoots at the Center for Great Apes Chapter!
Inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall’s global Roots & Shoots program, our chapter welcomes people of all ages who care about animals, people, and the environment. New members may join at any time. While we would love to see everyone each month, there is no pressure to attend every virtual meeting—simply come when you can!
We'd love to have you join us! Whether you participate every month or whenever your schedule allows, you can be part of making a difference. Our next virtual meeting is next Monday, October 5th at 6:30 PM.
To learn more or get involved, email rootsandshoots@centerforgreatapes.org
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Be sure to keep an eye on our Upcoming Events page and follow us on social media for announcements about programs, tours, and special opportunities to visit the sanctuary. | | Thank you for supporting the Center for Great Apes! | | | | |
