Hocus Pocus at the Sanctuary:

The Mischievous Orangutan Sisters!

Bailey

Pebbles

Keagan

Something magical (and maybe a little mischievous) seems to be brewing in the orangutan habitats this Halloween season! Our fiery orangutan sisters, Bailey, Pebbles, and Keagan have been stirring up trouble like the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus!

These three share more than just family ties—they share attitudes! Each one has that unmistakable spark of curiosity (and mischief!) that keeps our caregivers on their toes. Whether it’s Bailey fishing for objects just out of reach, Pebbles turning enrichment toys into creative “inventions,” or Keagan plotting her next move with a twinkle in her eye, there’s never a dull moment.

And lately, it seems Keagan has taken on an apprentice. Little Cahaya, our youngest orangutan, has been watching her Aunt Keagan very closely and learning all the tricks! From splashing water and spitting (with impressive accuracy!) to “redecorating” enrichment items, Cahaya is picking up every bit of her aunt’s magical mischief.

We can’t help but laugh as we watch these clever, curious girls use their creativity in such spirited ways. After all, intelligence and imagination go hand in hand for orangutans. But with this particular trio, and their new little sidekick, it’s definitely a case of double, double, toil, and trouble!

Noelle Takes the Spotlight

Celebrate beloved chimpanzee Noelle with our new limited-edition FLOAT (For Love Of All Things) apparel, featuring a bold, pop-art design inspired by her curious spirit.

From October 24th through November 3rd, FLOAT will donate a portion of proceeds from every Center for Great Apes t-shirt, tank, and hoodie sold directly back to the sanctuary, which supports the lifelong care of all our 70 orangutan and chimpanzee residents.

Explore the collection and see the design at float.org/cga.

Order now -

A Special Visit from Lee Asher of The Asher House Sanctuary

We were honored to welcome Lee Asher, founder of The Asher House Sanctuary, to the Center for Great Apes this month! Lee, along with his fiancée, Sara, and their beloved dogs, Mr. Butters and Patrick, stopped by while on his speaking tour of Florida. (While animals from outside the sanctuary are not permitted on the ape grounds, rest assured that Butters and Patrick were perfectly content spending time in our office with staff during the visit!)

Lee shared an inspiring talk with our team about his journey building The Asher House, how it began, how it’s grown, and what it takes to run a sanctuary home to hundreds of dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and farm animals. His passion and authenticity resonated deeply with everyone here, as we share a kindred mission of providing lifelong care and compassion to animals in need.

We were amazed to discover just how remarkably similar running a sanctuary for dogs and one for great apes can be! From staffing and volunteers to fundraising, growth, and daily operations, we found that we face many of the same challenges and share many of the same triumphs along the way.

We toured the sanctuary so Lee could meet some of our chimpanzee and orangutan residents, watch a bit of husbandry training, and spend time with our Founding Director’s dogs. We also enjoyed snapping a few fun photos with Lee, Sara, and the team to remember this special day.

We are so grateful that Lee took time out of his busy schedule to visit the Center for Great Apes. His energy and dedication to animal welfare continue to inspire us—and we look forward to staying connected with our friends at The Asher House Sanctuary!

Join Us This Saturday at the Sebring Arts & Crafts Festival!

We’re excited to share that the Center for Great Apes will be part of the 58th Annual Sebring Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the Circle in Historic Downtown Sebring!

Stop by our booth to explore a one-of-a-kind collection of art created by the orangutans and chimpanzees at the Center for Great Apes! Each colorful masterpiece is painted by our most creative residents.

2026 CGA Calendar Now Available!

Our 2026 Center for Great Apes calendar is here—13 months of colorful, heartwarming photos featuring our orangutan and chimpanzee residents!

Each month captures their unique personalities, and every purchase supports their lifelong care.



Calendars are $15 plus $5 shipping—order yours today and enjoy a year of smiles from our amazing apes!

Employment Opportunities

We are seeking passionate individuals who share our commitment to the well-being of these remarkable great apes. We are currently seeking:

• Caregiver Assistant
• Volunteer Coordinator

If you possess the skills and experience we are looking for (or know someone who does), we encourage you to apply today! You can visit our employment page on the website for more details on these positions and the application process.

Other Ways To Help

Thank you for supporting the Center for Great Apes!