It’s Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day

Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day

June 13th is Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day, a special day created by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) to recognize the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to care for animals in sanctuaries across the country.

Here at the Center for Great Apes, this day holds deep meaning. Our caregivers are the heart of the sanctuary, showing up every single day, rain or shine, to provide exceptional care, compassion, and enrichment for the orangutans and chimpanzees who call our sanctuary home.

From preparing meals and medications to cleaning habitats and creating enrichment, their work is physically demanding, emotionally engaging, and incredibly important. They build strong bonds with the apes, learning each individual’s personality, preferences, and needs.

To show our appreciation, we host a special luncheon party for our caregiving team, complete with delicious food, fun games, and time to relax and connect. It’s one small way we can say thank you for all they do—day in and day out—to give our apes the best lives possible.

To all our caregivers: Thank you. Your dedication and love make the sanctuary a true haven.

Honoring Our Sanctuary Dads This Fathers Day

Father’s Day is a time to recognize the strength, care, and sometimes unexpected tenderness of fatherhood—and here at the Center for Great Apes, we’re proud to celebrate the amazing ape dads who show us just how deeply that bond can run.

While parenting roles in the wild often fall to the mothers, sanctuary life has given us a unique window into how male orangutans and chimpanzees interact with their offspring and social groups. From gentle gestures to playful curiosity, these fathers remind us that care can come in many forms.

Ripley

Ripley is a distinguished chimpanzee and father to Kodua. The two once lived together here at the sanctuary, allowing us a rare glimpse of father-daughter interaction. Today, Ripley shares his habitat with Tammy, Candy, Kerry, and Mikayla. Calm, social, and confident, he continues to be a steady presence among his group.

Sinbad

Known for his expressive eyes and beautiful bangs, Sinbad is one of our elder orangutans. Though not a father to any current sanctuary residents. Sinbad spends his days with his longtime companion Connie, and the two can often be found exploring the aerial trailways or relaxing together in the shade.

Archie

Archie was a playful, sometimes goofy, yet always endearing young orangutan who became a father in 2020. When Cahaya was born, we all marveled as Archie stepped into the role of fatherhood with wonder and restraint. He’s grown up and broody now, but he’s completely enchanted with his daughter and spends time playing with her.

Bo

Our charming chimpanzee Bo is also a proud father and even a grandfather. After Bo arrived at the sanctuary, we discovered he was the biological father of our longtime resident, Brooks, and the grandfather of Bentley and Chloe, two of our younger residents. Bo never raised his offspring himself, but it’s fascinating to see the family lines here. Bo spends his days peacefully with Daisy.

Jethro

One of the sanctuary’s strong, silent types, Jethro, is a gentle orangutan with a calm demeanor. While Jethro isn’t currently raising young at the sanctuary, his presence offers peaceful companionship and a quiet strength. He and his companion, Sandra, are often seen sitting side by side, enjoying each other’s company with an unspoken understanding.

This Father’s Day, we’re celebrating all the different ways our sanctuary dads show care, interest, and connection—whether through gentle gestures, watchful eyes, or playful interactions.

Happy Father’s Day from all of us at the Center for Great Apes!

Grab Your Limited Edition Ape Tee

There’s still time to show your love for the apes! Don’t miss out on the exclusive FLOAT campaign featuring Two Species. Two Continents. One Sanctuary. One United Design. Which features both an orangutan and a chimpanzee, perfectly representing the unique individuals we care for every day.

This limited-time shirt is more than just a great look—it’s a statement of support for the 66 amazing apes who call our sanctuary home. Whether you choose a t-shirt, tank top, or hoodie, a portion of every sale between June 6th and 20th will go directly to the Center to help provide care, enrichment, and a lifetime of safety for our residents.

Check out the incredible design and order yours now: float.org/cga

Wear your support. Spread the word. Make an impact.

Calling All Chimpanzee Champions

Join us on Monday, July 14th to celebrate World Chimpanzee Day with a very special behind-the-scenes experience at the Center for Great Apes!

This exclusive event is one of the few opportunities to tour our chimpanzee area and observe some of our amazing chimpanzee residents up close, while learning from our dedicated caregivers.

What’s included:

Chimp Talk hosted by our Ape Care Supervisor of Chimpanzees
Guided chimp-focused sanctuary tour
Caregiver stories and fun facts about the chimps!
Limited-edition chimp art and CGA merch for sale
Raffle prizes include: a CGA cabin stay, a painting experience, and more!

Two time slots available:

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

$50 per person | Ages 15+ | 20 guests per group

Walking tour (~1 mile) – contact us in advance if accommodations are needed

Orangutan fans, don’t worry, your day is coming! Join us on August 19th for our International Orangutan Day tour!

ENRICHMENT WORKSHOP

Intermediate Level

Date: Friday, July 25, 2025

Time: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Cost: $35 donation

Ages: 12 and up

Intermediate Workshop

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.