Louie's Tangerine Tactics

Our aerial trailway system at the Center for Great Apes gives the orangutans and chimpanzees the choice to travel between different habitats, explore new areas, and see old friends along the way. These elevated trailways provide incredible enrichment while offering new sights, smells, and even reunions with familiar faces.

Recently, orangutan Louie took full advantage of this opportunity for adventure when he spent some time exploring the trailway over the creek. There, he caught sight of an old pal, BamBam, who was watching from a nearby habitat. The two go way back. As young juveniles, Louie and BamBam once lived together… and were quite the mischievous pair!

It seems some habits never fade. Earlier this week, Louie found a long piece of bamboo and, with classic orangutan ingenuity, carefully maneuvered it toward the tangerine tree that grows along the trailway. The tangerines weren’t fully ripe yet, but that didn’t stop Louie from fishing out a few and enjoying a tangy snack.

Meanwhile, BamBam, who usually has access to that same trailway, was not pleased to see Louie helping himself to the tangerines before they were ripe. He made his opinion loud and clear by sending a chorus of raspberry noises and kissing sounds to his caregivers, as if reminding them that he had been waiting to enjoy those tangerines at just the right time. Louie paused mid-snack and glanced back toward BamBam, his expression making it easy to imagine the two picking up right where their youthful antics left off.



Moments like these remind us how important our two+ miles of aerial trailways are for both physical and mental stimulation. They allow the apes to explore, problem-solve, and reconnect, sometimes even with a bit of playful competition thrown in.

Join Us This Season for Tours, Programs, and Events

As the weather cools and winter residents return to Florida, we’re excited to welcome back our members and supporters for another meaningful season at the Center for Great Apes.

Our calendar has opportunities to experience the sanctuary in person through special tours, educational programs, and member events. We’ve added all upcoming dates to our website so you can plan your visit in advance.

Because the Center is a private, non-public sanctuary, the best way to visit and see the apes is by registering for one of our programs or becoming a member. Each visit offers a rare opportunity to see our mission in action, learn about the individual orangutans and chimpanzees who call CGA home, and discover how your support helps provide lifelong care for these remarkable beings.

You’ll find details on our Upcoming Events page and our Plan Your Visit page. Once registration opens for each program, links will be available directly on those pages to make it easy to reserve your spot.

Please note that each program and tour has limited availability, and dates often fill quickly—so plan ahead and register early to guarantee your place.



We look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new friends this season at the sanctuary!

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
• Nutrition Center Assistant
• Great Ape Caregiver

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!