Perfectly Themselves

One of the greatest joys of Adopt-a-Palooza is discovering just how different every resident at the Center for Great Apes truly is.

Over the past two weeks, you've met playful personalities, meticulous nest builders, devoted friends, and expert snack lovers. This week, we're introducing two more residents who have something in common: they know exactly what they like.

Chimpanzee Mikayla has never been one to follow the crowd. Independent and self-assured, she's perfectly content doing things her own way. Whether the Florida weather is hot, cool, or rainy, there's one thing she'll almost always request from her caregivers... her fan. It's one of her favorite comforts, and Mikayla isn't afraid to let everyone know it.

Orangutan Pongo shares that same confidence in his preferences. He loves relaxing inside his culvert, in front of his fan, wrapped up in paper, content to watch the world around him. Gentle and easygoing, Pongo finds joy in life's simple pleasures, from a favorite toy to a special treat—and if he thinks there's more dried fruit available, he'll politely let his caregivers know he'd like the whole container, not just one piece.



That's one of the beautiful things about sanctuary life. Every orangutan and chimpanzee is encouraged to make choices, express preferences, and simply be themselves. Whether it's where they spend the afternoon, how they build a nest, or yes... whether they'd like the fan turned on, every individual has their own unique way of navigating the day.

As Adopt-a-Palooza continues for 31 of our 70 resident apes, we're working toward our goal of welcoming 150 new adoptive parents by the end of July. Every new symbolic adoption (no matter which resident you choose to support) helps provide the individualized care, enrichment, nutritious diets, and lifelong sanctuary our apes deserve.

Be sure to visit our Adopt-a-Palooza webpage throughout the month to follow our progress, see how many new adoptive parents each of our 31 featured residents has welcomed, and watch us move closer to our goal.

With three weeks still to go, there's plenty of time to discover the ape whose story speaks to you.

Volunteers Make the World Go Round

Behind every orangutan and chimpanzee enjoying a safe, enriching life at the Center for Great Apes is an incredible team of volunteers who generously share their time, talents, and compassion.

Volunteers play an important role in helping our sanctuary operate each day. Whether they're creating enrichment, assisting with maintenance projects, helping in the office, working at special events and outreach, caring for our grounds, or lending their professional skills, their contributions allow our staff to focus even more time on providing exceptional care for the apes.

The impact of their dedication is truly remarkable. During the first quarter of the year, 65 volunteers donated more than 2,561 hours of service, representing an estimated value of $64,025 to the sanctuary! Those numbers tell an impressive story, but they don't fully capture the kindness, enthusiasm, and commitment our volunteers bring each time they arrive.

Every hour donated helps stretch our resources further, allowing more of every donated dollar to go directly toward the lifelong care of the orangutans and chimpanzees who call the Center home.

If you've been looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, we'd love to welcome you to our volunteer family. Whether you can help regularly or just a few times throughout the year, there are opportunities for a variety of interests and abilities. Every helping hand makes a lasting impact.

To learn more about volunteering at the Center for Great Apes, visit our website or contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@centerforgreatapes.org. Together, we can continue to provide the exceptional care and enrich the lives of our apes that they deserve.

Make a Difference with Roots and Shoots

Want to be part of something that makes a real impact? The Center for Great Apes Roots & Shoots Chapter welcomes people of all ages who are passionate about helping animals, supporting their community, and caring for the environment. As part of the worldwide program created by Jane Goodall, our chapter offers fun, hands-on opportunities to turn compassion into action. Whether you're joining on your own, with your family, or with a group of friends, there's a place for you as we work together to make our community a little better.



To learn more or get involved, email rootsandshoots@centerforgreatapes.org

During the summer months, the sanctuary will be taking a short seasonal break from tours and special events. Our educational tours and events will resume in the fall when cooler temperatures make visits more comfortable for both our guests and the apes. Be sure to keep an eye on our Upcoming Events page and follow us on social media for announcements about new programs, tours, and special opportunities later this year.

Other Ways To Help

Thank you for supporting the Center for Great Apes!