Meet Chimpanzee Daisy

Meet Chimp Daisy: An Independent Spirit with a Quirky Charm

Daisy is a thoughtful and independent older chimpanzee with a quiet strength and unmistakable personality. Born in Africa in 1981, she was taken from the wild as an infant and brought to the United States for use in the entertainment industry. Daisy spent many years performing in circuses and later lived with a breeder before finally finding stability at the Center for Great Apes in 2004

Since her arrival, Daisy has settled into a life filled with enrichment, companionship, and comfort. She’s best known for her quirky habit of sticking small items—like twigs, celery, and even seeds—into her ears, which keeps our caregivers on their toes. Because of this unique behavior, Daisy doesn’t receive any fruits with seeds in her diet. She’s also one of our pickiest eaters and prefers a consistent, nutritious daily menu with no surprises. While she enjoys most fruits, her favorites are savory veggies like onions, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and especially corn!

Though she values her independence, Daisy has formed meaningful bonds over the years. After the passing of her longtime companion Mickey, she began spending more time with Bo, and the two now enjoy a quiet companionship.

One of Daisy’s favorite places to spend her time is in the “Chimp Express,” our aerial trailway system. She especially enjoys a shady nook near the bamboo stand, where she can sit back and observe the sanctuary in peace.

With her endearing habits, strong preferences, and independent spirit, Daisy continues to be a remarkable and much-loved member of our sanctuary family.

31 Days. 31 Overlooked Faces. One Sanctuary Full of Love.

Adopt-a-Palooza returns this July! For the entire month, we’ll be highlighting 31 of our orangutan and chimpanzee residents who need a little extra love... the ones who are often overlooked when it comes to symbolic adoptions.

It’s not because they’re any less special — far from it! But some of these amazing individuals are more private, less social, shy around the camera, or simply not as visible during member tours. As a result, they may not get noticed as often, but they hold just as much space in our hearts. With your help, they can find new adoptive parents this summer!

Every new adoption of a featured resident during Adopt-a-Palooza comes with a limited-edition, ape-painted postcard, plus the option to schedule a virtual visit ($300) or private tour ($400).

Watch for the first featured ape reveal on July 1st on our Facebook and Instagram pages, and help us make sure no one gets left in the shadows.

Learn More About Adopt-A-Palooza

Get Hands On With Enrichment

Date: Friday, July 25, 2025

Time: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Cost: $35 donation

Ages: 12 and up

Join us for a fun and rewarding intermediate-level workshop where you’ll create durable, reusable honeycomb-style PVC feeders for our great apes.

These enrichment tools encourage natural foraging behaviors and are easy for caregivers to clean and refill, making a big difference in daily ape care!

No experience necessary! We’ll guide you every step of the way.
Includes: 1.5 hours of hands-on enrichment building + a group educational tour of the sanctuary.

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait—sign up now and be part of something special for the apes!

Intermediate Workshop

A Chance to Hear from Orangutan Advocate Dr. Gary Shapiro

You're invited to hear Dr. Gary Shapiro, the co-founder and president of Orang Utan Republik Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides the Orangutan Caring Scholarship to send students in orangutan-range provinces of Indonesia to universities to get degrees in biology, forestry, and veterinary science to prepare graduates for careers in wildlife managmnt and primate welfare to help make a difference for wild orangutans and other eildlife in their home countries.

Dr. Shapiro will be speaking in Crystal Lake (near Tampa) at the home of one of his foundation's board members on Saturday, June 28, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

He will be sharing updates and stories from the field (Borneo and Sumatra) where he worked over 47 years ago, teaching sign language and rehabilitating orangutans back to the rainforests. He will also discuss his new book, Out of the Cage.

If you would like to attend and meet Dr. Shapiro, please visit the RSVP and ticket page at www.ourf.org/fundraiser.