Bid for Their Future: Online Auction | | |
There's still time to bid for the apes!
Our online auction, Bid for Their Future: A Wildly Important June, is in full swing, and we have over 90 incredible items available—including some that haven't received a bid yet. That means there are still plenty of opportunities to find a great deal while making a meaningful difference for the orangutans and chimpanzees at the sanctuary.
We've also added several new items throughout the week, so even if you've already browsed the auction, it's worth taking another look. From ape artwork and fine art to unique gifts, experiences, and collectibles, there's something for everyone.
But don't wait too long! The auction closes Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM EST, and once bidding ends, these items will be gone.
Every bid helps provide nutritious meals, enrichment, veterinary care, and lifelong sanctuary for the apes in our care. Visit the auction, place a bid, and help build a brighter future for the apes today.
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"Whatever Happens" by Chimpanzee Bubbles
Bold, energetic, and full of movement, Whatever Happens is an original 16" x 20" abstract painting created by Bubbles. This striking canvas features sweeping strokes of bright yellow, deep lavender, and vivid reds and blues layered across the surface in a dynamic display of color and expression.
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Four Night Stay at Overlook Manor in the Pocono Mountains
The four-level 4,000 square foot cottage sleeps up to eleven guests and has six bedrooms, three bathrooms, an office, chef's kitchen with breakfast nook, formal dining room that seats 10, three balconies and an expansive outdoor deck with what is rumored to be the best 50 mile unobstructed view of the lower Pocono mountains.
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"Birds of Paradise" by Chimpanzee Bubbles
Bring a splash of tropical color into your home with Birds of Paradise, a one-of-a-kind original painting created by Bubbles.
Measuring 16" x 20", this vibrant artwork features striking hues of turquoise, orange, and pink that blend together in a lively and expressive composition. Evoking the beauty of exotic flowers, tropical sunsets, and the joyful energy of nature itself.
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CGA T-Shirt Quilt
This stunning handmade t-shirt quilt, measuring 50"x37", is a beautiful masterpiece of love and dedication, thoughtfully crafted by Linda Ross and Marsha Martin. Woven together from a collection of vibrant Center for Great Apes sanctuary shirts, each stitched panel tells a story of survival, sanctuary, and celebration.
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Pointillism Portrait of Orangutan Bailey
This magnificent pointillism portrait titled "Bailey" is a stunning masterpiece by artist John Darovitz, meticulously handcrafted using thousands of precisely placed map pins. Capturing the incredibly soulful eyes and wise expression of Bailey, this vibrant, multi-dimensional artwork beautifully blends meticulous texture with brilliant color composition.
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Hand-painted T-Shirt Featuring Chimp Bo
Celebrate the one and only Bo with this unique hand-painted T-shirt (size XL) created by talented artist Phil Herman.
This one-of-a-kind wearable artwork features a lively, colorful portrait of Bo the chimpanzee, capturing his playful spirit and beloved personality.
Hand-painted directly onto the shirt, this piece is not just clothing — it’s a work of art!
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"Held in Love" Painting
"Held in Love" is a deeply moving 12"x12' matted painting that beautifully captures the soulful essence and familial bonds of the orangutan resident family at the Center for Great Apes, Archie, Sunshine & Cahaya. The artwork painted by Lisa Griesen, radiates a profound sense of warmth and security, using rich, textured brushstrokes to bring out the expressive, intelligent eyes and iconic, rust-colored coats of these magnificent great apes.
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"Sandra" Oil Painting
This 8"x10" oil painting by artist Audrey Mason, honors Sandra, the remarkable female orangutan whose gentle gaze carries the legacy of a global milestone in animal rights. Rendered in rich, soulful oils, the portrait captures Sandra’s serene dignity, with a delicate tropical flower tucked tenderly behind her ear as a symbol of the peaceful life she now enjoys.
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Hand-thrown and Painted Ceramic Mug
This whimsical, hand-painted ceramic mug (by Karen Washburn) captures a delightful and unique story of cross-species companionship. Gracing its curved surface is a meticulously detailed portrait of a Guinean Baboon, its expressive, intelligent eyes and rich, textured hair rendered with fine, affectionate brushstrokes.
| | Preparing for Hurricane Season | | |
June marks the beginning of hurricane season in Florida, and at the Center for Great Apes, that means months of preparation are already underway.
While we always hope for a quiet season, experience has taught us that the best time to prepare is long before a storm appears on the weather map. Over the years, the sanctuary has successfully weathered numerous tropical storms and hurricanes, thanks to careful planning, dedicated staff, and the support of people like you.
Preparing for hurricane season involves much more than stocking supplies. Throughout the summer and fall, our team closely monitors weather forecasts, inspects buildings and habitat structures, trims trees and vegetation, secures outdoor equipment, tests generators, and reviews emergency procedures. Every department plays a role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the 70 orangutans and chimpanzees who call the sanctuary home.
The apes themselves remain our top priority. Our team develops plans to ensure each resident continues to receive proper nutrition, medications, enrichment, and daily care, even if severe weather affects power, transportation, or access to resources. Backup systems are maintained and tested, and staff members are prepared to remain on-site if conditions require it.
Living in a rural area presents unique challenges during hurricane season. Once a storm is forecasted to impact Florida, supplies can quickly become difficult to obtain. Store shelves are empty, delivery services may be delayed, and road conditions can make travel challenging. That's why we work throughout the summer to build and maintain an inventory of essential supplies before they are needed.
Some of the items we keep on hand include batteries, camping fans, moisture absorbers, heavy-duty trash bags, work gloves, cleaning supplies, pruning tools, cordless blowers, paper products, and other emergency preparedness materials. These everyday items become incredibly important during and after a storm, helping staff maintain safe, clean, and comfortable conditions for both the apes and the people caring for them.
The support of our community helps make that preparation possible. Whether through donations, wishlist purchases, or simply helping spread awareness about hurricane preparedness, every act of support strengthens our ability to provide uninterrupted care for the orangutans and chimpanzees who depend on us every day.
| | Daisy Takes Enrichment to New Heights | | |
Chimpanzee Daisy loves her giant plastic square enrichment device... and apparently considers it personal property.
When her caregivers recently filled the square with special treats like dried fruit and cereal, Daisy wasted no time claiming it as her own. Determined not to share with her companion, Bo, she picked up the large enrichment device and carried it all the way up the ladder to the 40-foot cupola. Along the way, treats rained down behind her with every step, but that didn't slow her down one bit!
Enrichment is an important part of daily life at the sanctuary. It encourages the chimpanzees and orangutans to think, problem-solve, explore, and stay physically active. Just like people, apes benefit from activities that challenge their minds and keep them engaged throughout the day.
The small holes in Daisy's enrichment device require her to "fish" for hidden treats, turning snack time into a fun puzzle. It encourages patience, dexterity, and natural foraging behaviors while providing mental stimulation and entertainment.
And once all the treats are gone? Daisy has found another use for it. She often flips the enrichment device over and uses it as a seat while she relaxes and surveys her surroundings from above.
A snack dispenser, puzzle, climbing companion, and chair all in one? That's Daisy-approved enrichment at its finest!
| Thank You for Supporting $5 Fridays | | |
What an incredible response! Thanks to the generosity of more than 250 supporters, our recent $5 Fridays Enrichment Drive raised an amazing $9,700 to help provide enrichment for the orangutans and chimpanzees who call the Center for Great Apes home.
Because of your support, we were able to purchase 30 hammocks, 9 drum fans and accessories, 15 rolls of butcher paper, 4 professional knives for our nutrition center team, and a variety of browse plants to keep the apes engaged, comfortable, and active throughout the year.
Enrichment plays a vital role in the physical and emotional well-being of the apes. From relaxing in a new hammock to exploring a fresh roll of butcher paper or enjoying natural browse, these items encourage natural behaviors, provide mental stimulation, and help make every day more interesting.
Every gift, no matter the size, helped make this campaign a success. Thank you for helping us provide the highest level of care and enrichment for the remarkable chimpanzees and orangutans in our sanctuary family.
We couldn't do it without you!
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Day Sponsorships Filled for the Year
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, all of the Day Sponsorship opportunities for our chimpanzees and orangutans have been filled for the entire calendar year.
If you weren’t able to secure a day this year, don’t worry—more opportunities are on the horizon. Stay tuned for new and creative ways to support your favorite ape and the families they live with here at the sanctuary.
| | Other Ways To Help the Apes | | | | |
