Center For Great Apes

Since opening our gates in 1993, the Center for Great Apes has been the only accredited sanctuary in North America dedicated to providing lifelong care for orangutans as well as chimpanzees. Over 150 acres in the heart of south-central Florida now serve as home to 66 great apes rescued or retired from the entertainment industry, the exotic pet trade, and biomedical research. We receive no government funding and are supported by donations from generous people like you who care about the future of our orangutans and chimpanzees.

Our orangutans hold a special place in this mission. As the only sanctuary in the country where they can find refuge, every individual who arrives here represents a unique story of survival, resilience, and hope. From elder Popi, who at 54 still delights in water play, to young Cahaya (age 5), born here after her mother’s retirement, our orangutans remind us daily of the intelligence, curiosity, and emotional depth of their species.

MEET CGA'S 27 ORANGUTAN RESIDENTS

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But our story would not be complete without our chimpanzees. With strong family bonds and lively personalities, they form deep connections with one another and with us. Marco, at 65 years old, is now one of the oldest chimpanzees in sanctuary care anywhere in the world. His gentle presence is a living reminder of the decades of history these apes carry, and of the responsibility we hold to honor them with safety and dignity for the rest of their lives.

Every ape who comes to the Center—whether orangutan or chimpanzee—arrives with a past shaped by human hands. Some were raised as pets, others trained for performance, and many endured years in laboratories. Each one requires patience, trust, and individualized care to help them rediscover what it means to live like an ape: to climb, to play, to nest, and to simply belong.

MEET CGA'S 39 CHIMPANZEE RESIDENTS

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And our story is still unfolding. New apes are waiting, apes who have yet to be introduced but who will soon call this sanctuary their forever home. Each expansion, each habitat built, and each act of support makes their rescue possible.

On Giving Day for Apes, your donation is more than a gift—it is a lifeline. 
It is a chance to ensure that orangutans and chimpanzees who have nowhere else to turn will always have a safe place here at 
the Center for Great Apes.

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CHOOSE YOUR SUPPORT

DONATE $5 A handful of popcorn  for a movie-night snack	DONATE $10 Nesting blankets  for a cozy nap	DONATE $25 A basket of sweet fruits  for a feast	DONATE $50 Browse and branches  for nesting & play
DONATE $75 Special treats to brighten  a senior’s day	DONATE $100 Cool enrichment during  hot Florida days	DONATE $250 Trailway TLC for  daily adventures	DONATE $500 Expansion and Maintenance of Resident's Habitats