Eight years ago I came across the Center for Great Apes website on my computer. I was immediately attracted to a photo of a chimpanzee walking through an aerial trail way surrounded by what looked like a tropical rain forest. When I watched the introductory video I learned that the "rain forest" is actually located in Wauchula, Florida and is a sanctuary for chimpanzees and orangutans that have been rescued from the exotic pet trade, the entertainment industry and laboratory experiments. While looking at the photos of the apes enjoying themselves in their different huge habitats it was hard to believe that they had endured so much suffering. But then I read their histories and I was shocked and very upset to learn about what they had been through. For example the victims of the exotic pet trade wound up being kept in tiny cages in garages or back yards by themselves for decades!After becoming a member and visiting the Center I saw for myself how well all the apes are cared for in every way. They are loved and RESPECTED by everyone who works there. And meeting Patti Ragan, the founder of this exceptional sanctuary and Clyde, a wonderful chimpanzee, was one of the best experiences of my life. They both made me feel so welcome and good about being a member of the Center for Great Apes family of apes and humans.
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- EIN 65-0444725
- info@centerforgreatapes.org
- 863-767-8903
- PO Box 488 Wauchula FL 33873 USA
- www.centerforgreatapes.org
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Eight years ago I came across the Center for Great Apes website on my computer. I was immediately attracted to a photo of a chimpanzee walking through an aerial trail way surrounded by what looked like a tropical rain forest. When I watched the introductory video I learned
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Animal Protection & Welfare, Animals, Protection of Endangered Species, Wildlife Sanctuaries
Mission: The Center for Great Apes’ mission is to provide a permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees who have been rescued or retired from the entertainment industry, from research, or from the exotic pet trade. The Center provides care with dignity in a safe, healthy, and enriching environment for great apes in need of lifetime care. Apes can live to the age of approximately 60 years in captivity.
Results: Our single greatest accomplishment to date was in getting the largest supplier of great apes in entertainment to agree to discontinue the use of great apes in movies, television, and advertising, sending his 22 orangutans and chimpanzees to our sanctuary to live out their lives. Successfully advocated to stop the use of orangutans in Robitussin advertising -- the company did a beautiful job of replacing the juvenile performing orangutan in their TV ad with a computer-generated image.
Target demographics: Apes in entertainment, research labs or in the pet industry in need of permanent sanctuary, either due to retirement or due to the danger they represent to their communities.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 66 27 orangutans and 39 chimpanzees. The Center for Great Apes has the largest population of adult orangutans in North America.
Geographic areas served: We receive apes from all over the United States.
Programs: Great Ape Rescue Fund provides funds necessary to rescue and care for orangutans and chimpanzees in dire need of permanent sanctuary. Great Ape Veterinary Fund helps to fund veterinary service for the 52 great apes in our care. Power to the Primates Fund helps to fund the increasingly high cost of electricity to heat the ape nighthouses during the last two winters of record-breaking cold and running fans during the excessively hot Florida summers experienced lately. Education and Advocacy programs reach out to inform the general public about the plight of captive great apes and great apes in the wild. Advocacy Program promotes advocacy for the ban on the use of apes in biomedical testing and in entertainment.