My Nonprofit Reviews

The first time I came to the sanctuary I watched a video of some of the apes and their stories: what happened when they got too big and strong to be used in entertainment or to be kept as private exotic pets, some were forced to live years in small roadside attractions or in small garage/basement cages. Some of the females were sent to breeder facilities and some came from research facilities.
After the video we went on grounds and were able to see the spacious enclosures and the sky chutes where these arboreal animals had passage through the trees and had planned interactions with others of their own species. Caregivers told us of the apes' diets and the enrichment activities that keep the apes engaged. At the Center for Great Apes, the orangutan and chimpanzee residents were not forced to do anything they did not want to do.
These apes that had come from entertainment or who had been raised by humans could not go to zoos or be released in the wild...Patti Ragan built the sanctuary and continues to expand and care for apes that have nowhere else to go. When I had my first visit, there were forty-eight residents. Now there are sixty-eight residents, each with their own personalities and needs. Every time I visit CGA, I am always impressed with the care and devotion that each of these residents receives. I felt a desire to be a part of this magnificent vision and became a volunteer!