Cikananga Wildlife Center

HELP US RAISE FUNDS DURING THIS YEARS 
GIVING DAY FOR APES 
Tuesday, October 7th

A Gibbons Journey... 

At Cikananga Wildlife Center, we give rescued animals a second chance at life. Many of them arrive after suffering from the illegal wildlife trade or years of being kept as pets, often carrying both physical and emotional trauma. With the help of our dedicated team, we strive every day to provide proper rehabilitation, specialized care, and a safe place to call home. CWC is a non-profit and non-governmental organization which was established in 2001. 

As one of the few multi-species rescue centers in Indonesia, CWC has the unique ability to receive a wide variety of animals. This diversity is one of our great strengths and makes us unique, but it also means we face daily challenges: each species has its own needs, from diets to medical care to specialized enclosures. Our staff must therefore carry broad expertise while working under the constant pressure of limited financial resources.

On October 7th, 2025, the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) will host the 12th annual Giving Day for Apes — a 24-hour international fundraising event that unites sanctuaries and rescue centers from North America, Africa, and Asia.

We are proud to share that Cikananga Wildlife Center and Wanicare Foundation have been invited to take part in this year’s event. This is a wonderful opportunity for our supporters to stand with us and help provide a brighter future for apes who have been deeply affected by the illegal wildlife trade.

The Wanicare Foundation is a non-governmental and non-profit organization established in 2009. Since its founding, Wanicare has been supporting CWC by providing on-the-ground assistance with operations and financial support.

For 2025, we will focus on two of our most urgent needs:

New Primate Enclosures In Our Quarantine Building
& A Sanctuary Enclosure for Gibbons

(Read more about the project in the next tab!)
Giving Day for Apes not only enables us to receive direct support from our supporters, but it also helps us raise awareness about the harsh realities that these animals face by sharing the stories of our beloved Gibbons. 
This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of The Arcus Foundation, The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and Mighty Cause, so we want to extend a huge thank you to them!

You can help us improve the lives of these animals by amplifying our fundraising efforts! Simply share our posts and stories online or with your friends and family. Even a small gesture can have a big impact. Stay tuned over the next few days for more detais on how your donations can make an even greater difference!

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Meet Timothy: A Siamang Learning to Trust Again 

Timothy is a male Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) who spent 
more than ten years living as a pet. Very little is known about his early life or background, but the impact of his years in a household is painfully clear.

When Timothy first arrived at the center, he was placed in quarantine for around 60 days. Almost immediately, it became evident how much he was struggling. Anxious and frustrated, Timothy often resorted to self-harm – biting his own knees so severely that he would sometimes leave open wounds.

To help ease his distress, our team tried medication and extra human attention, but these efforts brought little improvement. Hoping that more space and natural surroundings might calm him, we moved Timothy into a larger outdoor enclosure which we converted into a temporary quarantine area. Unfortunately, his struggles continued. Timothy reacted strongly to the presence of people, especially 
women, and his self-harm intensified whenever he heard or saw them.

Since a quiet environment was not helping, we decided to try something unexpected. After completing quarantine, Timothy was relocated to the main primate block – a busier area, home to other primates and with more human activity. Surprisingly, this change had a positive effect. Progress is slow, but each small step marks an important part of his recovery.

To give him the best chance, only one dedicated keeper now cares for him. This keeper is building trust with Timothy through positive reinforcement and gentle training, helping him gain confidence, feel more in control of his environment, and gradually begin to heal.

Timothy’s story is a powerful reminder of why rescue and long-term care matter. 
Years of captivity left deep scars, but with patience, compassion and the right environment, 
even the most traumatized animals can begin to heal.

Would you like to help us provide a better life for the animals in our care? 

Any form of assistance is greatly appreciated and can make a big difference. You can help by donating during Giving Day for Apes (GDFA), adopting an animal, volunteering, or offering other forms of support. 

For more information, please visit our website: www.cikanangawildlifecenter.com.

On behalf of the animals and our entire team, 
thank you for your support!