Orangutans and Chimpanzees... Our Favorites!

The more the caregivers and staff work with and for the great apes who reside at the sanctuary, the more we develop favorite things about our jobs! Whether it's while working directly with the apes or sneaking away on our lunch break to stroll along the paths and visit with some of our friends.

Here are just a few of our "favorite things" about the orangutans and chimpanzees at the Center for Great Apes...

Caregivers Colten, Erin, Jenna, Jessie, Laci, Meg, and Nichole said:

-Play time (playing with them and also watching them play together) - Grooming - Painting Together - Playing Chase

Caregiver Team Members Carissa, Darlene, Hailee, Mandy, Nicole, Rhonda, and Ricca said:

-Positive Reinforcement/Husbandry Training

"I love when something difficult becomes so easy to them and they flourish in their own care" - Caregiver Carissa

"I love the one-on-one time it gives us, and the sense of accomplishment we both get when there is a breakthrough and they learn a new behavior." - Caregiver Mandy

Caregivers Cindy, Joe, and Tammy as well as Volunteer Coordinator Joy said:

-Enrichment

"I enjoy encouraging them to use their brains. I like to train, paint, and design enrichment to use all 5 of their senses." - Caregiver Tammy

"I love creating new ways to provide enrichment that allows them to try and learn new things and seeing their reactions." - Caregiver Cindy

Having the opportunity to work with great apes is a very incredible and unique job. Some of our "favorite things" about working with them are...

Caregivers Joe and Laci as well as Office Assistant Savannah all agree:

-The best thing about working with the chimpanzees and orangutans is knowing that we're making a difference in their lives and providing them the best qualify of care!

"The ability to see the positive impact we make in each of their lives every time I get to visit them is my favorite thing." - Office Assistant Savannah

Caregivers Colten, Mandy, and Tammy said:

-They love that each day is different and a new adventure!

"I love that they keep me on my toes and make me think and look at things from their perspective." - Caregiver Tammy

Caregiver Team Members Darlene, Hailee, Meg, Nichole, and Ricca all said:

-Just Observing Them - Watching Them Play (with Enrichment and Together) - Watching Their Personalities Blossom

"My favorite thing about working with the apes is seeing their personalities come out and see them be chimps & orangutans." - Caregiver Nichole

Caregiver Team Members Carissa, Cindy, Erin, Jenna, Jessie, Nicole, and Rhonda along with Volunteer Coordinator Joy said:

-They love observing the friendships and bonds they build with their own species and building relationships with them!

"The relationships with them -- learning to read and communicate with them. When they get excited to see you and yell at the top their lungs!" - Caregiver Nicole

"No matter what you're going through, what's going on in the world, you can walk in and be greeted by the apes and instantly have a smile. They help take the cares of the world away." - Caregiver Carissa

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If you would like to donate in honor of one of our dedicated and devoted staff members, please include their name in the donation notes.

Ape Care Team-

Carissa A., Tammy B., Mandy C., Ricca D., Jessie F., Nicole G.,  Daileen G., Alicia H., Alex H., Basil M., Colten M.,  Meg M., Joe M., Rhonda P., Hailee S., Erin S., Jenna S., Shannon S., Cindy T., Erika V., Laci W., Darlene W., Brea W., and Niki W. 

Administrative Team- 

Diane B., Sandy B., Joy H., Lisa W., Savannah P., Scott S., and Lauren B.

Maintenance Team-

Tony S., Teddy R., Dez H., Eddie L., and Mike T.