In 1993 Patti Ragan founded The Center for Great Apes.

The Center is a sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees which have been used in the entertainment industry, for animal testing or have been rescued from unfit conditions.

The Center for Great Apes cares for fourteen apes.

GIRLS GONE WILD

Four Women Team Together to Save Chimpanzees and Orangutans

Miami, FL –March 2004 –   Four women have gone wild for a good cause. In response to the growing need to provide lifetime care for primates used by research facilities, zoos, private pet owners and the entertainment industry, four women have team together to protect and care for chimpanzees and orangutans. They work at The Center for Great Apes, a non-profit sanctuary which provides care for primates rescued from unfit or unhealthy situations. Trained to care for primates, these women are wild about their jobs.

“We are fortunate to have a strong, well-educated team of professionals caring for our apes. They are women who are smart, caring and passionate about protecting primates,” stated Managing Director Patti Ragan, a graduate of Florida State University and founder of the Center for Great Apes.

The four women, Ray, Tina, Kat and Joy, all joined the Center for Great Apes because “it's a top-notch organization that truly cares for the welfare of the animals,” says Tina Gilbert, a graduate of Ohio State University who joined CGA five years ago. The Center for Great Apes provides more than food and shelter. It prides itself on the nurturing, healthy environment and enrichment programs developed by the crew.

Kat Nowak, a graduate of Ball State University, implements the enrichment programs for the apes. “Apes are highly intelligent and learn quickly. Prior to coming here (CGA) most of the apes were isolated in tiny cages,” says Kat, “In those situations they are bored which leads to frustration, anger and depression. In addition to introducing the apes to companions of their own species, we are constantly providing enrichment programs from sign language lessons to interactive games. You can tell the dramatic changes in the apes from when they first arrived. They are visibly happier and healthier. Companionship and enrichment programs are critical.”

Joy Crofton of Orlando joined The Center for Great Apes as an intern and was recently hired full-time as a caregiver. “It is an amazing place to work. Not only am I helping to care for these magnificent primates, but we are making a difference. We provide education programs to increase understanding of these endangered primates, their need for conservation in the wild as well as their need for protection in captivity,” says Joy, ” The Center for Great Apes also serves as a resource center for students of primatology, anthropology, zoology, and other related subjects . There is so much we have accomplished and so much more we want to do.   We have a great crew, wonderful supporters, generous donors and tireless volunteers who help make it all happen.”

Of the fourteen primates at the sanctuary two are disabled. Mari, a 22 year old orangutan, lost both arms when her mother attacked her (when both were lab animals) and Knuckles, a three year old chimpanzee, suffers from Cerebral Palsy.   Ray Rooney, the senior caregiver at CGA, says that “both Mari and Knuckles have learned to manage their disabilities thanks to the efforts of the staff and volunteers.” Mari uses her feet, neck and chin to climb, play and eat. Knuckles, who was unable to walk when he first came to CGA, now can run, jump, climb and even feed himself. “We have a great team working with the apes and you can see the impact their efforts have every day,” continues Ray, “Our crew develops programs to ensure that the chimpanzees and orangutans are maintaining or improving their physical and mental health. It is rewarding to see the results for both the apes and the staff.”

The Center for Great Apes (www.CenterForGreatApes.org), founded in 1993, is a private, non-profit sanctuary providing care and a habitat for orangutans and chimpanzees.   Home to fourteen apes, The Center for Great Apes strives to protect and nurture disabled and neglected primates while educating the public on the issues facing these animals both in captivity and in the wild. In 2004 The Center for Great Apes strives to double its membership. To become a member and for more information visit www.CenterForGreatApes.org .