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Getting To Know Them Better

Kiki was sold as an exotic pet and spent the first 20 years of her life in a garage in New Jersey. When she first arrived at the Center for Great Apes in the summer of 2006, she was extremely obese, having lived most of her life in a tiny cage that allowed her no freedom of movement or exercise. As a pet in a private home (along with her half-brother Linus and chimpanzee Mickey) she grew too large to be handled, so was moved to the basement garage for well over a decade. Besides having little opportunity for exercise, she had a diet that included many sweets and junk food. She could hardly get around and could only waddle.

Kiki first lived with Linus after she arrived at the sanctuary.  However, Linus was shy and quiet (and a little nervous around Kiki), and he often would just give her his diet… or she just took it away from him. Kiki was later introduced to 8-year-old Jam, who at that time was a young adolescent male who kept her moving and very active. Living with young Jam for a few years, Kiki lost over 100 pounds and still maintains a healthy weight today due a much-improved diet with proper nutrition, including leafy greens and her favorite, plumbago flowers and leaves.

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Birthday

06/20/1986

Interesting Facts

  • Kiki loves to build nests in her enclosure and aerial chutes using blankets, boxes, tubs and whatever other enrichment items she receives for the day.
  • Kiki enjoys music but hates loud noises and has been observed putting her fingers in her ears in noisy situations.

ADOPT AN APE

It costs over $25,000 a year to care for one of our apes. By symbolically adopting the ape of your choice for a one-time donation of $300 OR just $25 a month for one year, you are helping ensure the health, safety, and well-being of your orangutan or chimpanzee.

Can't Adopt?

In addition to cash donations, the Center for Great Apes is always in need of food, enrichment items, and supplies. We welcome gifts of all kinds.

Wishlist

Want to know what we need? We have a list of things we would like to have.

Center for Orangutan and Chimpanzee Conservation, Inc. dba Center for Great Apes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, FEID 65-0444725.

© 2020 Center for Great Apes. All Rights Reserved.

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