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A quiet and misty forest setting.

GREAT APES

Four Species. One Family.

OUR WILD RELATIVES

The Great Apes, ranging across the forests of Africa and Southeast Asia, are a small group of remarkably intelligent species that include gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans. Humans also belong to the family, Hominidae, sharing deep evolutionary roots and behaviors that echo across forests and continents.

Each species carries its own story, yet all share traits that define the great apes: high intelligence, emotional depth, long childhoods, the use of tools, opposable thumbs and grasping toes, and the ability to pass knowledge and culture between generations.

Together, they represent some of the most complex and expressive life on Earth.

A young chimpanzee plays in the trees while more toddler chimpanzees are playing in the background.

CHIMPANZEE

Species: Pan troglodytes
Subspecies: Central, Eastern, Western, Nigeria-Cameroon
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED
Chimpanzee range map of central Africa

Chimpanzees are among the most intelligent and socially complex animals on Earth. Found across the forests and woodlands of West and Central Africa, they live in dynamic communities, form alliances, use tools with remarkable sophistication, and display a wide emotional range. Their behavior offers a window into our own evolutionary past, revealing both cooperation and conflict, creativity and culture.

QUICK FACTS
A male silverback gorilla roams the forest.

GORILLA

Species: Western gorilla; Eastern gorilla
Subspecies: western lowland, Cross River (Western); mountain, Grauer's (Eastern)
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Geographic range map showing gorilla habitat in central Africa

Gorillas are the largest of the great apes and among the most gentle, socially expressive animals in the world. Found throughout the lowland rainforests and mountain forests of Central Africa, they live in close-knit family groups led by a dominant silverback male. Despite their immense strength, gorillas are peaceful, plant-focused foragers whose daily lives revolve around family bonds, quiet communication, and the rhythms of the forest. Their behavior—calm, cooperative, and deeply relational—reveals a side of great apes often overshadowed by myths of aggression. Instead, gorillas embody patience, emotional depth, and remarkable parental care.

QUICK FACTS
An infant orangutan is embraced by their mother while sitting in a lush, green forest.

ORANGUTAN

Species: Pongo spp.
Subspecies: Bornean, Sumatran, Tapanuli
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Range map of Orangutan habitat in Borneo and Sumatra

Orangutans are the great apes of Southeast Asia’s rainforests, known for their striking red hair, deep intelligence, and solitary grace. Living high in the canopies of forests in Borneo and Sumatra, they spend most of their lives among the trees—moving thoughtfully through the branches, building fresh nests each night, and foraging for fruit, bark, and leaves. Their slow, deliberate movements reflect a life adapted to the forest, where strength, gentleness, and careful problem-solving guide their daily survival. More than any other great ape, orangutans embody patience, introspection, and a profound connection to their forest homes.

QUICK FACTS
An infant bonobo is embraced by their mother while sitting in the forest and other bonobos groom each other in the background.

BONOBO

Species: Pan paniscus
Subspecies: None (monotypic species)
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED
Geographic range map showing the bonobo habitat in central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Bonobos are the most peaceful and socially attuned of the great apes, living in the dense rainforests south of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Known for their expressive eyes, graceful movement, and strong emotional bonds, bonobos form societies built on cooperation, play, and compassion. Their communities are led by females, shaped by close friendships, and maintained through constant social grooming and shared food. Thoughtful, curious, and deeply communicative, bonobos offer a glimpse into an alternative path of primate evolution—one rooted in empathy, conflict avoidance, and connection.

QUICK FACTS
A group of chimpanzees sit and socialize while grooming each other.

PLIGHT of the GREAT APES

All Great Apes are endangered, some even critically endangered, due to habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal pet trade.

Great Apes were also once used in biomedical research. Thankfully, in 2015, legislation was finally passed to end and illegalize invasive biomedical testing on Great Apes. Since then, sanctuaries have been making efforts to rehome remaining individuals to their facilities where they can live out their lives in peace.

While television and film production once used real great apes and primates in their projects, it is now considered largely unethical and most productions rely on Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI).

Sanctuaries rescue great apes from many different circumstances, including the illegal pet trade, entertainment industry and biomedical research programs. Zoos provide education, conservation breeding, and can also rescue apes in need. The threats are serious, but there is hope.

A misty and dark forest setting.

SANCTUARIES

These sanctuaries in North America, and many more throughout Africa and Asia, provide a safe home for great apes.

These institutions provide excellent care by an incredible and dedicated staff to ensure their resident apes live their new lives in peace. Please view their websites for opportunities to donate, volunteer, and purchase merchandise from their shops.

Ape Initiative

Des Moines, IA

The only bonobo dedicated sanctuary in the world.

Fauna Foundation

Carignan, Quebec, Canada

Chimpanzees used in biomedical research.

Project Chimps

Morganton, Tennessee

Chimpanzees used in biomedical research

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Cle Elum, Washington

Chimpanzees from biomedical research, illegal pet trade and entertainment industry.

Save the Chimps

Fort Pierce, Florida

Chimpanzees from biomedical research, illegal pet trade and entertainment industry

Chimp Haven

Keithville, Louisiana

Currently the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary, home to almost 300 chimpanzees rescued from biomedical research.

Center for Great Apes

Wauchula, Florida

Chimpanzees and Orangutans rescued from the entertainment industry, research, and illegal pet trade.

ZOOS

These zoos are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a nonprofit organization that endorses institutions that provide the highest standards in animal care and welfare. Additionally, they dedicate annual financial support to research, conservation and education programs.

The AZA also cooperatively manages Species Survival Plans (SSP) within AZA accredited zoos and aquariums to ensure healthy, genetically diverse populations.

There are over fifty zoos throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and South Korea that house orangutans. Please view the map and list here:

ORANGUTAN ZOOS

Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield, Illinois

Gorillas

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland, Ohio

Gorillas

Louisville Zoo

Louisville, Kentucky

Gorillas

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, Tennessee

Gorillas

Bronx Zoo

Bronx, New York

Gorillas

Toledo Zoo

Toledo, Ohio

Gorillas

North Carolina Zoo

Asheboro, North Carolina

Chimpanzees, Gorillas

Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia

Chimpanzees, Gorillas

Zoo Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee

Chimpanzees, Gorillas

Chattanooga Zoo

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chimpanzees

Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago, Illinois

Chimpanzees

Indianapolis Zoo

Indianapolis, Indiana

Chimpanzees

St. Louis Zoo

St. Louis, Missouri

Chimpanzees

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bonobos

San Diego Zoo

San Diego, California

Bonobos

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Jacksonville, Florida

Bonobos

Fort Worth Zoo

Fort Worth, Texas

Bonobos

Columbus Zoo

Columbus, Ohio

Bonobos, Gorillas

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Cincinnati, Ohio

Chimpanzees, Bonobos

Overlooking a misty forest canopy

WATCH

Learn more about the great apes through these documentary series and films.

Our Planet

Netflix

This documentary series takes us on a journey through all of our natural environments and how climate change is affecting all wild creatures.

Planet Earth

HBO

David Attenborough narrates this stunning series as we learn about the entire planet and its magnificent variety of environments. Great Apes are featured in seasons 1 and 2.

Walking with Great Apes

YouTube

Biologist Holly Carroll travels to Africa and Indonesia to research the Great Apes in this six-part series.

Born to be Wild

Apple TV

Follows six endangered baby animals and the journey to return them to their native habitats after a time in the human world.

Chimp Crazy

HBO

An example of why primates should never be pets.

Chimpanzee

Disney

Meet Oscar, a young chimpanzee and his friends as they explore their natural playground.

Secret Lives of Orangutans

Netflix

David Attenborough narrates as we follow a multi-generational orangutan family in Sumatra.

Chimp Empire

Netflix

Follows the Ngogo chimpanzees in Uganda's Kibale National Park, who long-time researchers at Yale and Arizona State University have studied for decades.

Virunga

Netflix

Mountain Gorillas and their protective Rangers in Virunga National Park, Africa.

READ

A few of the many books available to learn more about the great apes.

The Great Apes: A Short History

Chris Herzfeld explores our relationship with the great apes and the five-hundred year history of trying to build an understanding of primate knowledge, sharing historical details and anecdotes.

A Forest in the Clouds

John Fowler spends a year in Rwanda at the Karisoke Research Center, the remote mountain gorilla camp established by the late Dian Fossey.

Gorillas in the Mist

Dian Fossey recounts her passionate efforts for thirteen years as she tries to protect the rainforests of Rwanda and the magnificent mountain gorillas who call them home.

Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees

Follows Roger Fouts and his accounts while spending decades developing relationships with chimpanzees and using sign-language to communicate.

The Biology of Art

Desmond Morris - English author, zoologist, and surrealist painter - explores the fascinating subject of art making and the joy it brings to all, including primates and great apes as he spent many enlightening years observing painting activities.

The Orang Gang et al

Sherry Lucas shares stories in this diary of her twelve years as a volunteer at the Houston Zoo as an Orangutan "Mom".

50 Years at Gombe

Follows Jane Goodall in her adventures in Gombe Stream National Park and she pioneers the study of chimpanzees.

A male chimpanzee looks back at the viewer as he is calmly sitting in the forest and other chimpanzees groom each other behind him.

HOW TO HELP

Education: the story of the great apes and their plight is important.

Shop FAIRTRADE whenever possible (especially with products like chocolate, coffee, bananas, and palm oil) to support sustainable farming, and prevent deforestation and habitat destruction.

Visit and support only AZA - accredited zoos. Zoos without AZA accreditation may not have the highest standards for animal welfare.

Many sanctuaries have volunteer opportunities: CENTER FOR GREAT APES, CHIMP HAVEN, SAVE THE CHIMPS, CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY NORTHWEST, PROJECT CHIMPS

In addition to volunteering, donations and wishlist purchases are a wonderful way to support sanctuaries. Please view their websites to learn how to get involved.  

Avoid purchasing greeting cards that feature pictures of real great apes 'smiling' or wearing costumes. What may look like a smile is actually considered a 'fear grimace' and indicates an ape experiencing fear, submission and anxiety.

Keep up to date with new legislation that protects great apes and support change when you can - The Captive Primate Safety Act of 2025, which attempts to prohibit the private possession of non-human primates, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 5, 2025. Share your support and stay updated through the Chimp Haven Sanctuary.

Thank you for visiting and for your interest in our wild relatives, the Great Apes.
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