Pebbles is known for her audacity and fearlessness. She is a very beautiful little orangutan who is confident around the other apes… no matter how large they are. The first time she met adult male Radcliffe (with the protective cage wire between them) her tiny hand went right through the openings in the wire and into Radcliffe’s huge open mouth. Then she stuck her finger up his nose! The observing caregivers were surprised, and so was Radcliffe. He started “baby-squeaking” to her, and they became immediate friends. (She was about 45 pounds, and he was over 260 pounds.)

Months later, when Pebbles was introduced into the same habitat with adult male Pongo, the caregivers were a bit nervous about the introduction. Pongo had only been around Christopher and adult female Mari, but never a small youngster like Pebbles, so we weren’t sure how he would react. And, Pebbles had never been one-on-one with such a large orangutan. However, from the moment she entered his enclosure, she was calm and eager to see him. She walked right up to Pongo, faced him, grabbed his beard, and tugged. Pongo looked shocked but quickly reacted with play gestures, and they have lived harmoniously together in a group for several years.

Pebbles also lives with Christopher and Mari (who adopted her upon her arrival), and she loves to visit Tango and Jam in their habitat several times a week.

Pebbles arrived at the Center for Great Apes in December 2004 from a California trainer compound where she was worked as an infant in the entertainment business. She still had a few years of working ability ahead of her, but her owner thankfully decided to stop working great apes in shows and commercials.

Pebbles loves to swing on vines in her enclosure, play in tubs of water, and wrestle with Christopher. One of her favorite enrichment activities is painting. Not only will she paint on paper or canvas given to her, Pebbles also enjoys covering herself with nontoxic paint!

Pebbles’ favorite food? -- whatever anyone else is eating.