Christopher is now a sub-adult male orangutan who shares his home with Pongo, Mari, and Pebbles.

At this “sub-adult” stage (just past adolescence, but not yet a fully developed adult male), his hair length and face-shape are changing rapidly. While still looking a bit like a juvenile, his facial cheek pads (also called flanges) are beginning to grow and he will soon be a full adult male like his brother, Pongo.

Both Christopher and Pongo were infants at a Florida tourist attraction and were the first two orangutans living at the Center for Great Apes. They have lived together since they were babies, but soon, as two adult male orangutans, they will most likely not tolerate each other in the same habitat due to the solitary and territorial nature of adult males. However, at this point (Pongo is 18 and Chris is nearly 16)… both males are living harmoniously in the same area. But the Center staff watches carefully each day for signs that it’s time to move Chris into his new habitat.

Nest-building is one of Christopher’s favorite activities. He makes nests of branches, hay, palm fronds, paper bags, and cardboard boxes in the 35’ high tower of the dome. He loves hats and will wear caps, boxes, banana leaves or burlap bags on his head. When he’s out walking in the woods through the chute system, he often carries a bucket or tub with him, and when it begins to rain, he puts the tub on his head for a very effective umbrella!

Christopher likes to makes tools and has altered many toys and tree branches in order to reach food and objects outside of his outdoor habitat. He often tries to figure out how to take apart every toy or puzzle given to him, and has frequently broken his water spigot by jamming it with PVC tubes.

Chris seems to be more attached to Mari than Pongo is. He’s usually very gentle with Mari, and she shares her food (right from her mouth) with him. Christopher grooms Mari and pays particular attention to the short stump where her arm should be. However, at night, he shares his den with little Pebbles who is also a favorite playmate.

In the mornings, Christopher quickly runs around gathering up his blankets and then trades them and his empty food dishes for his morning fruit. He dislikes cold weather, and in the winter will walk around most of the day with a blanket wrapped around his head and body.

Chris is one of the heartiest eaters at the sanctuary and seems to have many favorites. In fact, there are no foods that he does not like!