Electric Co-op Today

A Florida co-op’s commitment to energy efficiency is extending beyond people to primates.

Pongo the orangutan will benefit from an energy conservation project partially funded by Peace River Electric Co-op members. (Photo By: Center for Great Apes)

Peace River Electric Cooperative has made a major donation to help improve a retirement facility for great apes that spent their early lives as performers or exotic pets.

Mark Sellers, communications coordinator for the Wauchula-based co-op, said its charitable foundation’s advisory board approved a matching grant of up to $15,000 to the Center for Great Apes.

“The money will be used to help upgrade windows in a dozen ape houses, so this is an energy-efficiency project.”

The houses are used primarily at night and provide shelter from cold winter air. They are also capable of withstanding hurricane force winds that sometimes threaten the co-op’s service territory.

PRECO serves the 100-acre center, which also is located in Wauchula.It is home to 13 orangutans and 31 chimpanzees.

Besides providing 14 spacious, secure enclosures, it also includes a mile of elevated chutes, enabling the apes to roam around the forested grounds. There is also a special needs facilities for older primates.

Peace River Electric Cooperative is supporting improvements to improve ape houses at a primate sanctuary in central Florida. (Photo By: Center for Great Apes)

“Chimpanzees and orangutans used for entertainment in the circus, movies and commercials only are ‘worked’ while they are infants and juveniles,” said Patti Ragan, founder and sanctuary director of the center. “But they have a life span of over 50 years.”

Many of the 44 apes living at the facility might otherwise face years in research labs, roadside menageries or backyard breeding programs, Ragan said. “Accredited zoos do not accept people-raised great apes because of their more human-like behavior.”

Donations to the charitable fund come from more than 29,000 of PRECO’s members,” said Nell McCauley, the co-op’s chief marketing and member services officer.

“The foundation’s board is made up of co-op consumer-members who volunteer to serve, so we’re glad they decided to help this important local conservation program.”

Tags: Commitment to Community, Environmental Stewardship, Local Initiatives