Bonobo (Pan paniscus)

WHAT IS GREAT APE TRUST?
Great Ape Trust of Iowa is a world-class research center dedicated to studying the behavior and intelligence of great apes, providing sanctuary and an honorable life for great apes, advancing conservation of great apes and providing unique educational experiences about great apes. With 230 acres of lowlands, riverine forest and lakes, Great Ape Trust is the largest great ape research facility in North America. When completed,  The Trust will be one of the few worldwide to include all four types of great ape: bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans.

WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
Great Ape Trust of Iowa is located approximately five miles southeast of downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The project sits adjacent to the Des Moines River on the site of a former sand and gravel quarry.

WHY IS GREAT APE TRUST LOCATED IN IOWA?
Great Ape Trust founder Ted Townsend is a native Iowan. Townsend envisioned a unique facility in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to studying and preserving great apes with local, national, and global influence and educational opportunities at all levels. Great Ape Trust has received a generous land transfer from the City of Des Moines, as well as an enthusiastic reception and interest from the local community.

WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER IN IOWA?
There are a number of excellent great ape facilities located in climates that have four distinct seasons and Great Ape Trust will clearly fall into this category. In addition to expansive, naturalistic outdoor areas, Great Ape Trust has designed spacious indoor facilities which will maintain warmth in the winter months and remain cool in the summer months to accommodate the needs and comfort of the great ape residents.

WHAT TYPE OF GREAT APES ARE HOUSED AT GREAT APE TRUST?
Great Ape Trust’s goal is to provide an honorable life to all four types of great ape: orangutans, bonobos, chimpanzees and gorillas. Currently Great Ape Trust provides a home for bonobos and orangutans.

Orangutan (Pongo spp.)

WHAT APES ARE AT GREAT APE TRUST AND FROM WHERE DID THEY COME?
Three orangutans, Azy, Knobi and Allie, are part of Dr. Rob Shumaker's Orangutan Language Project. Azy arrived September 28, 2004 from Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, DC where he participated in Dr. Shumaker's research program. Knobi came to Great Ape Trust February 8, 2005 from Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Allie arrived from the Denver Zoo on October 26, 2005.

The Great Ape Trust is home to a colony of seven bonobos from the Language Research Center at Georgia State University. The bonobos arrived in April and May of 2005 and are part of Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh's research program. They are: Kanzi, Panbanisha, Matata, Nyota, Nathan, Maisha and Elikya.

WHAT KIND OF RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED AT GREAT APE TRUST?
All scientific research at Great Ape Trust is non-invasive and voluntary for our great ape partners.

IS THE PUBLIC ABLE TO VISIT?
First and foremost, Great Ape Trust is a research center for the study of great ape intelligence. Limited opportunities are available for visitors to observe the facilities. Internet long distance learning opportunities are also being developed.

Visits are limited to small groups due to ongoing construction and space limitations. Check the Web site, www.GreatApeTrust.org for the latest information. Subsequent construction phases of Great Ape Trust will include an interpretive center which will further enhance the great ape experience for visitors.