Des Moines, Iowa – July 29, 2008 – Great Ape Trust of Iowa and Drake University are collaborating to bring primate studies to the University's curriculum and to create research opportunities for students and faculty.

Jackie Mobley, a senior psychology major at Drake University, records orangutan Rocky's vocalizations as part of her internship at Great Ape Trust of Iowa. Mobley, who is concentrating her studies in the field of primatology, is also recording vocalizations of Great Ape Trust's world-famous bonobo residents. Great Ape Trust photo.

"Collaborations and partnerships like this are key in developing interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching at Drake University," said Keith Summerville, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and assistant professor of environmental science.

"Great Ape Trust is honored and strengthened by this newest academic partnership. Drake University has a long history of leadership in our community and now that vision will reach around the world," said Great Ape Trust Founder Ted Townsend. "Together, we can further generate profound insights through collaborations with apes."

The joint fund-raising partnership will help develop an awareness and depth of understanding for primate mental abilities, evolutionary history, behavior and conservation through Drake education and research projects.

Beginning this fall, Drake will offer a concentration in primate studies through the College of Arts and Sciences. The track of study requires courses in primatology, primate cognition and learning, primate conservation and a primatology senior capstone project.

The three-year funding also supports opportunities for Drake students and faculty to collaborate with scientists and scholars at Great Ape Trust.

Dr. Serge Wich, second from right, is among the Great Ape Trust of Iowa scientists working closely with Drake University interns spending the summer at the world-renowned scientific research institute in Des Moines. From left, the students are Jackie Mobley, a psychology major with a concentration in primatology; Greg Farris, a biochemisry and cellular and molecular biology major, and Anna Rice, a psychology major with a minor in biology. Mobley will graduate in December, and Farris and Rice in May 2009. Great Ape Trust photo.

This summer, three Drake seniors have internships with The Trust. Jacqueline Mobley of Davenport, Iowa; Gregory Farris of Denver; and Anna Rice of Mahtomedi, Minn., are working on projects such as researching and recording ape vocalizations and locomotion activity.

Drake students can partake in summer research experiences with Great Ape Trust scientists in Iowa or participate in research abroad with the Great Ape Trust or its affiliated research and conservation sites.

Funding also covers research projects between faculty and Great Ape Trust. Professors will have the opportunity to propose research projects within and outside natural sciences.

As part of the collaboration, visiting scholars will teach courses or seminars during the academic year at Drake.

"In the past, courses have been primate reintroduction biology, primate cognition and primatology, although many others are possible," Summerville added.

Drake's relationship with Great Ape Trust began in 2005 when Dr. Robert W. Shumaker, director of orangutan research at The Trust, was appointed a university fellow and started teaching Introduction to Primatology at Drake.

Great Ape Trust scientists Dr. Karyl Swartz, Dr. Serge Wich and Dr. Benjamin Beck have taught at Drake in the past, and are currently supervising Drake students with Great Ape Trust internships.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Great Ape Trust of Iowa is a scientific research facility in southeast Des Moines dedicated to understanding the origins and future of culture, language, tools and intelligence. When completed, Great Ape Trust will be the largest great ape facility in North America and one of the first worldwide to include all four types of great ape – bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans – for noninvasive interdisciplinary studies of their cognitive and communicative capabilities.

Great Ape Trust is dedicated to providing sanctuary and an honorable life for great apes, studying the intelligence of great apes, advancing conservation of great apes and providing unique educational experiences about great apes. Great Ape Trust of Iowa is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization and is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).