FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 31, 2006

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu
Al Setka, Great Ape Trust of Iowa, (515) 243-3580, ext. 19, asetka@greatapetrust.org

NEW ORANGUTAN RESEARCH TO BE PRESENTED AT DRAKE

New scientific research of wild orangutans provides evidence that a difference in fruit availability between the islands of Sumatra and Borneo significantly affected diet, sociality, reproduction, life history and population size of the great ape. As part of a limited lecture series in the United States, Serge Wich, a leading scientist in orangutan research, will present his findings at Drake University at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, in room 207 of Olin Hall, 27th Street and Forest Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.

Wich, a behavioral biologist with Utrecht University in The Netherlands, is conducting orangutan studies at Great Ape Trust of Iowa.
Great Ape Trust of Iowa is located five miles southeast of downtown Des Moines on 230 acres of lowlands, riverine forest and lakes. 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 American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). To learn more about Great Ape Trust of Iowa, go to www.GreatApeTrust.org.

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