Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative

Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative
FormationSeptember 28, 2004; 20 years ago (2004-09-28)
TypeSanctuary
Legal status501(c)(3)
Purposeunderstanding the origins and future of culture, language, tools and intelligence
HeadquartersUSA
Location
  • Des Moines
Websitehttp://apeinitiative.org/

Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative is a great ape sanctuary and scientific research facility in Des Moines, Iowa. The facility was announced in 2002 and received its first ape residents in 2004, conceived of as the Great Ape Trust,[1] or Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary,[2] launched in part by the primatologist Sue Savage-Rumbaugh and Des Moines businessman Ted Townsend.[3][4] Renamed in 2013, it is currently home to a colony of seven bonobos involved in non-invasive interdisciplinary studies of their cognitive and communicative capabilities. Ape Initiative is now supported by Kennesaw State University.[5]

  1. ^ Hu, Jane C. (2014-08-20). "What Do Talking Apes Really Tell Us?". Slate.com. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  2. ^ "Our History". Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative. Accessed September 2024.
  3. ^ Stern, Lindsay (July 2020). "What Can Bonobos Teach Us About the Nature of Language?" Smithsonian Magazine: Science.
  4. ^ Beeman, Perry. 'Ape scientist placed on leave after mental health is questioned' Archived 2014-02-06 at archive.today, Des Moines Register, September 12, 2012
  5. ^ "Our History". Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative. Accessed September 2024.