AR-News: New book offers insight into primates and their struggle to survive

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From:primfocus at waste.org

http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?objid=D1D1366D000000FAE8C2E1C2AD6C5A0D

New book offers insight into primates and their
struggle to survive 

>From Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary
Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Des Moines, Iowa - February 24, 2004) Perhaps more
than any other type of animal, primates have captured
the interest, imagination and attention of humans for
centuries. They are among the most fascinating
creatures on the planet, yet often the least
understood. No other type of animal shares the same
level of similarity with humans or has the same depth
to their gaze. But what exactly are primates, how
smart are they and can anything be done to save them
from extinction? 

The answers to those questions and nearly a hundred
more can be found in an important new book entitled,
Primates in Question, the latest publication in the
popular Smithsonian Answer Book Series. Primates in
Question was written by Dr. Robert Shumaker and Dr.
Benjamin Beck with the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary
(IPLS) of Des Moines. 

An evolutionary biologist specializing in the study of
primate behavior and cognition, Shumaker is co-founder
of the "Think Tank" at the Smithsonian National
Zoological Park in Washington, DC. He is currently
director of the IPLS orangutan research project.
Shumaker also serves on the scientific advisory board
of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) in
Indonesia and is an advisor for Science and Ethics for
BOS - USA.

"Human and non-human primates see the world through
the same eyes and feel it through the same hands and
feet - yet it's amazing how little most people know
about our closest living relatives," says Shumaker.
"Sadly, movies, television and advertisements have
painted a distorted picture of apes and monkeys. We
hope this book not only generates increased interest,
respect and admiration for primates - but also, a
desire to do more for the welfare of great apes in
captivity and their conservation in the wild." 

Dr. Beck is director of conservation at IPLS and a
former associate director of the Smithsonian's
National Zoological Park where he designed the zoo's
innovative free-ranging golden lion tamarin exhibit.
Over the past 20 years, Beck has coordinated the
reintroduction of more than 150 golden lion tamarins
in Brazil. He says the intent of Primates in Question
parallels the mission at IPLS of education,
conservation and research.

"The more the public learns about primates and their
struggle to survive in the wild, the greater the
chance to save them from extinction," says Beck. 

World renowned great ape researcher, Dr. Jane Goodall
praises Primates in Question and calls it a
comprehensive overview of many aspects of primate
evolution, biology and social behavior - enhanced by
many fascinating examples from research in the field
and captivity. 

"It is also a call to action - we not only learn why
primates, around the world, are becoming increasingly
endangered, but also what we can do to help them,"
says Goodall. "This book belongs in all libraries, and
on the bookshelves of everyone with an interest in our
closest relative."

Located in southeast Des Moines on 200 acres of
lowlands, river forest and lakes, IPLS will be among
the largest great ape facilities in North America and
one of the first worldwide to include all four types
of great ape for the study of cognition and
communicative abilities. Phase-one construction of the
project began in mid-2003. The arrival of orangutans
and bonobos at IPLS is anticipated in mid- to
late-2004.

The Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary will set a new
standard for the science of understanding great apes
as well as the ways in which that information is
shared with the general public. IPLS' unique focus and
innovative facility design will provide opportunities
for scientific collaboration that will directly affect
attitudes about great apes in captivity, as well as
their conservation in the wild. To learn more about
the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary, go to
www.IowaGreatApes.org. 

For more information, contact:

Al Setka
Manager Public Relations
Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary
4900 University Avenue, Suite 101
West Des Moines, IA 50266
asetka at porterandassociates.com

Web site: 

http://www.iowagreatapes.org

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the wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. he is in front of it - axel munthe

"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world. 
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."      Margaret Mead
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