The Great Ape Trust, initially conceived as the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary, emerged as a prominent organization dedicated to the study and welfare of great apes. Established in Des Moines, Iowa, its primary purpose was to provide a sanctuary environment while facilitating scientific research into ape cognition and communication.
Founding and Early Vision
The Great Ape Trust was announced in 2002 and welcomed its first ape residents in 2004. Its establishment aimed to offer a home for great apes and advance scientific inquiry into their capabilities. This initiative launched with philanthropic support from Des Moines businessman Ted Townsend and primatologist Sue Savage-Rumbaugh. The vision included creating a facility that would eventually house all four types of great apes—bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans—for non-invasive, interdisciplinary studies.
The founders aimed to foster a collaborative research environment where ape participation was voluntary and their contributions were met with respect. This approach underscored a commitment to conservation efforts and educational outreach.
Groundbreaking Research and Ape Residents
Research at the Great Ape Trust focused on language acquisition, cognitive abilities, and cultural transmission among bonobos and orangutans. This work involved ape residents like Kanzi and Panbanisha, whose contributions expanded scientific understanding. Kanzi, a male bonobo, gained recognition for his linguistic aptitude, demonstrating an understanding of spoken English and the ability to communicate using over 400 “lexigram” symbols. He learned to use these symbols on touch screens and paper, and could respond to novel sentences.
Kanzi acquired language competency by observing humans attempting to teach his adoptive mother, Matata, rather than through direct training. He was filmed engaging in complex behaviors such as making music, building a fire, and crafting simple stone tools, highlighting bonobo cognitive sophistication. His half-sister, Panbanisha, also demonstrated comprehension of Yerkish lexigrams and spoken English, exhibiting the ability to express complex emotions like sadness. The work with these bonobos suggested that language might be a dynamic social instrument, accessible to non-human brains.
Challenges and Evolution
Despite its ambitious beginnings and scientific achievements, the Great Ape Trust encountered difficulties. The organization faced financial struggles and management disputes, which ultimately led to a shift in its operations. By 2013, the facility was in financial distress, and its founder, Ted Townsend, withdrew from the operation.
Allegations of mismanagement and concerns regarding the well-being of the bonobos also surfaced. These challenges necessitated a restructuring and rebranding of the organization. The aim was to ensure the continued care of the ape residents and to stabilize the facility’s future.
The Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary Today
The facility has since evolved and is now known as the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative, also referred to as the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary. Its current mission prioritizes providing lifelong care for the resident bonobos. The sanctuary continues to house a family of bonobos and focuses on non-invasive studies of their cognitive and communicative capabilities.
While the intensity of the research focus has shifted, the commitment to the welfare of the resident apes remains central. The organization also maintains educational outreach programs, inspiring scientific literacy and environmental stewardship. Supported by Kennesaw State University, the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative upholds its initial vision, providing a home for these primates and fostering public understanding.