EAZA Ape Campaign http://www.apecampaign.org Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:16:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Friends of Chester Zoo raise almost £4,000 for the apes http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/15/friends-of-chester-zoo-raise-almost-4000-for-the-apes?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=friends-of-chester-zoo-raise-almost-4000-for-the-apes http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/15/friends-of-chester-zoo-raise-almost-4000-for-the-apes#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:04:41 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2877 A group of Chester Zoo enthusiasts have raised almost £4,000 towards the 2011 EAZA Ape Campaign following a series of events held at the zoo throughout the year.

Event highlights included behind-the-scenes access to some of Chester Zoo’s world-leading primate exhibits such as Realm of the Red Ape and Monkey Islands, and a summer barbecue, . . . → Read More: Friends of Chester Zoo raise almost £4,000 for the apes]]> A group of Chester Zoo enthusiasts have raised almost £4,000 towards the 2011 EAZA Ape Campaign following a series of events held at the zoo throughout the year.

Event highlights included behind-the-scenes access to some of Chester Zoo’s world-leading primate exhibits such as Realm of the Red Ape and Monkey Islands, and a summer barbecue, which included a private tour of the zoo and an auction of memorabilia, ape artwork and animal encounters, all donated by Chester Zoo. The barbecue evening was sponsored by local accounting firms Philip Bates and Co. Ltd. and Phillip Bates and Co. Financial Services Ltd. who are based in nearby Neston on the Wirral.

Chimpanzee at Chester Zoo

Chimpanzee at Chester Zoo (photo: Stuart Robinson)

“Our two businesses were delighted to jointly sponsor the recent barbecue for the EAZA Campaign at Chester Zoo,” said Chairman Philip Bates. “It was great to see such clear commitment and enthusiasm from those attending to, and for their cause. Our team and their families certainly enjoyed the evening enormously and were particularly excited to see the jaguars and spectacled bears. Thanks for a wonderful evening and well done for raising funds for such a worthy cause.”

All the events were organised by NEZS member Stuart Robinson. “We would like to thank Philip Bates and his staff for their generosity and for embracing the campaign’s important conservation message,” Stuart commented. “In addition, I couldn’t have made this happen without the full support of Director General Dr. Mark Pilgrim and Curator of Mammals Tim Rowlands, who organised such privileged access to the zoo. I’d also like to thank Head of Discovery and Learning Stephen McKeown, Jane Redfern and Dominic Strange on the business and events team, conservation officers Scott Wilson and Catherine Barton, the Oakfield House staff and all the keepers who gave their valuable time to the cause and made the barbecue evening so enjoyable for everyone concerned.”

]]> http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/15/friends-of-chester-zoo-raise-almost-4000-for-the-apes/feed 0 It’s like a jungle sometimes… http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/09/its-like-a-jungle-sometimes?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=its-like-a-jungle-sometimes http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/09/its-like-a-jungle-sometimes#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:37:31 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2836 Jungle camp site (photo: Alena Houskova)

In support of raising ape awareness Zoological garden Decin developed a jungle-like exhibition (including typical noise from the jungle and gorilla roars) for its visitors. The exhibition resembles a field biologist’s camp from the 20th century. The site shows a resting place including a camp-bed and sleeping bag, . . . → Read More: It’s like a jungle sometimes…]]> Jungle camp site

Jungle camp site (photo: Alena Houskova)

In support of raising ape awareness Zoological garden Decin developed a jungle-like exhibition (including typical noise from the jungle and gorilla roars) for its visitors. The exhibition resembles a field biologist’s camp from the 20th century. The site shows a resting place including a camp-bed and sleeping bag, filthy clothes and boots, an alarm clock, torch, food supplies, and a few National Geographic magazines with articles about apes and rainforests. You can also find a table with a stereoscopic microscope placed on it. Using the microscope visitors can observe tropical insects in ethanol and faecal samples of gorillas. In the camp visitors can find field notes about the movements, birth rates and observed behaviour of the gorilla group.

Observing tropical insects

Observing tropical insects (photo: Alena Houskova)

The second part of the exhibition consists of plants with rubber snakes and plush apes. On the walls visitors can find photographs from African and Indonesian expeditions, made available by the regional museum. Visitors can sit in a camp-chair and use binoculars to search for images of apes. A tablet shows information about the campaign and the apes for those visitors who are keen on getting to know more. Zoo Decin organised many other ape-related activities the past year but the jungle exhibition is rated by the visitors the most popular event.

]]> http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/09/its-like-a-jungle-sometimes/feed 0 Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/08/durrell-wildlife-conservation-trust?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=durrell-wildlife-conservation-trust http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/08/durrell-wildlife-conservation-trust#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:29:43 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2833 http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/09/08/durrell-wildlife-conservation-trust/feed 0 The most intelligent ape in the world is a bonobo! http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/29/the-most-intelligent-ape-in-the-world-is-a-bonobo?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-most-intelligent-ape-in-the-world-is-a-bonobo http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/29/the-most-intelligent-ape-in-the-world-is-a-bonobo#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:45:01 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2806 Early July we made mention of the battle between the chimpanzees from Antwerp Zoo and the bonobos from Planckendael. The two teams were competing with each other in six different games. Four of the games were about collecting 5 walnuts from a puzzle box as quick as possible. Surprisingly enough, the bonobos won the competition . . . → Read More: The most intelligent ape in the world is a bonobo!]]> Early July we made mention of the battle between the chimpanzees from Antwerp Zoo and the bonobos from Planckendael. The two teams were competing with each other in six different games. Four of the games were about collecting 5 walnuts from a puzzle box as quick as possible. Surprisingly enough, the bonobos won the competition by 4-2. They beat the chimpanzees at the four collection box games. While the bonobos raked in one reward after the other, the chimpanzees in Antwerp seemed too busy with chimpanzee politics: two young males started to challenge the alpha male just a week before the start of the competition, causing social turmoil in the group.

The winning bonobo team

The winning bonobo team

The public could follow the competition on the website (www.deslimsteaapterwereld.be) and more than 12.000 fans followed the competition through the zoo’s facebook pages! In the two parks, an ape route guided the visitors from the entrance to the great apes enclosures. Along the route, the visitors could play more or less the same games as the apes and receive information over the Ape Campaign. Behavioural biologist and European EEP Bonobo co-coordinator Jeroen Stevens and his colleagues expected the tool-wielding chimps to win, but were surprised by the persistence and motivation of a female bonobo named Djanoa.

Djanoa , the most intelligent bonobo

Djanoa , the most intelligent bonobo

Not the dominant female in the group, Djanoa monopolised the games. She also showed quickness and the ability to solve a puzzle that was labelled impossible by many scientists. Did we find a special genius ape? A bonobo with special abilities? For Stevens, the competition opened the way into further research into the individuality of ape behaviour. If behavioural differences, such as persistence and motivation are consistent, we can argue that apes, like human beings, have personalities.

]]> http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/29/the-most-intelligent-ape-in-the-world-is-a-bonobo/feed 0 Kisses from Kiki at Heidelberg zoo http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/18/kisses-from-kiki-at-heidelberg-zoo?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kisses-from-kiki-at-heidelberg-zoo http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/18/kisses-from-kiki-at-heidelberg-zoo#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:19:13 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2749 The past year Heidelberg Zoo has been running several innovative events and ape-related activities to focus attention and inform about the apes and threats, to encourage people, and to raise funds. From selling campaign key rings to organizing special school activities and from narrated orangutan and gorilla feedings to creating ape buttons.

Kiki's kisses

. . . → Read More: Kisses from Kiki at Heidelberg zoo]]> The past year Heidelberg Zoo has been running several innovative events and ape-related activities to focus attention and inform about the apes and threats, to encourage people, and to raise funds. From selling campaign key rings to organizing special school activities and from narrated orangutan and gorilla feedings to creating ape buttons.
Kiki's kisses

Kiki's kisses

As part of raising awareness a few lucky visitors received painted chocolate kisses, which were aimed to represent Kiki´s kisses, because of Kiki´s fourth birthday (Kiki is one of the young gorillas). Heidelberg Zoo also participated in collecting as many old mobile phones as possible. Mobile phone recycling awareness posters were distributed to raise awareness and to encourage people to donate their old mobile phones in a huge mobile phone box situated at the ape enclosures. Up till now Heidelberg Zoo collected more than 120 kg of mobile phones, which generated €1.000 for the Ape campaign.

Information stand at Heidelberg zoo

Information stand at Heidelberg zoo


Visitors were offered the opportunity to visit the special art exhibition that shows photo portraits of the gorilla family in Heidelberg Zoo. The exhibition focused on the growth and development of “Banjoko”, a five year old male gorilla. The gorilla was captured in several impressive photos since his birth in December 2006. These pictures are on sale, proceedings of the sale will be donated to the campaign.

]]> http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/18/kisses-from-kiki-at-heidelberg-zoo/feed 0 Bristol Zoo’s auctions ‘Wow! Gorillas’ http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/15/%e2%80%98wow-gorillas%e2%80%99-to-be-auctioned-for-bristol-zoo%e2%80%99s-gorilla-conservation-projects?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=%25e2%2580%2598wow-gorillas%25e2%2580%2599-to-be-auctioned-for-bristol-zoo%25e2%2580%2599s-gorilla-conservation-projects http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/15/%e2%80%98wow-gorillas%e2%80%99-to-be-auctioned-for-bristol-zoo%e2%80%99s-gorilla-conservation-projects#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:07:06 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2721 This summer, 61 unique ‘Wow! Gorillas’ sculptures have appeared all over the streets and parks of Bristol for everyone to enjoy in celebration of Bristol Zoo’s 175th birthday year. Some ‘Wow! Gorillas’ sculptures even made it all the way to Cameroon. In addition to celebration the multicoloured gorilla sculptures also raise awareness about gorillas.

. . . → Read More: Bristol Zoo’s auctions ‘Wow! Gorillas’]]> This summer, 61 unique ‘Wow! Gorillas’ sculptures have appeared all over the streets and parks of Bristol for everyone to enjoy in celebration of Bristol Zoo’s 175th birthday year. Some ‘Wow! Gorillas’ sculptures even made it all the way to Cameroon. In addition to celebration the multicoloured gorilla sculptures also raise awareness about gorillas.

WOW Gorillas_Bristol Zoo

Pictures by Shaun Thompson

Each of the life-size gorilla sculptures has been sponsored by organisations, businesses and charities from across the region, and decorated in their own unique style by talented local artists. The gorilla sculptures are as varied as they are eye-catching, and include a Brunel gorilla, a pirate gorilla, a surfing gorilla, a skiing gorilla and even an Elvis gorilla, among many others.

On September 29th, these unique and individual sculptures will be sold at a prestigious charitable auction to raise money for Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, The Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity and Bristol Zoo’s gorilla conservation projects. Bristol Zoo supports two gorilla projects in Cameroon and supports Ape Action Africa (AAA) which runs a primate sanctuary home to over 120 great apes. The money raised in the auction will also help Bristol Zoo to meet their funding pledge of €9999 for the Ape campaign.

For more information about the auction go to www.bristolzoo.org.uk/wow-gorillas

WOW Gorillas_Bristol Zoo ]]> http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/15/%e2%80%98wow-gorillas%e2%80%99-to-be-auctioned-for-bristol-zoo%e2%80%99s-gorilla-conservation-projects/feed 0 Parc zoologique de Champrépus http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/04/parc-zoologique-de-champrepus?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=parc-zoologique-de-champrepus http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/04/parc-zoologique-de-champrepus#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:31:02 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2717 http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/08/04/parc-zoologique-de-champrepus/feed 0 EAZA Ape Campaign Course in Barcelona http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/07/28/eaza-ape-campaign-course-in-barcelona?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eaza-ape-campaign-course-in-barcelona http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/07/28/eaza-ape-campaign-course-in-barcelona#comments Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:49:23 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2704 On 5th and 6th July, the Barcelona Zoo, in partnership with the University of Barcelona, hosted a summer course entitled ‘The Contribution of the International Zoo Community to the conservation of great apes and their habitats’.

Round-table discussion with key speakers

The course format was to have a series of lectures through the . . . → Read More: EAZA Ape Campaign Course in Barcelona]]> On 5th and 6th July, the Barcelona Zoo, in partnership with the University of Barcelona, hosted a summer course entitled ‘The Contribution of the International Zoo Community to the conservation of great apes and their habitats’.
Round-table discussion with key speakers

Round-table discussion with key speakers


The course format was to have a series of lectures through the day, followed by a round-table discussion in the final session. The topics covered in the first day started with a presentation by Teresa Abello on how zoos, and particularly through EAZA Campaigns, help with conservation. Other speakers talked about the conservation issues faced by gibbons, and gorillas. The audience heard about the role of breeding programmes, and particularly EEPs in relation to conservation, which was followed by the role of sanctuaries, and the UNEP Grasp programme.

logo Barcelona zoo

On the second day a presentation was held about advances in genetic techniques, including studies comparing the human and ape genomes, and how this affects their conservation. Another topic that was presented that day focused on the devastating effects of the ebola virus on ape populations, and the importance of studies on captive apes in zoos. Lastly there was an excellent presentation on the importance of sustainable development and human livelihoods in conservation programmes.

All in all it can be said that it was an excellent symposium. Challenging questions were asked, particularly about whether it is already too late to save some of the apes. It will not be easy, but it is clear that meetings like this help spread the commitment and passion needed to save them. Thanks to Barcelona Zoo for hosting this course and as part of their campaign awareness raising!

]]> http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/07/28/eaza-ape-campaign-course-in-barcelona/feed 0 Drusillas Park http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/07/25/drusillas-park?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=drusillas-park http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/07/25/drusillas-park#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:28:45 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2699 http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/07/25/drusillas-park/feed 0 How to apply for an Ape Campaign Award http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/07/22/how-to-apply-for-an-ape-campaign-award?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-apply-for-an-ape-campaign-award http://www.apecampaign.org/2011/07/22/how-to-apply-for-an-ape-campaign-award#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:01:26 +0000 Marseille http://www.apecampaign.org/?p=2689 Applications for the Ape Campaign Awards are now being accepted. Only EAZA member zoos that signed up for the Ape Campaign can apply for an award. The following categories are in place:

• Ape week Award: Which zoo was most actively involved (i.e. the frequency, diversity and uniqueness of activities, media attention, and number of . . . → Read More: How to apply for an Ape Campaign Award]]> Applications for the Ape Campaign Awards are now being accepted. Only EAZA member zoos that signed up for the Ape Campaign can apply for an award. The following categories are in place:

• Ape week Award: Which zoo was most actively involved (i.e. the frequency, diversity and uniqueness of activities, media attention, and number of participants) with hosting Ape week?
• Ape Campaign Awareness Award: Which zoo organized the most innovative and original event or activity in support of raising ape awareness?
• Ape Campaign Fundraising Award: Which zoo holds the most original and imaginative fundraising scheme or event in support of the fundraising target of the Ape Campaign?

Winner Carnivore Campaign Awareness Award 2009 (Photo: Mikkel Stelvig)

Winner Carnivore Campaign Awareness Award 2009 (Photo: Mikkel Stelvig)

EAZA Ape Campaign Awards consist of a unique color certificate and a prize to be presented at the closing of the campaign at the EAZA Annual Conference in Montpellier in September 2011. Award applications should not exceed more than 500 words, and should preferably be supported with photographs wherever possible. Please submit your application before August 30th 2011 to info@apecampaign.org

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