Statement on Private Ownership of Apes

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Statement on private ownership of apes and their use in advertising and entertainment October 2007

Great Ape Trust of Iowa is opposed to the commercial exploitation of apes and monkeys and to the private ownership of apes and monkeys as pets. Specifically, we oppose the use of apes and monkeys in advertising, entertainment and other commercial activities.

COMMUNIQUE – Animals in Advertising (Dr. Ben Beck and Dr. Robert Shumaker)

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Great Ape Trust supports the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in discouraging the private ownership of apes and monkeys (and other wild and exotic animals) as pets.

AZA Primate Advisory Groups’ Primate Pet Trade Position Statement

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Great Ape Trust also concurs with the Ape Taxon Advisory Group’s (TAG) position on apes in entertainment.

Ape Taxon Advisory Groups’ Statement – Apes In Entertainment

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Great Ape Trust supported Iowa legislation (SF 564) that prohibits personal ownership of many types of wild exotic animals, including apes and monkeys. The measure was passed during the 2007 Iowa General Assembly and signed by Governor Chet Culver on May 25. This important legislation became law in Iowa on July 1, 2007.

Iowa legislation – Senate File 564

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Great Ape Trust Background

Great Ape Trust of Iowa is a scientific research facility in southeast Des Moines dedicated to understanding the origins and future of culture, language, tools and intelligence. 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 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

For more information, contact:
Al Setka
Director of Communications
Great Ape Trust of Iowa
4200 S.E. 44th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50320
515.243-3580
515.720.7430 (cell)
asetka@greatapetrust.org

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