Chicago Zoological Society

News Release

March 24, 2011

Contact: Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
708.688.8351
sondra.katzen@czs.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Note: Images of Brookfield Zoo’s apes may be downloaded at www.CZS.org/pressroom.


Brookfield Zoo’s Ape Awareness Weekends Bring Attention to Declining Wild Ape Populations

       Brookfield, Ill.—This APE-ril, the Chicago Zoological Society is encouraging people to swing into action and discover ways to help the wild ape populations of Asia and Africa. On Saturdays and Sundays, April 2-3 and 9-10, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Brookfield Zoo’s Primate Department will host Ape Awareness Weekends featuring Zoo Chats about the zoo’s three species of apes—orangutans, western lowland gorillas, and white-cheeked gibbons—and activities that are both fun and educational for the entire family.

During the two-weekend event, guests who venture into the zoo’s Tropic World exhibit will have the opportunity to compare their own weight and handprints with those of an orangutan’s and gorilla’s, see how much wider an orangutan’s arm span is compared to a human’s, try on a gorilla-size T-shirt and an orangutan-size mitten, learn what the apes’ diets are at Brookfield Zoo, and even build a nest like gorillas’ nests.

Primate keepers will present informal talks about these magnificent creatures that they care for. At noon, guests can learn about the zoo’s white-cheeked gibbon family in Tropic World’s Asia section, followed by a 1:00 p.m. chat on the orangutans. At 2:00 p.m. in the South America habitat, guests can find out why there are no ape species on this continent. Finally, at 2:30 p.m. on the bridge in the Africa section, zoogoers can learn about the zoo’s gorilla group.

During the Zoo Chats, guests will learn about the sustainable palm oil trade and the zoo’s cell phone recycling program—two initiatives that are helping ape species in their natural habitats of Asia and Africa. “Sometimes people do not think they can make a difference that affects wildlife or their habitats across an ocean, but that is not the case,” said Nava Greenblatt, lead keeper of primates at the zoo. “During Ape Awareness Weekends, we hope our guests will be inspired to take action and know that the decisions they make, whether it is purchasing a consumer product containing sustainable palm oil or recycling a cell phone, can make an impact on ape populations in the wild.”

Guests are often surprised that they can help the gorilla population in Africa by recycling their old cell phones and accessories, pagers, handheld games, e-readers, and laptops. The industry that produces these particular electronics is threatening gorillas’ and other forest species’ habitats in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a significant amount of the world’s supply of coltan is mined. Cell phones and other such devices require this metallic ore. The greater the demand for these products, the greater the demand for coltan, which sadly results in the destruction of the forests and their inhabitants.

Brookfield Zoo has a year-round cell phone recycling program that allows guests to recycle their old cell phones and other handheld electronics at one of two designated bins located at the zoo’s North and South Gates. During Ape Awareness Weekends, additional bins will be located in each of the three sections of Tropic World. For each device collected, Eco-Cell, a premiere cell phone recycling organization, will pay up to $15. All funds raised through this program benefit the Chicago Zoological Society’s Conservation Fund, which supports conservation efforts at Brookfield Zoo and around the world to help species, including primates.

Additionally, zoogoers can learn how to become educated consumers when purchasing products that contain palm oil. Palm oil is in demand as an ingredient in baked goods, candies, and other consumer goods and is found in one out of 10 supermarket products. Many manufacturers favor palm oil because it has no trans fat, which appeals to increasingly health-conscious consumers, even though it still contains saturated fats. The orangutan’s natural habitat—the rain-forest islands of Sumatra and Borneo—is being logged and converted to palm oil plantations. Due in large part to the deforestation, experts predict that orangutans may become extinct in the wild unless dramatic action is taken to help preserve habitat. Several companies that are members of the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) are committed to using certified sustainable palm oil and doing their best to make a difference for orangutans. In addition to Breyer’s, whose ice cream is sold in Brookfield Zoo’s Scoops restaurant, a list of RSPO company members and some of their products may be found on the zoo’s Web site at www.CZS.org/PalmOilGuide.

Ape Awareness Weekends activities are free with general zoo admission of $13.50 for adults and $9.50 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and over. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $9. For further information, visit www.CZS.org or call (708) 688-8000.

The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.

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