Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary is creating a new ethic of conservation — a commitment that goes beyond the great apes and begins in Iowa. For decades the 200 acre site that will serve as home to IPLS, was a sand and gravel quarry — an area eventually abandoned, neglected and polluted.
The Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary is being designed by Leo A Daly, an international architectural firm headquartered in Omaha, Neb. They’ve developed an ambitious design that calls for the creation of several islands on the site – each island will serve as home to one of the great ape species: bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. To view an artists rendering of the project.
Construction updates on the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary will soon be just a mouse click away. Starting this fall, web cameras will be positioned on the IPLS building site. Construction Manager Mike Carroll with Hansen Company Inc. of Johnston, IA says cameras will provide images of construction on "Bonobo Island" from three locations — views to the northeast, northwest and south. The images will be updated several times each hour.
Despite repeated snowstorms and bitterly cold temperatures, construction has continued this winter at Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary. Footings and forms have been completed for portions of the bonobo building. Crews are seen here working on one of the climbing towers — which will reach 28 feet high. Electrical and communication lines were also recently installed at the site.