Des Moines, Iowa – June 20, 2007 – Organizers of Great Ape Trust of Iowa’s 2nd Annual Bowlathon for Great Apes on July 28 hope to improve on the $7,600 raised at last year’s inaugural event and be able to give substantially more in direct conservation aid to Africa, Malaysia and Indonesia, where great apes in the wild face an uncertain future.
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Please provide us with your contact information and the number of tickets you’d like to purchase and a Great Ape Trust representative will be in contact with you shortly to finalize your arrangements. |
“The Bowling for Apes fund-raiser is a very meaningful way to support the conservation of great apes in the wild,” said Dr. Rob Shumaker, who heads the orangutan research program at Great Ape Trust. “Through partnerships with scientists, conservationists and local people working in range countries (countries where apes are found in the wild), The Trust is currently helping to save orangutans, gorillas, bonobos and chimpanzees. A full 100 percent of the proceeds from our upcoming fund-raiser will support these endangered great apes.”
 The situation is urgent. According to estimates compiled by Great Ape Trust, all great ape species are endangered in the wild. In the last 100 years, 80 percent to 90 percent of the great apes in the wild have declined, according to Great Ape Trust Director of Conservation Dr. Ben Beck.
This year’s bowlathon will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at AMF Bowling Center, 3839 E. 14th St., Des Moines. Registration begins at 4 p.m. Tickets are limited and bowlers are encouraged to sign up early.
Here’s how the fund-raiser works: Bowlers pay $20 (the registration fee covers three games of bowling and shoe rental and includes a limited supply of pizza and soda) and receive a sponsorship form. There is no ceiling on the amount of money bowlers can raise in sponsorships, but they are asked to raise a minimum of $40 in tax-deductible sponsorship donations. Completed sponsorship forms and donations should be brought to the registration table the night of the event. Checks, made payable to Great Ape Trust of Iowa, are preferred, but cash will be accepted. Tickets are non-refundable.
 Those who are not interested in bowling but would still like to support the effort should consider becoming a sponsor for one of the bowlers, according to Andy Antilla, a senior caretaker in the orangutan program and coordinator of the bowling event with research assistant Caisie Pitman and caretaker Tine Geurts, both of whom also are with the orangutan program. Or, Antilla said, consider making a flat donation and earmarking it for Bowling for Apes.
The individual raising the most money will win a behind-the-scenes tour of Great Ape Trust for four, a $2,500 value.
This year’s bowlathon fund-raiser also includes a silent auction. A list of exciting and unique items will be announced closer to the event.
For tickets or more information, e-mail bowlinginfo@greatapetrust.org, or call The Trust (515) 243-3580, Ext. 170. Details are also available at www.greatapetrust.org.
The $7,600 raised last year helped The Trust provide $86,656 in direct support to conservation initiatives for bonobos, chimpanzees and gorillas in Africa; orangutans in Asia; and golden lion tamarins in South America. Since conservation grants began in 2004, a total of $170,644 has been awarded.
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Great Ape Trust Background
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 American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). |
Great Ape Trust is certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums
