Panbanisha is one of three bonobos at Great Ape Trust who has demonstrated receptive competence for spoken English. Great Ape Trust photo.

Matata’s ‘adoption’ of the infant Kanzi changed the course of breakthrough ape language and cognition research

Des Moines, Iowa – February 3, 2010 – Simpson College students will have the opportunity to study bonobos at Great Ape Trust and contribute to The Trust’s breakthrough language research under a partnership agreement announced today by the two institutions.

The agreement expands an academic partnership begun in 2007 to offer undergraduate opportunities available nowhere else in the world. Research at Great Ape Trust is consistent with the corpus of research of Dr. Duane Rumbaugh, Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh and William M. Fields, a 40-year longitudinal study into the cognitive abilities of great apes, including breakthrough findings with the bonobo Kanzi that have redefined the study of ape language. After being exposed to lexigram symbols as an infant, Kanzi spontaneously acquired language in the same way that human children do: by being exposed to it.

The bonobo Kanzi’s spontaneous lexigram utterances as an infant redefined the study of ape language. Liz Rubert-Pugh photo.

“We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with Great Ape Trust,” said Simpson College President John W. Byrd. “Simpson is lucky to have a world-class research institution in such close proximity to its campus. The partnership provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with and learn from the talented scientists and scholars at The Trust.”

“Our partnership with Great Ape Trust gives Simpson students unique access to cutting-edge scientific research as undergraduate students,” added Steve Griffith, vice president and dean of academic affairs. “By renewing this agreement, Simpson College and Great Ape Trust will be able to continue to work together to advance the valuable work of scientists at The Trust and foster the academic growth of Simpson students.”

Simpson College becomes Great Ape Trust’s primary undergraduate partner with the agreement signing. The college has committed to funding at least two new four-year Great Ape Trust Scholarships and adding two courses per academic year to be taught by Great Ape Trust scientists, including Fields and Savage-Rumbaugh, who will receive faculty affiliations at Simpson as Great Ape Trust Senior Scholars.

The college also will assist Great Ape Trust in applying for grant funding, analyzing data, and infrastructure and administrative support.

William M. Fields is director of scientific research at Great Ape Trust. Great Ape Trust photo.

The agreement, which becomes effective May 10, 2010, will unfold in four stages. Selected scholars will gradually earn the privilege of spending time with the apes after first assisting in archiving 40 years’ of videotapes of ape research, editing research reports, providing statistical analysis, participating in Science Circle meetings and assisting with caretaking responsibilities, an important step in becoming acquainted with the apes and the staff at Great Ape Trust.

Great Ape Trust Director of Scientific Research William M. Fields said the agreement continues an important history and tradition at Simpson College – to bring important societal issues to the public square – that included opening its doors to a promising young scientist and former slave George Washington Carver, when other Midwest universities refused to do so.

“To be associated with an organization that recognized the importance of George Washington Carver is an honor,” Fields said.

The agreement also reaffirms a strong academic tradition. “I am especially impressed with the students and faculty,” Fields said. “They are socially aware and sensitive to a broad array of societal issues that are important to all of us.”

He especially noted the efforts of two Simpson faculty members: Dr. Don Evans, an associate professor of psychology, and former Psychology Department Chairman Dr. Carl Halgren, whose friendship with Dr. Duane Rumbaugh, an Iowa native who went on to become one of the most respected primatologists in the world, prompted the original agreement.

“We are delighted by the support of President Byrd, Dean Griffith, Dr. Halgren, and Dr. Evans,” Fields said. “It is an extraordinary bonus that Simpson is geographically located close to The Trust campus.”

The two institutions’ campuses are located about 15 miles apart.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Great Ape Trust, is a scientific research facility in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to understanding the origins and future of culture, language, tools and intelligence, and to the preservation of endangered great apes in their natural habitats. Announced in 2002 and receiving its first ape residents in 2004, Great Ape Trust is home to a colony of six bonobos involved in noninvasive interdisciplinary studies of their cognitive and communicative capabilities, and to six orangutans. To learn more about Great Ape Trust, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, go to www.GreatApeTrust.org.

Simpson College Background
Simpson College is a four-year liberal arts college with 1,500 students. Simpson is located in Indianola, Iowa, with easy access to Des Moines. Simpson emphasizes academic excellence, community engagement, international experiences and success beyond the classroom. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of NCAA Division III.