October 17, 2005-Los Angeles, CA. OUREI along with the Los Angeles Zoo and the San Diego Zoo have announced that November is Ape Awareness Month, expanding upon the concept of International Orangutan Awareness Week (IOAW) to embrace all the threatened species of apes both great and small.  The Los Angeles Zoo is supporting this concept by holding Ape Awareness Day on November 5, 2005. Docents and conservation organizations will be educating visitors about the plight of the various species of great apes throughout the day. The San Diego Zoo will recognize Great Ape Awareness Week from Nov. 5 to 13 with special enrichment activities for orangutans, gorillas and bonobos, and keeper talks, and education displays at their exhibits to educate visitors about the plight of apes. Other zoological institutions are encouraged to plan similar events regarding the apes that they house.

IOAW-10 Coordinator and OUREI Chairman, Dr. Gary Shapiro stated that, "Zoological institutions have a particular responsibility to highlight the special relationship we share with the great apes as well as educate the public about the current conservation status of all the species. In this way, zoos can provide a meaningful service to the cause of in-situ ape conservation."

Joining forces with other organizations will be essential to make a major impact on the individuals and communities that are directly affecting the survival of the apes.

Shapiro added, "We must act now and in unison to change the hearts and minds of world community while there still is time. The goal must be nothing short of maintaining the viability of wild populations in perpetuity." 

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