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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FIREFIGHTERS GO EXTRA MILE FOR GREAT APES Iowa fire departments and businesses donate nearly 1¾ miles of old fire hoses to great ape research center DES MOINES, IA, August 9, 2004 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- Iowa fire departments have gone the extra mile for a great ape research center under construction in Des Moines. 16 fire departments, three businesses and a private citizen contributed more than 9,000 feet - nearly 1.75 miles - of old fire hoses this summer. The discarded hoses will be used as vines, swing and hammocks for the future residents of Great Ape Trust of Iowa, a world-class research center being built on a sprawling campus along the Des Moines River in the southeast corner of the city. "The support from firefighters, businesses and private citizens has been phenomenal - we've heard from departments throughout Iowa and across the country," says Andy Antilla, a senior caretaker for the orangutan project. "We can't thank them enough for their interest and involvement." Workers at Great Ape Trust will soon begin the task of cleaning and preparing the discarded hoses for the buildings and outdoor enclosures that will house the great apes. The first great apes - two orangutans from the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC - are expected to arrive at Great Ape Trust in late September. Great Ape Trust began as the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary in early 2002. In June of 2003, work crews began developing the former sand and gravel quarry near the Des Moines River. Located about five miles southeast of downtown Des Moines on approximately 200 acres of lowlands, river forest and lakes, Great Ape Trust of Iowa will be among the largest great ape facilities in North America and one of the first worldwide to include all four types of great ape: bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans for the study 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. To learn more about Great Ape Trust of Iowa, go to www.GreatApeTrust.org. CONTACT: Al Setka Director of Communications Great Ape Trust of Iowa 515.243.3580 515.720.7480 (cell) asetka@greatapetrust.org
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