Us, looking at them, looking at us, looking at them

I guess you could call it a primate networking event. On Friday we were with some special mammals who share 96.4 percent of their genetic material with humans. The communication took place with eyes, facial expressions, and actions (primarily by the stronger and hairier among us). Plus, one vocal rampage each by Kanzi, a bonobo wanting to get his hands on a large children's ball brought by a visitor, and 260-pound Azy, an orangutan who resembled the world's largest yarn ball as he rolled toward the front of the outdoor enclosure to get a look at us.
Azy (Great Ape Trust Photo)    Kanzi (Great Ape Trust Photo)

Chuck and I were part of a 16-person tour of the Great Ape Trust, a world-class center located in Des Moines and committed to scientific research, conservation and education. At this time, the facility houses bonobos (native to the Democratic Republic of Congo) and orangutans (Asia's only great ape, found in Bornea, Sumatra and Malaysia). These thinking, self-aware and intelligent residents began arriving in 2004; all were born in captivity and came to Des Moines from other research programs, zoos and even Hollywood. No chimps or gorillas yet, and since the 2008 flooding of this facility, those apes will have to wait.

Because their behaviors are being studied, they don't see many visitors at the 230-acre campus. While they're very comfortable with the staff, they weren't so sure about the rest of us. But they were intrigued from the get-go, and studious eyes watched us approach. Once we were seated, first in front of the orangutan enclosure and then behind a clear wall in the bonobo's structure, it was difficult to determine who was having a better time watching whom.

I recalled sitting (a submissive posture) and being directed not to make eye contact when we trekked gorillas in Rwanda and chimps in Tanzania.  And here we were again, but this time we were all smiles and friendly as we asked questions of the research and caregiving experts and viewed the apes' behaviors. Our laughter over Rocky's antics with a recycling bin prompted him to keep the comedy going. (You might recall that last week's "ape tickle study" revealed humans are not the only ones with a funny bone and that there's a common ancestor -- from 10 to 16 million years ago -- from which humans and great apes evolved.)

But the afternoon's live demonstration of how apes use symbols to communicate what they want was a jaw dropper. Even Elikya, a "control subject," has picked up what the other bonobos are doing with language and learning fast. Plus, she had the prettiest smile of the day...and spiked hair that had a uncanny resemblance to that of my friend Joyce, whose membership entitled us to this special experience.