IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. PLATFORM
An information service for great ape conservation and research.
The A.P.E.S. Database and A.P.E.S. Wiki
The IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. Database stands as a comprehensive repository for great ape population survey data, prioritizing a pivotal role in global conservation efforts. Specifically, its objectives include centralizing ape population data, assessing habitat and conservation impacts, aiding decision-making, fostering collaboration, and promoting education on great ape conservation.
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The A.P.E.S. Wiki is a collaborative initiative by the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG) Section on Great Apes (SGA) and Section on Small Apes (SSA) to provide standardized site-based information on ape population status, threats, as well as conservation and research activities. The Wiki aims to make it easier for researchers, conservationists, and the general public to access and understand information about ape populations worldwide.
NEWS
Introducing a New Project: Strengthening the Conservation Evidence Base for Great Apes
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We are pleased to announce the commencement of a significant project, generously funded by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Over the next five years, our focus is on improving the survival outlook of great apes. Leveraging data from the IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. Database and Wiki, the project aims to develop insightful products derived from large-scale and global analyses. These products will serve to effectively communicate evidence-based conservation approaches to government decision-makers, conservation practitioners, donors, and private sector stakeholders.
For more information on this project, read our full proposal here or email us at jjunker@rewild.org
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Survey about the Institute for Great Ape Conservation Science
As we work to advance the proposal for an Institute for Great Ape Conservation Science, we want to ensure it meets the needs of all stakeholders. To do this, we're using a participatory approach to develop the Terms of Reference (ToR), starting with a survey to gather your feedback and ideas.
By taking a few moments to fill out this brief survey (available in both French and English), you can help shape the direction of this important initiative. Your insights are invaluable in making this initiative a success.Thank you for your time and input.
We’ll keep you updated on our progress in the coming months.
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Two fellowship opportunities with the A.P.E.S. Wiki
The A.P.E.S. Wiki, an initiative of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group’s Section on Great Apes, is looking for two dedicated A.P.E.S. Wiki assistants to help collect and standardize critical information on ape populations across Africa and Asia.
The A.P.E.S. Wiki is an open-access platform that centralizes up-to-date information on ape population status, threats, and conservation efforts across protected and non-protected areas. It is a vital tool for conservation planning, providing a resource for evidence-based strategies across the ape range.
Find more information here.
OUR TEAM
Vice chair for the IUCN’s Primate Specialist Group's Section on Great Apes, works on global great ape conservation. Dirck collaborates with partners to prioritize sites, actions, and best practices for gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo, and orangutan conservation. Together with Hjalmar Kühl, Dirck co-chairs the A.P.E.S. Database Working Group of the PSG-SGA and oversees the activities related to a new project funded by the US Fish & Wildlife Service to strengthen the conservation evidence base for great apes. This project aims to leverage data from the IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. Database and Wiki to develop insightful products derived from large-scale and global analyses that will help to effectively communicate evidence-based conservation approaches to government decision-makers, conservation practitioners, donors, and private sector stakeholders.
He is Head of the Zoology Department and Head of the Section Mammalogy at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz and has been researching there since 2022. Moreover, he holds the Chair of Mammal Diversity at the IHI Zittau of TU Dresden. He also co-chairs the A.P.E.S. Database Working Group of the PSG-SGA and oversees all activities relating to the A.P.E.S. Platform. Hjalmar has dedicated over 20 years to field research in Africa, investigating the behavior, ecology, and conservation of gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. His extensive research has provided valuable insights into the threats facing these endangered species and has led to the development of effective conservation strategies
Isabel Ordaz-Németh
She is a conservation biologist at Re:wild and guest researcher at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz, and manages all information currently stored in the A.P.E.S. Wiki. Isabel carefully oversees that the information on the Wiki is as accurate and complete as possible and through a project funded by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, will help conduct analyses on the effectiveness of conservation interventions and the changes in ape population trends related to the past and current threats and conservation activities.
Tene Sop
He is the manager of the IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. Database and has been serving in this position since 2014. He is an ecologist with a focus on biodiversity conservation and population ecology. He is also a consultant at Re:wild and is affiliated with the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz. With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for data accuracy, Tene oversees the daily management and organization of the A.P.E.S. Database. He ensures that the database remains a reliable and up-to-date source of information, empowering researchers, conservationists, and policymakers to make informed decisions that safeguard great apes.
Lars Kulik
He is an independent consultant and guest researcher at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz. He has played a vital role in advancing the A.P.E.S. Database and Wiki, contributing significantly to their development. He generously supplies all the necessary code for cleaning, standardizing, and extracting data from both the A.P.E.S. Database and Wiki. Furthermore, he took charge of designing the website and assumed responsibility for its maintenance, as well as overseeing the regular updates of the database report.
Jessi Junker
She is a postdoctoral researcher at Re:wild and affiliated with the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) in Leipzig, is rooted in her impactful work in Liberia, where she conducted a nationwide chimpanzee survey for her PhD. Collaborating with the Conservation Evidence team at the University of Cambridge, Jessi also led to the assessment of primate conservation effectiveness and explored the impact of the 2014/2015 West African Ebola crisis on agricultural production and livelihoods. Currently, Jessi leads a key task in a project funded by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, aiming to assess great ape conservation effectiveness and strengthen the evidence base for their preservation.
Working Group Members:
Genevieve Campbell, Susan Cheyne, Imong Inaoyom, Paul Kouame N'Goran, Rebecca Kormos, Hjalmar Kuehl, Annette Lanjouw, Fiona 'Boo" Maisels, Isabel Ordaz Nemeth, Lilian Pintea, Andrew Plumptre, Johannes Refisch, G. Tenekwetche Sop, Ciara Stafford, Jacqueline Sunderland-Groves, Serge Wich, Liz Williamson
