The
Zoo had to raise the funds and plan the world-class primate facility.
Led by Dr. Andy Baker (Curator of primates) and Mr. Alexander
"Pete" Hoskins (Zoo President), this facility advances
the world standard for primate facilities. It was a huge undertaking,
involving the architects, animal staff, education department,
and a host of others.
The animal behavior folks got the easy part. The West Chester University team's connection to the Primate Reserve project is two-fold. First, as the coordinator for animal behavior research projects in the new facility, Dr. Michael Renner has worked in parallel with the facility's design and construction process, consulting with zoo staff about behavior questions for which they need observational data, and developing research procedures that will provide scientifically useful information at the same time the zoo gets the management data it needs.
Second,
as a member of the Primate Reserve Advisory Committee, Dr. Renner
has served as a consultant on development of educational materials
to make the most of this new facility for conservation education
and animal behavior education. Several school-based lessons, zoo-based
lessons, and an interactive computer game will be available to
use this facility as a springboard for science education., especially
conservation.
For a virtual tour of
the completed facility, visit the Zoo's Peco Primate Reserve web
site
