Orangutan Expert to Speak at Toledo Zoo
TOLEDO, Ohio— Orangutan: a word often mis-pronounced, but a creature beloved by many. The Toledo Zoo is proud to announce that Jacqueline Sunderland- Groves, primatologist, conservation biologist and deputy CEO of The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, will speak in the Indoor Theatre of the Museum of Science on Sunday, August 28 at 2:30 p.m. Sunderland-Groves presentation will focus on the increasing plight of wild orangutans and her life-long work to preserve the endangered species and their disappearing habitat. This complimentary event is open to the public. Orangutans are large, incredibly intelligent, red-colored great apes that share 97% DNA with humans. They are native to the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra and listed as critically endangered due to deforestation from the palm oil industry and the hunting of bush meat. Toledo Zoo is currently home to seven orangutans, including one year old, Wakil. The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) is an Indonesian non-profit organization founded in 1991 and dedicated to the conservation of the Bornean orangutan and its habitat, in cooperation with local communities, the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry and international partner organizations. With the help of more than 400 staff members, the organization is currently caring for and rehabilitating with the goal of releasing back into the wild 750 orangutans. Sunderland-Groves specializes in great ape ecology and conservation across west-central Africa and Asia. Prior to her tenure with BOSF, Sunderland-Groves studied and worked with Cross River gorillas in Cameroon. “We are very excited to have Jacqueline Sunderland-Groves speak at the Toledo Zoo. We hope that her presentation and passion will inspire the public to consider how their daily actions and choices can help preserve the habitat and lives of wild orangutans,” said Toledo Zoo executive director, Jeff Sailer.
Press Release Contact Name: Shayla Moriarty
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-385-5721 ext. 2155
Organization Name: The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium