May 2, 2003
Contact: Patricia Bury (509-963-2454/fax 509-963-2234/e-mail: buryp@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Chimpanzee and Human Communication
Institute (CHCI) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of
its state-of-the-art chimpanzee sanctuary located on the Ellensburg
campus of Central Washington University.
The opening of the facility made it possible for the
institute to begin offering “Chimposiums” to university and K-12
students, and the general public from the U.S. and worldwide.
“During the past 10 years, nearly 60,000 visitors have
learned about Washoe and her chimpanzee family and their use of the
signs of American Sign Language (ASL),” Patricia Bury, CHCI outreach
coordinator, says. “During Chimposiums, and other education programs
offered through the institute, visitors learn about the important
observational research conducted here.”
The first and longest-running project of its kind,
Chimposiums are one-hour programs presented by staff members or
volunteer “docents,” a cross-section of university students and local
citizens. In general, Chimposiums are offered to the public from
March through November on Saturdays at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. and on
Sundays at 12:30 and 2 p.m. Tuition is $10 for adults and $7.50 for
students.
It costs more than $200,000 annually to maintain the
chimpanzees and the research. The money is raised through Chimposiums,
donations, foundation grants and other fund-raising endeavors.
At CWU, CHCI has roots dating back to June 1980, when
co-directors Roger and Debbi Fouts brought their sign language research
project -- and five chimpanzees -- to Ellensburg.
Their first facility was located on the third floor of the university’s
Psychology Building, where the chimpanzees shared 300 square feet of
living space.
While the accommodations were called a step up over their
previous conditions, the chimpanzees were still confined indoors, with
minimal exercise and stimulation.
CHCI was officially founded in 1991, and, on May 10, 1993,
the institute moved into its new on-campus building, on the corner of
Dean Nicholson Boulevard and D Street. The 7,000 square foot facility
includes 5,400 square feet of ground area covered in grass and
vegetation, allowing the chimpanzees to explore and play. Above that
is a vertical climbing area, covered by a three-story-high, open-air
mesh roof. The $2.3 million facility, funded by the state legislature
and “Friends of Washoe,” includes sleeping cages, a kitchen and laundry
facility, along with office and research space.
Other than for maintenance, cleaning or medical care, humans
don’t set foot in the chimpanzees’ recreation area The chimpanzees
are allowed to live – to the greatest extent possible – naturally.
Other than eating and sleeping inside, the chimpanzees are free to do
what they want, where they want.
Additional information about CHCI and its programs is
available online at www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci and www.friendsofwashoe.org,
or by calling (509) 963-2244, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509)
963-2143.
