The Oregon Zoo Pub Talks series, presented by Pro Photo Supply, offers a chance to hear from conservation experts in a casual setting. Each month a conservation, animal care or wildlife science professional will share their knowledge and experience saving animals across the planet, from the forests of Borneo to the skies of the Pacific Northwest. The October talk, also presented by Lumix, will feature award-winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker GLOBIO’s Gerry Ellis.
Humans have a lot in common with great apes, from our curiosity to our problem-solving skills. No one understands this connection better than award-winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gerry Ellis, whose multimedia project “Apes Like Us” explores the myths, history and issues we share with all great apes.
Created while filming across Equatorial Africa and Borneo, “Apes Like Us” journeys through remote rainforests and heartwarming orphan sanctuaries to explore the myths, history and issues we share with all great apes, and the people and organizations trying to save them. It is an entertaining, intelligent, humorous look at apes — gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans and humans alike.
“Great Apes are disappearing from the wild at an alarming rate,” said Ellis about his project. “One of our goals with ‘Apes Like Us’ is to tell their story and the story of the amazing people around the world who are trying, often against incredible odds, to rescue and save apes.”
Ellis has witnessed the rapid loss of global biodiversity and its impact on human and non-human lives firsthand. He began filming apes at Gombe Stream with Jane Goodall in 1990, and he has published works with National Geographic, BBC Wildlife and many more.
Tickets cost $15, doors open at 6 p.m. and the talk begins at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A.
The event is located at the Oregon Zoo Cascade Crest Ballroom. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
