Three peaks, three keepers; on a mission to help save apes

Three daring keepers from Bristol Zoo Gardens will be tackling the three highest mountains in Britain next week, to raise money for apes.

Robert Rouse, Simon Butler and Mathew Richards aim to complete the demanding ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - in 24 hours.

The trio are scaling the three summits in support of a campaign to raise awareness and help protect endangered apes in the wild, and will take it in turns to wear a gorilla suit at the summit of each of the three mountains.

There are currently six species of great apes and 16 species of gibbons, all under threat from hunting, deforestation and disease. Without awareness and funding to tackle the problems facing these species, they could become extinct.  

Rob Rouse, overseer of mammals at Bristol Zoo, has worked with apes and monkeys for 11 years. He said: “We’re looking forward to this exciting challenge, it will be tough but we’ve trained hard and feel well prepared. It’s great to be able to do something to help raise funds and awareness for these amazing creatures.”

The three will begin their challengeat the foot of Ben Nevis in Western Scotland, which is 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) high, at 5:00pm on Wednesday, August 25.

The ‘Ape Campaign’ is being run by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), led by Dr Bryan Carroll, the soon-to-be new Director of Bristol Zoo.

Mathew, Robert and Simon are now appealing for donations and sponsorship for their challenge. For more information, and to show your support, please visit the Zoo website http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/3-guys-3-peaks-saving-apes-together to make a donation. You can also visit their Facebook page to follow their progress at www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-zoos-Three-peaks-Three-guyschallenge/130470673657389?ref=ts.

To find out more about how you can help raise money for Bristol Zoo’s conservation work contact Lizy Jones on ljones@bristolzoo.org.ukor by phone on 0117 974 7329.

ENDS

For press enquiries please contact Bristol Zoo’s press office:

Lucy Parkinson, T: 0117 974 7306, or email: lparkinson@bristolzoo.org.uk    

Vanessa Hollier, T: 0117 974 7309, or email: vhollier@bristolzoo.org.uk    

Notes to editors

Bristol Zoo Gardens

• Bristol Zoo Gardens is an education and conservation charity and relies on the income from visitors to support its work. 
• Throughout 2010 Bristol Zoo will be running a series of events to highlight the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity, as part of the international Year of Biodiversity. For more information visit the Zoo website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/conservation/campaigns/iyob
• To find out more about the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity visit the website at www.biodiversityislife.net
• Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day. 
• The Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species. 
• Itemploys 140 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work. 
• Bristol Zoo Gardens supports – through finance and skill sharing – 15 projects in the UK and abroad that conserveand protectsome of the world’s most endangered species.
• Bristol Zoo Gardens is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.
• In 2010, International Year of Biodiversity, Bristol Zoo Gardens set up a Conservation Fund to raise vital funds to help care for threatened animals and plants – both in the Zoo and through the conservation work we do in the UK and around the world.