NOVA TV Program - The Last Great Ape

On Tuesday February 13, 2007 at 8:00 PM eastern time, public television stations will broadcast a NOVA program entitled The Last Great Ape. This program will feature the Bonobo, which is also known as the Pygmy Chimpanzee. A Congo expedition examines the life of these gentle creatures, who often settle disputes by having sex rather than fighting. Listed below is an excerp from the Nova website:

"Bonobos help us to see ourselves more in the round," says Frans de Waal, a primatologist at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta. In particular, he says, we can learn as much about human evolution and behavior by studying the sensitive, peace-loving bonobo as by studying the more violent chimpanzee—both of which share more than 98 percent of our DNA. In this interview, de Waal explains what the ape he calls the "make-love-not-war" primate can teach us about who we are—and why, for this reason alone, it's vital to protect this highly endangered close relative of ours.

You can read the complete interview with Frans deWaal at Frans de Waal - Nova Interview. Dr. de Waal has written a number of fascinating books, including Chimpanzee Politics and Our Inner Ape. Note: I only list these Amazon.com websites for the readers' convenience. I am not compensated by Amazon.com for providing this information.

I am certain that this will be a compelling program. After watching it, I invite viewers to send your comments to Monkey Prose.