The 2007 ChimpanZoo Conference When Apes and Humans Communicate has undertaken a serious goal - the exploration of communication within a species and between species. Humans that encounter chimpanzees whether through a brief zoo experience or over an extended time as caregivers, researchers, or people who frequently have access to viewing chimpanzees can easily see that chimpanzees communicate through a "language" all their own. They communicate information that is visual as in facial expressions, body language denoting stress or relaxation, biological information such as pilo-erection during aggressive interactions or the sleeked-back hair of a fearful individual that is facing an angry community member, or distinct behaviors that are affiliative, aggressive, submissive, or parental in context.

We will be addressing ape and human communication from several perspectives

• Ape to ape communication
• Human to human communication
• Ape to human communication
• Human to ape communication

Our goals are to increase our understanding of chimpanzees in order to better care for them. It is essential to have an effective ability to understand the information chimpanzees are expressing to each other, to the humans around them and the information they glean from our interactions with them and from observing humans communicating with each other. More effective communication may help to reduce stress from interactions with humans especially during disputes between individuals within the chimpanzee enclosure, illness, medical procedures, the absence of a well-known caregiver and the presence of a new caregiver.

Conference Format
The 2007 ChimpanZoo Conference will have two parts of participation: the first part (October 9) is a day long meeting for ChimpanZoo coordinators during which they will be introduced to the newly reconstructed online database, learn about the design of our new online coordinators area for uploading data and administrative information and to discuss possible meaningful and necessary changes. Lastly coordinators will be discussing effective use of data.

The second part will begin October 10 and include presentations and panel discussions, a Roots and Shoots event, and a public lecture for the citizens of Wichita and surrounding area.