Lincoln Park Zoo Mourns Loss Of World Renowned Chimp And Ape Expert

CHICAGO — Lincoln Park Zoo officials are mourning the unexpected death of one of the world’s leading experts on chimpanzees and apes and a beloved member of the zoo’s staff since 2012.

Steve Ross, who had served as the director of the zoo’s Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study of Conservation of Apes since 2012, died recently, according to the zoo, which made the announcement last week.

Ross’ career at Lincoln Park Zoo began in 2000 and during his life, he helped rescue and secure safe homes for countless chimps inappropriately housed in unaccredited institutions or as pets, the zoo said in social media post. Ross oversaw the zoo’s efforts to conserve chimpanzees and gorillas in the Republic of Congo. He conducted hundreds of studies and published widely on a vast range of species, but his primary focus was protecting chimpanzees, both in the wild and in accredited zoos and sanctuaries.

Among his many accomplishments, through Project ChimpCARE, the zoon said Ross conducted advocacy to ensure all chimpanzees - those in the wild and in captivity - would be included on the Endangered Species List, effectively ending the chimpanzee pet trade. His research has also helped the global zoo community better understand how the use of chimpanzees and other wild animals in entertainment can negatively affect their welfare and conservation outcomes. Steve's behavioral research also took tangible form at Lincoln Park Zoo as it led to the design of the zoo's award-winning Regenstein Center for African Apes.

“Steve’s devotion to his work and his compassion for animals was immeasurable and invaluable,” zoo officials said in the social media post. “He leaves behind a loving family, countless friends and colleagues across the world, the animals he came to love and admire, and a large body of research that has done so much to protect some of the world’s most intelligent and fascinating creatures. He will be greatly missed by all of us.”

Anyone who would like to make a tribute gift in Steve's honor, the family requests that donations are made to Chimp Haven, the Louisiana chimpanzee sanctuary he so loved, or the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, to ensure Ross’s work can continue at Lincoln Park Zoo. Donations to the Fisher Center can be made via the Lincoln Park Zoo website, with the specifications of Fisher Center/Dr. Steve Ross is in the tribute section.