Anne E. Russon is aCanadian psychologist and primatologist. She is a researcher and Professor of Psychology atGlendon College,York University,Toronto, Ontario, Canada whose research focuses on learning andintelligence in ex-captiveBornean orangutans.[1] Russon is widely published in the fields of primate behavior andecology,[2] is executive director of the Borneo Orangutan Society of Canada,[3] and is the author of several popular press books dealing withGreat Apes includingOrangutans: Wizards of the Rainforest,[4]Reaching into Thought: The Minds of the Great Apes,[5] andThe Evolution of Thought: Evolution of Great Ape Intelligence.[6]
Russon received her doctorate at the University of Montreal, and her Masters and York University in Toronto, where she currently teaches.[7] Before she began to study orangutans, Russon had experience working with chimpanzees in laboratory settings.[4] It was there that she developed an interest in great ape intelligence, especially studying them outside of captivity.[4] Since 1989, Russon has been studying Bornean orangutan intelligence.[8]
Russon began to study orangutans because she felt that they had been neglected in previous research on great ape intelligence, despite growing evidence of their complexity.[4] Her choice to study ex-captives was born out of several factors. First, the lifestyle of wild orangutans was not conducive to up-close study.[4] Also, captive orangutans are often mistreated, and therefore emotionally or mentally damaged, making them inadequate study subjects.[4] Ex-captives, however, could be studied closely, since they were familiar with humans, yet they were more well-functioning and healthy than those in captivity.[4]
Russon’s work has focused on conservation efforts. She is executive director of the Borneo Orangutan Society of Canada, a charitable organization which supports orangutan conservation efforts in Indonesia and Malaysia.[3] She is also a part of the advisory boards for other orangutan support organizations, including Alchemy Films, Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation–Indonesia, the Orangutan Conservancy, and Orangutan Network.[3] She also runs “Orangutan Sanctuary”, a webpage meant to provide resources for professionals interested in orangutan conservation.[1]
During her Tenure at York, Russon has been recognized with several awards from the university. In 2017, Russon was awarded with York’s President’s Research Excellence Award, meant to recognize full-time professors at York university for their positive impact on York’s reputation, and on the university community.[9] Russon was also awarded with the 2018 Distinguished Research Professorship for her research contributions.[10]
Russon is known for her work on primate cognition with Bornean orangutans.
In 1993, Russon published an article with co-author Birute M Galdikas, titledImitation in free-ranging rehabilitate orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus).[11]
In 1996, Russon edited a book titledReaching into thought: The minds of the great apes. In this book, field and laboratory researchers show that the Great Apes are capable of thinking at symbolic levels, traditionally considered uniquely human.[5]
In 1998, Russon published an article with coauthor Richard W. Byrne titledLearning by Imitation: A hierarchical approach.[12]
In 1999, Russon published a nonfiction book titledOrangutans: Wizards of the Rainforest. The book included a brief history on the Orangutans, as well as current issues related to the rehabilitation of these primates. In the book, Russon detailed her experiences working with and rehabilitating ex-captive orangutans.[4]
Russon contributed to the 2002 documentary The Disenchanted Forest.[13]
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