This talk will explore the 20-year history and development of the IUCN APES database, a unique repository for population survey data on chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans. We will outline the entire workflow of the APES database, from data requests to data storage, based on a simple folder structure created with the R programming language. This structure is efficient for accommodating the various types of data associated with ape research and conservation, including both tabular and spatial datasets. We will share insights on the switch from a relational database to the current structure, lessons learned, and the collaborative frameworks that support the APES project. We also look forward to receiving feedback from conference participants at this meeting.
