A local army commander also died in the crash, the cause of which is being investigated. Sivan�s body will be flown to Israel for burial.

African sanctuary officials expressed shock and sadness at the death of Sivan, whose passion and commitment to Cameroon�s wildlife helped make the Ape Action Africa sanctuary a first-rate facility for orphaned chimpanzees, gorillas, and other endangered primates.

Ape Action Africa � which was founded as the Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund (CWAF) in 1997 before witching its name two years ago � is a charter member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA).

PASA is deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Sivan, and our sympathy goes out to his family,� said Doug Cress, executive director of PASA. �He was a true friend of not only conservation, but of wildlife protection, and he often went out of his way to extend a helping hand to primates in need. He was a wonderful man, and he will be profoundly missed.�

Sivan is survived by his wife, Talila.

Sivan was a former commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ elite Duvdevan unit, and served as a security advisor for the Government of Cameroon and President Paul Biya. Among other duties, he was in charge of the training of Cameroon’s famous presidential guard brigade unit.

The circumstances of the crash near the capital city of Yaound� are unclear. According to local reports, the crash took place as Sivan was making his way to the city of Bamenda to supervise soldiers of the Cameroon military’s elite unit. The unit’s commander was also killed in the accident.

More than 250 apes and monkeys reside at Ape Action Africa, which is situated in the Mefou National Park near Yaounde. PASA has staged numerous workshops and events in Cameroon, including the PASA 2010 management Workshop last May.

PASA was founded in 2000 to unite the primate rescue and rehabilitation centers across Africa that care for chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, drills and other endangered species. For more information, please visit PASA or write PASAapes@aol.com.