Humans aren't the only species on the planet with a penchant for electronic gadgets. Zookeepers across the United States and Canada are discovering that apes also get excited about apps. As part of a program called Apps for Apes, 12 zoos across the two countries have been incorporating iPads into the enrichment time allotted for orangutans, the giant furry red primates native to Indonesia and Malaysia.
"We're finding that, similar to people, they like touching the
tablet, watching short videos of David Attenborough for instance, and
looking at other animals and orangutans," said Richard Zimmerman,
founding director of Orangutan Outreach, the New York City-based
non-profit that runs the program.
Orangutans are provided with access to the tablets twice a week with the
animals spending 15 minutes to a half hour using different apps
depending on their attention span.
Apps geared towards children that stimulate activities such as
painting, music and memory games are among the most popular apps with
the apes.
At the Toronto Zoo, zookeeper Matthew Berridge uses apps such as
Doodle Buddy for drawing, Montessori Counting Board and Activity Memo
Pocket, a memory game, in addition to playing YouTube videos for the
apes.
"It's a lot like when we're showing children pop-up books," said
Zimmerman, adding that the orangutans are among the most intelligent
primates, with the intelligence level of a young child.
Zookeepers are also investigating how communication apps, such as
those for the autistic, can help the animals to express themselves
better, according to Zimmerman.
"Let's say an orangutan has a toothache. He or she would be able to
then tap on the iPad on a picture of a tooth and communicate it that
way," he explained.
One very intelligent, but armless, orangutan at the Center for Great
Apes in Wauchula, Florida is so intent on using the device that she uses
her feet to navigate through the touchscreens.
"When you see the enjoyment and focus on their faces it's special,
especially for orangutans who are in an enclosure all day and you're
providing enrichment for them," said Zimmerman.
Because the tablets are so fragile the zookeepers handle the apps
while the animals navigate the touchscreen, but the organization is
investigating creating larger, more rugged casings.
The program, which is not meant to replace physical stimulation or
climbing, also aims to raise awareness about the threats orangutans face
in the wild.
"We're hoping that in that moment we can make a breakthrough with
(zoo visitors] and say, 'Listen, these are beautiful animals that are
obviously curious and intelligent and not too far from us and this is
what they're dealing with in the wild,'" said Zimmerman.
Orangutans are critically endangered because of the rapid
deforestation and expansion of palm oil plantations into their
rainforest homes, he added.
The program, which relies on donated iPads, will soon be expanding to zoos across Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Europe.
REUTERS