Use of Interactive Technology in Captive Great Ape Management

Abstract

The conservation status of great apes (chimpanzees Pan troglodytes, gorillas Gorilla sp., orangutans Pongo sp., and bonobos Pan paniscus) is grave and zoological institutions are vital for maintaining numbers of these species and educating the public about their importance. Technology provides tools that can assist zoos in meeting these objectives. However, the extant research on technology use in zoos is potentially constrained by small sample sizes and there is no framework detailing the methodologies necessary for the successful incorporation of technology into great ape management. Therefore, this study aimed to determine current technology use in the management of captive great apes and whether technology-directed behaviour differs between ape genera. Primary carers of great apes in zoos were surveyed using a 43-question, online questionnaire. The purpose of integrating interactive technology into captive ape management was primarily for enrichment (53% of respondents), followed by research (20% of respondents). However, only 25% of respondents had apes directly engaged with technology. There were no differences in technology-directed behaviours between ape genera. By identifying differences in practice, this research marks the initial stage in developing a best practice framework for using technology.

Do chimpanzees enjoy a virtual forest? A pilot investigation of the use of interactive art as a form of environmental enrichment for zoo‐housed chimpanzees

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Orangutan strategies for solving a visuospatial memory task

“…The Concentration Game was chosen for this study because of its suitability as a means of examining orangutan visuospatial memory and decision‐making processes, but beyond research, we would like to note that the study's daily cognitive sessions benefitted the zoo, its animals, and its visitors in additional ways. The continued expansion of primatology research using computerized tasks at zoos can be bolstered by scenarios where research positively coincides with animal management and guest experience considerations (Coe & Hoy, 2020; Ford et al, 2021). The present study engaged the orangutans intellectually and gave them daily opportunities to learn and problem solve.…”

Farmers’ Perspectives of the Benefits and Risks in Precision Livestock Farming in the EU Pig and Poultry Sectors

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