Showing cell phone videos of gorillas can lead them to fight and bully each other, according to a primate expert.
The intelligent creatures could compete with each other for spots to watch videos shown to them by humans through glass enclosures, the conservationist told Web.
This comes after a Toronto zoo asked visitors to stop showing the gorillas their phones, saying it “upsets them” and “affects their relationships”.
The zoo keepers urged the public not to show them videos or photos as some content could be disturbing and affect their well-being.
Ian Redmond OBE, tropical field biologist and conservationist, explained that showing the gorilla videos on mobile phones “can create tension in the group and the zoo wants to keep the peace”.
Redmond said, “Smartphones are enticing and given the life of a captive monkey in social and sensory deprivation, it will be attractive to them.”
The zoo’s decision came after videos of gorillas in their enclosures fascinated by cellphones went viral.
In response, the sign posted by the Toronto Zoo read: “For the welfare of the gorilla squad, please do not show them videos or photos as some content may be disturbing and affect their relationships and behavior within their family.”
Web spoke to Ian Redmond OBE, a tropical field biologist and conservationist, to find out why this might be the case.
He said, “The phone brings an environmental enrichment to its case.”
“When you have to keep animals in captivity, you can’t add just one enrichment to the environment, as this will lead to arguments, fighting and social unrest.” That’s the N+1 rule.”
“N” stands for the animal and “one” for the enrichment, so there should be an enrichment option for each animal in the pen.
He continued, “This is also evident in human prisons.” Zoos need more than an asset when the phones are rolled out.
He explained that showing the gorilla videos on mobile phones “can create tension in the group and the zoo wants to keep the peace.”
Redmond is known for his work with gorillas and has been involved in more than 50 documentaries on the subject for the BBC, National Geographic and Discovery Channel
“Any individual who might be interested in the device should be able to do so without being bullied by others.”
“Smartphones are enticing and given the life of a captive monkey in social and sensory deprivation, it will be attractive to them.”
“If you’re stuck in the same enclosure, it will be interesting to see photos of new faces.”
Redmond is known for his work with gorillas and has been involved in more than 50 documentaries on the subject for the BBC, National Geographic and Discovery Channel.
He believes the zoo is temporarily banning this interaction “to prevent competition between the gorillas to get the seat they want and get to look at the phone.”
However, he believes there “should be a better way to deal with this in the long run, as it’s a shame to take that positive communication away from them”.
“It’s an example of the cognitive abilities of gorillas, which is fascinating when you watch their reactions to the phones,” Redmond continues.
“It’s a very clear communication between beings, which is why it’s gone viral – it’s obviously fascinating that they’re so understanding.”
“The gorilla made as much eye contact with the person as he did with the phone – the communication was revealing as it is something the public may not have seen before.”
A primate expert has found that showing gorillas cell phone videos can lead them to fight and bully each other
Redmond believes the zoo is temporarily banning this interaction “to prevent competition between the gorillas to get the seat they want and get to look at the phone.”
He also believes that once the public sees how intelligent gorillas are and how well they communicate, they may think they don’t belong in zoos: “Through these viral videos, the public has the opportunity to see how these two creatures communicate.” see.”
“When they see how intelligent they are, they begin to realize: Shouldn’t they be in a quiet sanctuary without people banging on the glass?”
“The public is starting to question the ethics.” Personally, I think animals like gorillas have a job in the forest that’s better suited to the species they have there.
“By keeping them in zoos, we don’t respect the order of the ecosystem.”
However, he adds that “the stimulation of the phone and the person is a positive and fascinating thing for the individual gorilla.”
He also believes that once the public sees how intelligent gorillas are and how well they communicate, they may think they don’t belong in zoos
In video captured at the Louisville Zoo, we see the gorilla Jelani watching a guest swipe through pictures on his phone.
We see him sitting next to the glass of the case, mesmerized by the device as he watches the guest swipe through the photos and asks, “Do you like that?”
Maria Franke, director of wildlife conservation and welfare at the Toronto Zoo, told The Toronto Star that one of her gorillas, named Nassir, is “distracted and not interacting with the other gorillas.” He was just so excited about gadgets, phones and the videos.
Another Chicago zoo was forced to install a rope a few feet from the glass partition of its gorilla enclosure to prevent people from showing their phones to the animals.
The Toronto Zoo was contacted for comment.