By
cris angel
Love your
iPad?
So do Orangutans, apparently. That’s right, orangutans make use of
technology too, at least in twelve zoos across the United States and
Canada they do. The program is called “Apps for Apes” and basically sets
to give about fifteen to thirty minutes of iPad time to Orangutans,
twice a week.
So what do orangutans do with their iPads? Many of the same things as
we do, actually. They watch YouTube videos and play games. The time
allotted depends a lot of their behavior and attention span during the
iPad session. The games involved are generally similar to what many
children play on the iPad- such as matching games, painting and music.
Zookeepers also are looking into the idea of using communication apps
to allow the orangutans a way to better “speak” their minds. For
example, if an orangutang has a toothache they can tap a picture of a
tooth and communicate the problem. Apparently, even one intelligent
orangutan in Florida makes use of the iPad by navigating the touchscreen
with her feet, because she happens to be armless.
While the program doesn’t replace other interaction programs for
physical stimulation, it’s a great way to mentally challenge these great
creatures. For those that don’t realize it, orangutangs are really very
smart- about the same intelligence level as a small child. Having apps
that can engage and challenge them is great.
One thing worth noting is that, at the moment, the zookeepers work
with the orangutangs to handle the iPads- due to the frail nature of
electronic devices compared to the massive strength of an orangutang.
The program behind the “Apps for Apes” is hoping to eventually develop
sturdier cases that might make them more resistant to accidental damage.
At the moment this program is limited to the US and Canada, and
relies on iPad donations. “Apps for Apes” does hope to expand soon to
zoos across the globe, including New Zealand, Japan, Europe and
Australia.
This is a really cool idea, that goes without saying. A word of
caution though, it starts with orangutangs using iPads, then speaking,
next thing we know it:
Planet of the Apes.
[
source ]
