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.
Highlights
Five of the seven great apes are listed as critically endangered (Western gorilla Gorilla gorilla, Eastern gorilla Gorilla beringei, Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii, Bornean orangutanPongo pygmaeus, and Tapanuli orangutan Pongo tapanuliensis), while the remaining two are endangered [1]
The primary aim of this research was to determine how interactive technology is used in zoological institutions across the globe and how they include it in ape exhibitions
The survey questions were categorised into three sections: (1) participants’ attitudes towards providing and using technology in captive great ape management; (2) current practices used by zoos to incorporate technology in ape management and; (3) captive apes’ interaction with technology that is currently provided by zoos
Summary
Five of the seven great apes are listed as critically endangered (Western gorilla Gorilla gorilla, Eastern gorilla Gorilla beringei, Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii, Bornean orangutanPongo pygmaeus, and Tapanuli orangutan Pongo tapanuliensis), while the remaining two are endangered (chimpanzee Pan troglodytes and bonobo Pan paniscus) [1]. Zoological institutions are instrumental in educating the public about these species and in turn raising money and support for their conservation. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) promotes four overarching goals of modern zoos: an increase in animal welfare, enhancing public engagement, contributing to wildlife research, and improving wildlife conservation [3]. It is important to consider integrating technological tools into ape collections as they have the potential to help zoological institutions meet the goals of the AZA and zoological organisations globally [4]. Technology is used to improve animal welfare as it can increase control and choice for the captive apes and create more cognitively complex environments [5]. Animal research at zoological institutions can incorporate technology to allow for non-invasive behavioural tests [6]. Technology can improve visitor engagement and public education [7]
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