The Toronto Zoo is struggling? There’s an app for that. Well, for the orangutans, at least.
According to the Toronto Star, the zoo’s orangutans are at “the top of the list” to receive a donated iPad to prevent them from, you know, going ape.
Orangutan Outreach, a conservation group, is spearheading this ‘Apps for Apes’ program to prevent boredom in captivity, while raising funds for native orangutans in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Last year, the group launched their iPad program at the Milwaukee Zoo to much acclaim, and is extending the program to other zoos in Atlanta and Houston.
“It’s incredibly exciting,” says Richard Zimmerman, the founder and director of Orangutan Outreach. “Orangutans like to paint and they’re capable of using this digital device. [And] there’s no paint to eat.’’
Once the iPads are dispersed to different zoos, Zimmerman hopes the orangutans will communicate with each other through the video chat app. Seriously.
This tech-savvy attraction could be good news for the Toronto Zoo, a city institution that is hemorrhaging attendance and funds, while drowning in bad press. Last year, the zoo recorded a five per cent loss in visitors, 67,000 less, marking its second straight year of declining numbers. The zoo is also bracing itself for the loss of their elephants, come April.
But the zoo may need more than a tech gimmick to stay afloat. After adding a popular Endangered African Penguin exhibit last year, visitors were still hesitant to make the trek out to Meadowvale.
"Attendance at the entire zoo is still down,” says Deserrai Buunk, the Endangered African Penguin keeper. “Penguin exhibits that opened [in the past couple years] brought in extra guests and that didn’t happen for us.”
Zoo staff are hoping this Orangutan initiative will be more than a big draw, and will also stimulate their apes. A Toronto Zoo spokeswoman says the donated iPads will support the orangutan enrichment initiative. Zoo staff have been working alongside York University animal behaviour expert Suzanne MacDonald to build a roster of primate-friendly apps.
Much like watching Koko, sign-language speaking gorilla, paint a portrait, what is more fun than watching an animal 'monkey around' with a new gadget?
“Unscientifically speaking, they show recognition the same as we do — their eyes light up," says Zimmerman. "[The orangutan] really demonstrated recognition.’’
If the Toronto Zoo orangutans do indeed receive the iPads, expect the entire city to turn green with Apple envy.
Shenanigans.
No word yet on whether RIM will propose a 'seriously sexy' Playbook 2.0 counter-offer.
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Joanna Adams writes the Morning Cable, and lots more (especially about entertainment), for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at @nowstarringTO.
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