They’re very similar to humans — but can they game like us too? Katie Cincotta meets some orangutans at Melbourne Zoo who are doing just that.
In a world-first research project at Melbourne Zoo, orangutans got hands-on with the Microsoft Xbox Kinect. Did it involve the gang of six red-haired great apes in a Just Dance battle of the moves? Or were the super-strong primates scoring goals as Rinaldo on FIFA 2016?
Not yet, but the ground-breaking tech experiment might just evolve into something that exciting. If the trial is successful, within a few years the orangutans could be playing digital games with visitors, which would make for some pretty awesome exchanges and a chance for the orangutans to show off their unique personalities. Microsoft’s research centre, Melbourne University and the zoo initially teamed up to study how highly intelligent orangutans — who share 97 per cent of human DNA — interact with technology. Visitors were able to watch them in action throughout February, during 9.30-11am sessions in the treetop home of the orangutan sanctuary.
As the largest tree-living mammals in the world, these “people of the forest” are critically endangered because of the destruction of rainforest habitat. It’s estimated that less than 3500 of them are left in the wild. International breeding programs in captivity, such as the one at Melbourne Zoo, are helping protect the beautiful big-eyed primate.
Orangutans are smart, social, curious, playful animals whose instinct is to problem solve. In the wild they need to forage for food, seek out shelter and find a mate to survive. “In a zoo environment, all of these challenges are overcome for them,” says Zoos Victoria’s animal welfare specialist Dr Sally Sherwen. “So zoos need to find other ways to provide animals with mental challenges and puzzles.”
While the zookeepers have provided painting, musical instruments and puzzles to help enrich and stimulate the daily life of the orangutans, they’re now exploring the use of technology as a way to enhance their environment.
Woops! Did you want to read the whole article on Orangutans and technology? You should have read PETS issue 58! Subscribe to the magazine here so you don’t miss out on any more awesome stories.
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