Apes in this Wisconsin Zoo use iPads to communicate with their primate friends
on December 29th, 2011 4 
After taking the human race by storm, Apple is all set to rock the Planet of Apes.
The Apple-friendly apes in the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin use Apple iPads – to play games, watch videos and to create their very own digital masterpiece. Soon, they would be provided with wi-fi access that would allow them to communicate with orangutans in the other zoos.
Conservationist Richard Zimmerman, from the US-based charity Orangutan Outreach introduced orangutans to simple apps on the iPad to add a “bit of fun” to their otherwise mundane days at the zoo. These tech-savvy animals get to use the devices for two short periods every week. He also hopes to raise awareness and funds to support the wild animals facing extinction, through this experiment
“The original idea came literally when Steve Jobs gave his opening presentation introducing the iPad. Independently, one of our supporters in Milwaukee was at the zoo showing the orangutan his iPad, and they were fascinated by it. We started to put things together,” Zimmerman tells the BBC.
The animals according to Mr Zimmerman, are captivated by moving images, bright things, and love watching other apes on screen.
“They love new things, so one of the first things we’re going to do to incorporate that is make sure the facilities have wi-fi capabilities so that the orangutans can actually have access to unlimited information – of course with the keepers guiding them,” he adds.
Currently, zoo keepers hold the iPads, while the animals reach through the enclosure bars and interact with simple gestures. The zoo is looking to fix the device to a wall so it could in turn be hooked to a large projector viewable by zoo visitors. In addition to this, developers are also putting together apps for the orangutans, similar to those found in the software aimed at young children.
While these gadget-using apes offer a fun diversion for zoo visitors, Zimmerman adds that none of the money that had been donated by the public to Orangutan Outreach has been spent on iPads – and that, this new initiative does not deflect them from the goal of protecting animals facing extinction.
-
iPads and Macs Sell Like Hotcakes, iPads Almost Ou... -
Indian MPs encouraged to use iPads... -
Interesting discussion about next generation ipads... -
iPads by Apple available in India, at last!... -
Apple iPad 2 Production Begins: Report...
comments rss