At the Toronto Zoo, visitors are being asked to keep their phones to themselves when visiting the gorilla enclosure. The zoo has put up signs around the gorilla habitat, urging guests to avoid showing videos or photos to the apes. The reason? It turns out that too much screen time could disrupt the gorillas’ natural behaviours and affect their relationships within the troop.
Nassir: The Teenage Gorilla with a Tech Obsession
Nassir, a 13-year-old gorilla at the zoo, has become particularly fascinated by the videos visitors show him. Described as the “epitome of a teenager” by the zoo staff, Nassir could easily spend hours glued to a screen if given the chance. According to Maria Franke, the zoo’s director of wildlife conservation and welfare, Nassir’s interest in videos has been so intense that it’s begun to interfere with his interactions with other gorillas.
The Zoo’s Plea: Let Gorillas Be Gorillas
Hollie Ross, the behavioural husbandry supervisor at the Toronto Zoo, explained that while they haven’t noticed any significant changes in behaviour yet, they want to prevent potential issues before they arise. “We just want the gorillas to be able to be gorillas,” Ross said, emphasising the importance of allowing these animals to engage in natural behaviours without the distraction of human technology.
Not Just Toronto: A Growing Concern Across Zoos
This isn’t the first time zoos have had to address the issue of primates and screen time. Last year, the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago installed a rope barrier to prevent visitors from showing videos to a gorilla named Amare, who had become so absorbed in the screens that his behaviour began to change. Similar concerns have been raised at the San Diego Zoo, where officials have also discouraged visitors from distracting gorillas with their phones.
The Bottom Line: Keep It Natural
The underlying message from the Toronto Zoo is clear: when visiting, let the gorillas be themselves. Instead of trying to connect with them through screens, guests are encouraged to observe the gorillas engaging in their natural behaviours. After all, it’s these authentic moments that offer the most profound connection with these incredible creatures.
Screens For Research Purposes
In a fascinating study conducted in Japan, researchers explored the memory capabilities of chimpanzees compared to humans through a number-sequencing game. The experiment involved young chimps and university students, who were tasked with recalling and correctly sequencing numbers that appeared on a screen for a brief moment before being masked. Astonishingly, the chimps outperformed their human counterparts, demonstrating remarkable short-term memory skills. The most impressive of these chimps, Ayumu, became famous for his ability to recall the sequences with near-perfect accuracy, even when the numbers were displayed for just a fraction of a second. This study challenges traditional views on human cognitive superiority, suggesting that our closest living relatives might have evolved specific memory abilities that surpass even our own.
As we increasingly rely on smartphones for quick bursts of information, entertainment, and social interaction, our brains are becoming accustomed to rapidly switching focus from one piece of content to another. This habit can erode our ability to concentrate for extended periods, making it harder to engage in deep, sustained thought. In contrast, the chimpanzees in the memory study, unburdened by such distractions, demonstrate a level of focus that allows them to excel in tasks requiring short-term memory. This suggests that while technology offers convenience, it might also be compromising our natural cognitive strengths, underscoring the importance of mindful usage to preserve our mental faculties.
Return to Monke
The “Return to Monke” movement is a tongue-in-cheek internet phenomenon that taps into a nostalgic longing for a simpler, more primal existence. Originating as a meme, it playfully advocates for abandoning the complexities of modern life in favour of embracing a more primitive, carefree way of living, much like our distant ancestors. This movement, often illustrated with images of apes and references to “rejecting humanity” in favour of a more instinctual life, has gained traction as a form of humorous social commentary. While it’s all in good fun, “Return to Monke” resonates with those who feel overwhelmed by the pressures of contemporary society, highlighting a desire to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature in a world that often feels increasingly complicated.
