2012-03-02

Apps For Apes

FaceTime for Apes: Orangutans Use iPads to Video Chat With Friends In Other Zoos | Popular Science

Orangutans living in captivity will soon start using iPads for primate play-dates, using Skype or FaceTime to interact with their brethren in other zoos, according to zookeepers. The great apes have been playing with iPads for about six months at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and they’ve been such a hit that other zoos plan to introduce them, too.

Apps For Apes | redapes.org

APPLES FOR ORANGS
An Orangutan Enrichment Program using iPads

The Apple iPad is a perfect device for orangutans, as their innate ability to work with touchscreen technology has already been demonstrated in facilities such as Zoo Atlanta and the Smithsonian National Zoo. With proper guidance, orangutans will be able to use their devices just like humans do-- to spend their time doing things that they enjoy. They will have access to music, games, movies, cartoons, art, painting, drawing, photos and videos. Among other things, they will be able to see photos and videos of other orangutans.




Apps for Apes (A4A) | redapes.org

Long-time Orangutan Outreach friend and supporter Scott Engel is doing his part to make the Planet of the Apes a reality...

Here Scott and Trish Khan are working with MJ and little Mahal on their iPad.




Apps for Apes seeks iPads for Toronto Zoo - Toronto - CBC News

“What we’re hoping with the Toronto Zoo is that we’ll be able to get them some iPads so they can have some enrichment sessions, and paint and play games and have fun,” he said.

He said the iPads can be put into a special casing so they can’t be damaged over-enthusiastic orangutans. In Milwaukee, the orangutans operate the devices through a fence to prevent damage.

Zimmerman said the next step is for someone to step forward and donate iPads for use at the Toronto Zoo. He’s hoping corporate donors, Apple in particular, might step up.

"We're hoping to really show them that their tool can be something that helps save the orangutans in the wild while entertaining and providing enrichment for orangutans in zoos."


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