The conservation status of great apes (chimpanzees Pan Troglodytes, gorillas Gorilla sp., orangutans Pongo sp., and bonobos Pan paniscus) is grave and zoological institutions are vital for maintaining numbers of these species and educating the public about their importance. Technology provides tools that can assist zoos in meeting these objectives. However, the extant research on technology use in zoos is potentially constrained by small sample sizes and there is no framework detailing the methodologies necessary for the successful incorporation of technology into great ape management. Therefore, this study aimed to determine current technology use in the management of captive great apes and whether technology-directed behaviour differs between ape genera. The purpose of integrating interactive technology into captive ape management was primarily for enrichment (53% of respondents), followed by research (20% of respondents). However, only 25% of respondents had apes directly engaged with technology. There were no differences in technology-directed behaviours between ape genera. By identifying differences in practice, this research marks the initial stage in developing a best practice framework for using technology. Five of the seven great apes are listed as critically endangered (Western gorilla Gorilla gorilla, Eastern gorilla Gorilla beringei, Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii, Bornean orangutan Pongo pygmaeus, and Tapanuli orangutan Pongo tapanuliensis), while the remaining two are endangered (chimpanzee Pan troglodytes and bonobo Pan paniscus). The grave conservation status of these great apes (hereafter referred to as apes) puts emphasis on the importance of successful captive holdings of these species. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) promote four overarching goals of modern zoos: an increase in animal welfare, enhancing public engagement, contributing to wildlife research, and improving wildlife conservation. For example, technology is used to improve animal welfare as it can increase control and choice for the captive apes and create more cognitively complex environments. Animal research at zoological institutions can also incorporate technology to allow for non-invasive behavioural tests.

The importance that the AZA and other zoo associations place on animal welfare is of significance as welfare can influence the success of the remaining goals. The Zoos and Aquarium Association Australasia advocates for improvements in animal welfare in order to promote positive mental and physical experiences and decrease negative experiences and behaviours. Welfare is decreased when an individual’s cognitive abilities are under stimulated and the environment lacks predictability or is too over predictable. As a family, apes have advanced cognitive functioning in regard to spatial relations, causality and physical tasks. For example, chimpanzees are known to use tools to extract underground nests of stingless bees, and orang-utans have been observed exploring locations where food had been hidden two weeks prior. To meet the demands of these high cognitive skills, ape environmental enrichment must be varied, challenging, and flexible. In the context of zoo enrichment, technology has been defined as “a form of environ[1]mental enrichment that presents cognitively engaging activities using [digital] devices, such as touchscreen monitors, iPads, or other devices”. This type of enrichment provides the apes with activities that engage their cognitive skills. Microchip-automated technology is one form of technology that can be incorporated into the management of great apes to assist with research and husbandry practices. A microchip is a small implantable device, which is often used for identification or monitoring the behaviour and physiology of animals. For example, microchip-activated nest boxes with cameras inside can be used to monitor nesting or breeding behaviours and the implanted devices can measure body temperature, which can be used as an indication of stress levels.

Our journal of Scientific Journal of Zoology is great platform for the all the researchers who are in the field of animal science.

You can submit your related manuscript to the https://www.scholarscentral.org/submissions/scientific-journal-of-zoology.html  publication in any type of research work as original papers, review article, and short communication.

Use of interactive technology in captive great ape management.

The conservation status of great apes (chimpanzees Pan Troglodytes, gorillas Gorilla sp., orangutans Pongo sp., and bonobos Pan paniscus) is grave and zoological institutions are vital for maintaining numbers of these species and educating the public about their importance. Technology provides tools that can assist zoos in meeting these objectives. However, the extant research on technology use in zoos is potentially constrained by small sample sizes and there is no framework detailing the methodologies necessary for the successful incorporation of technology into great ape management. Therefore, this study aimed to determine current technology use in the management of captive great apes and whether technology-directed behaviour differs between ape genera. The purpose of integrating interactive technology into captive ape management was primarily for enrichment (53% of respondents), followed by research (20% of respondents). However, only 25% of respondents had apes directly engaged with technology. There were no differences in technology-directed behaviours between ape genera. By identifying differences in practice, this research marks the initial stage in developing a best practice framework for using technology. Five of the seven great apes are listed as critically endangered (Western gorilla Gorilla gorilla, Eastern gorilla Gorilla beringei, Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii, Bornean orangutan Pongo pygmaeus, and Tapanuli orangutan Pongo tapanuliensis), while the remaining two are endangered (chimpanzee Pan troglodytes and bonobo Pan paniscus). The grave conservation status of these great apes (hereafter referred to as apes) puts emphasis on the importance of successful captive holdings of these species. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) promote four overarching goals of modern zoos: an increase in animal welfare, enhancing public engagement, contributing to wildlife research, and improving wildlife conservation. For example, technology is used to improve animal welfare as it can increase control and choice for the captive apes and create more cognitively complex environments. Animal research at zoological institutions can also incorporate technology to allow for non-invasive behavioural tests.

The importance that the AZA and other zoo associations place on animal welfare is of significance as welfare can influence the success of the remaining goals. The Zoos and Aquarium Association Australasia advocates for improvements in animal welfare in order to promote positive mental and physical experiences and decrease negative experiences and behaviours. Welfare is decreased when an individual’s cognitive abilities are under stimulated and the environment lacks predictability or is too over predictable. As a family, apes have advanced cognitive functioning in regard to spatial relations, causality and physical tasks. For example, chimpanzees are known to use tools to extract underground nests of stingless bees, and orang-utans have been observed exploring locations where food had been hidden two weeks prior. To meet the demands of these high cognitive skills, ape environmental enrichment must be varied, challenging, and flexible. In the context of zoo enrichment, technology has been defined as “a form of environ[1]mental enrichment that presents cognitively engaging activities using [digital] devices, such as touchscreen monitors, iPads, or other devices”. This type of enrichment provides the apes with activities that engage their cognitive skills. Microchip-automated technology is one form of technology that can be incorporated into the management of great apes to assist with research and husbandry practices. A microchip is a small implantable device, which is often used for identification or monitoring the behaviour and physiology of animals. For example, microchip-activated nest boxes with cameras inside can be used to monitor nesting or breeding behaviours and the implanted devices can measure body temperature, which can be used as an indication of stress levels.

Our journal of Scientific Journal of Zoology is great platform for the all the researchers who are in the field of animal science.

You can submit your related manuscript to the https://www.scholarscentral.org/submissions/scientific-journal-of-zoology.html  publication in any type of research work as original papers, review article, and short communication.