An unexpected problem that the gorillas at the San Diego Zoo are dealing with is excessive screen time. A recent trend that has zoo officials more alarmed is when guests use their phones to project videos onto gorillas in glass enclosures.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, a representative of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance voiced her severe disapproval of this behavior. The zoo “does not condone and strongly discourages” visitors from using screens to divert the attention of gorillas, the official added. Regulars stand at the glass to show the gorillas films of themselves and their family; they are easily identified by the handmade gorilla-themed goods they often wear.
The gorillas have become familiar with these visitors and often abandon their natural play behaviors to approach the glass and gesture to see the phones. This interaction creates a surreal spectacle where the gorillas, engrossed in the videos, resemble humans zoning out in front of screens.
Zoo officials have made it clear that they do not want guests to engage gorillas with screens. Instead, they encourage visitors to observe the gorillas’ natural behaviors. The spokesperson noted that the primary goal is for guests to watch gorillas behave like gorillas, not to connect with them through human technology.
Robert Shumaker, a great ape researcher and official with the Indianapolis Zoo, provides an interesting perspective. While he allows chimpanzees and orangutans to play touch-screen games like tic-tac-toe to entertain visitors, he agrees that screen time should be limited for gorillas. He draws a parallel to humans, suggesting that just as people need to regulate their screen usage, so too should gorillas.
Experts and administrators at zoos are concerned about the growing practice of playing videos for gorillas. In order to preserve the wellbeing of these perceptive creatures, the San Diego Zoo works to guarantee that gorillas are seen in their native habitats.