Technology at the Zoo: The Influence of a Touchscreen Computer on Orangutans and Zoo Visitors
A computer-controlled touchscreen apparatus (hereafter referred to as “touchscreen”) in the orangutan exhibit at Zoo Atlanta provides enrichment to the animals and allows cognitive research to take place on exhibit. This study investigated the impact of the touchscreen on orangutan behavior and visibility, as well as its impact on zoo visitors. Despite previous research suggesting […]
Dissociation of Cortisol and Behavioral Indicators of stress in an orangutan during a computerized task
Computerized testing can induce behavioral signs of frustration in apes. Three variations of a computer task were used to investigate the effects of inter-trial intervals and rate of cursor movement on frustrative behavior and cortisol in an orangutan. Behaviors were recorded during test sessions, and saliva was collected immediately after test sessions for cortisol assay. […]