Computer tasks for great apes promote functional naturalism in a zoo setting

Abstract

Automated methods have a long history of usage in great ape psychology research, from early behaviorism techniques involving levers and lights, to modern-day computerized touch-panel tasks. Beyond research, these methods can also facilitate the well-being of captive apes by offering functionally naturalistic activities aimed at eliciting the same physical and cognitive processes that wild animals are likely to use in their natural habitats. For example, computer tasks that probe memory and spatial reasoning skills may be viewed as analogous mental challenges to those faced by wild apes in search of resources, and the timing and location of computer task opportunities can be informed by the observed feeding rhythms and movement patterns of wild apes. In this paper, we present a methodology for promoting functional naturalism at zoos through computer tasks, and we provide examples of ongoing use-cases at the Indianapolis Zoo orangutan center.