Monkey at Columbus Zoo Becomes Obsessed with a Phone
Fascinated by a monkey using a phone at the Columbus Zoo, I found out more. What started as a simple accident at Columbus Zoo has turned into what we see as a quirky new trend. Rocket, a 18-month-old capuchin monkey, was introduced to a smartphone by accident when one of the zookeepers dropped it while cleaning his enclosure. To everyone’s surprise, Rocket immediately grabbed the phone and began swiping through the screen with remarkable interest.
“At first, it was just a fluke,” said Adam Felts, lead animal care specialist at Columbus Zoo. “We were cleaning his space, and the phone fell into the enclosure. Rocket picked it up and started tapping the screen. We thought it was just a one-time thing, but he kept going!”
Rocket quickly became absorbed in the phone, and seeing how much fun he was having, the staff decided to make it a regular part of his enrichment program.
“Rocket’s intelligence and curiosity are impressive. He figured out how to interact with the phone in no time,” explained Dr. Jan Ramer, an animal behaviorist at the zoo. “Now, he gets to spend a few minutes a day with it as a form of mental stimulation.”
Rocket’s newfound hobby has added a fun and unexpected twist to zoo visits – we expect as this monkey becomes more mainstream Colombus will see a lot more visitors.
The zoo plans to continue to try and use phones as part of its enrichment efforts for other primates but is taking a cautious approach, ensuring that technology doesn’t replace natural behaviors.
About Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Columbus Zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation and animal welfare, using innovative enrichment programs to improve the lives of its residents. The zoo is home to a wide variety of primates and works on conservation efforts around the globe. For more information, visit www.columbuszoo.org.
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