‘Apps for Apes’: Wisconsin Zoo Starts Movement to Donate Tablets to…Orangutans
- Posted on December 31, 2011 at 6:49am by
Liz Klimas
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(Photo: Apps for Apes)
It appears that humans are not the only ones that enjoy playing around on their iPads. Orangutans like it too. So much so, that there is now a movement to donate used tablets for the apes to use.
The LA Times blog reports that “Apps for Apes” started at the Milwaukee County Zoo after one donated iPad became a popular gadget among the orangutan community – zookeepers tried with gorillas who were not fans and were “more stoic.”
Here an orangutan named Mahal watches video on the iPad. (Photo: Apps for Apes)
The Times reports that the orangutans‘ keeper Trish Khan lets them play with the device about two times per week but they don’t get to hold it because they could crack it with their strength:
“We show them the iPad, and read them stories or let them have different apps,” said Jan Rafert, curator of primates and small mammals at the zoo. “We don’t let them hold them, but they can do some of the paint apps by sticking their fingers through the mesh.”
Here Khan explains the animals’ interactions with the iPads:
Watch two orangutans — MJ and Mahal — play with the device:
The Times reports that Orangutan Outreach is working with Apps for Apes to try and get the iPads to more zoos. After more zoos are equipped with iPads the orangutans will have “play dates” where they can see each other on the devices.
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Comments (76)
Poggle The Stick
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 6:00pmHey, maybe we’ll find out how much Orangutans REALLY like those iPads when they leave them in the cages! We’ll see if they can find a way to “turn them off” (permanently!)
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:30pmI thought that was that H.S. in Staten Island!
Report Post »Master_and_Commander
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 4:53pmShould I laugh at this absurdity? Or be horrified? No wonder our country is in so much trouble…
Report Post »charleyrocks
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 5:09pmAnd look at what they have to live in, you people are a bunch of morons. Release them back to where they belong goofs!!!!
Report Post »corbecket
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 5:58pm@charleyrocks
Now, now Charley. No reason to use naughty language at folks. People will think you’re crude, and without manners. The fact is, that while it would be nice to have these apes cavorting in their natural environment, it is the only environment that most could survive in. Born in captivity, they have never learned (and probably couldn’t) the necessary survival skills that life in the wild requires.
It’s like taking a city person, and turning them lose in the wilderness. They would die quickly, and so would the Orangs. Whether you like it or not, captivity is their natural environment now…….unless you’d like them to die. Didn’t think you would.
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 6:28pmMASTER AND COMMANDER,
Report Post »Why the horror and consternation? We bring them into our world. THEY LEARN!
I believe that is more than you can say about a large number of HUMAN fauna that perambulate this earth!
Wolf
Posted on January 1, 2012 at 7:14pmThis is Wisconsin we’re talking about here, M&C- there really isn’t any sentient life in that state.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 1:29pmNext… they can join Unions and become Teachers…
Report Post »valarie
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 2:29pmOr run for president…
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 9:35pmOr vote Ron Paul.
Report Post »qzak491
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 12:55pmThese are for the protesters, OWS monkeys.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 12:31pmjust give them a pair of the new jordans
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 12:02pmWith everything that is going on in the world, what kind of weird primate bubble are these people living in?
Report Post »jaxum4
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 1:14pmWhat sort of world are you living in? I suppose that everything has to be doom and gloom. These intelligent animals are kept in captivity, not by their own choice, and since we see nothing wrong with that, at least we can do things to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 11:45am.
You are the one playing their game. Political Corectness is their game. They say what ever they want, and no one says a thing, but you let me say something. And you PC PANTY WASTES come out the woodwork like clock work………..
Don’t Be P.C. in 2012………….Grow a pair……….
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:29pm.
Report Post »I still think Obama should buy an iPad, like the rest of us…..
Phoneguy
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 11:17amI’m an Orangutan, where is mine?
Report Post »go2gym
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 11:14am@RightHook……I understand your post. If Bush were president, the political correctness of our society wouldn’t apply and you (or anyone else) would not have posted that response. I know the frustration with PC and double standards.
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 11:04amApps for Apes – training the next generation of Neocons.
Report Post »1776freedomofspeech
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 12:42pmWhat is this fascination with the word “NeoCon”. Who or what is that supposed to be?
I have been around for a pretty long time and this term just sprung up and you use it a lot. How do you define it. Thanks.
Report Post »MartyTr
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 3:24pmCommunists like to use the word neocon. Guess it makes them feel superior?? Well it doesn’t. No freedom of speech, press, religion, private property, gun rights, etc, etc. under your evil communism. Equal misery for all except the elite. And you are delusional if you think you will be one of them. You will be suffering with the rest of us.
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 4:02pm1776freedomofspeech, they usually mean Jews. They don’t want to sound outright like bigots, so they use a substitute.
Report Post »1776freedomofspeech
Posted on January 1, 2012 at 6:13am@Zengapa65
NeoCon is being misused in your post. I believe you were trying to put down the “Tea Party” types, but according to multiple resources besides the mighty Blazers, NeoCon is used to describe those with socialist/communist ideological leanings, although not as far leaning as the Soviet Union used to be.
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on January 1, 2012 at 1:44pmNeoCon to a Ron Paul supporter is anyone that has been a conservative for at least 50 years. Don’t waste your time trying to apply logic.
Report Post »jcannon98188
Posted on January 1, 2012 at 4:41pmAll of your definitions are pretty fail. Obvious attempts at discrediting REAL conservatives, and make Neocons like yourselves feel right in your thinking.
A Neocon (Or NeoConservative) is a person who believes in free market principles, and limited government, but also supports War and Government intervention into ‘illegal’ or ‘immoral’ aspects of our lives (I.E. supporting the War of Drugs, Defense of Marriage Act, Patriot Act, NDAA, etc.)
The term is being used by Ron Paul supporters like myself lately to show that many politicians who claim to be conservatives, are actually progressives. Their ideology is at best, contradictory. In order to maintain a large military industrial complex, we need a larger government, and more taxes. Which contradicts their beliefs in free market principles, and limited government. In addition, their belief that the federal government should legislate morality (homosexuality, drugs, gun ownership etc.) also contradict small market principles.
From googles definition:
Relating to or denoting a return to a modified form of a traditional viewpoint, in particular a political ideology characterized by an emphasis on free-market capitalism and an interventionist foreign policy
Breaking it down, Neo meaning ‘New’ and Conservative, they are a “New kind of conservative” or in other terms a “Progressive Conservative”
Report Post »jcannon98188
Posted on January 1, 2012 at 4:45pm@TwoByFour
It sounds to me like you are the one trying to race bait here mate. Contrary to your beliefs, NeoCon does not mean Jew at all. I explained the definition of it in my post above. Perhaps you have read the Rules for Radicals book? Because trying to incite hatred with claims or racism is straight out of it. How about you get outta here you progressive troll?
@Neofan
Report Post »How about for a change, you try and USE logic? You will be surprised what you will find: which is that Libertarians are right, and Neocons/Progressives are wrong. And I don’t mean the seudo-libertarian that just wants to smoke pot. I mean someone actually intelligent. Email me at jcannon98188@gmail.com with subject “NeoCon” or “Libertarian” or “Ron Paul” or something (So my spam filter doesn’t pick you up) and I will gladly exchange logic with you.
bunnyma5
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 10:27amin the wild these animals are hunted down, killed, and specie depleted….the zoos are more humane and interact with them as man was meant to do….releasing them does a disservice to the animal….as what happened when the penquin was released after being cared for…..such a waste…
Report Post »RIGHTHOOK
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 10:27amSpank – Your humor is a predictable one and sophomoric one based on the story line. It is the kind of material that gives the opposition fuel to suggest the ENTIRE conservative population is a bunch of ignorant bigots. Show some class and avoid playing into their broken game……..
Report Post »Square Dancer
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 9:50amI thought people in the WH already had tablets.
Report Post »Sumrknght
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 9:33amIf the orangutans are that bored… that they “need” Ipads… how about the zoo returns them to their natural habitat… and sets up a web cam so people can see them THERE. (then the people use their “apps” for orangutans:)
Report Post »jaxum4
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 4:08pmYou don’t know much do you? Animals raised in capitivity cannon be released in the wild, they have no experience or idea of how to survive. They don’t know how to find food, find shelter, or avoid danger; and you believe that they would be better off being returned to their natural environment. Sheesh.
Report Post ».
NOBAMA201258
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 4:53pmMaybe these orangutan could show their cousins how to get an I.D.and register to vote legally
Report Post »chasbronson
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 9:27amAll the time trying to prove that man came from monkeys.Same creator, totally different creation.Although I probably could be convinced some humans came from a monkey by the way they act.
Report Post »MartyTr
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 3:28pmIf we evolved from monkeys(which we didn’t) why aren’t they the ones showing us their ipads? They were here first??? Of course evolution doesn’t make sense.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:36pmyeah and they sure like those air jordans
Report Post »chasbronson
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 9:23amDidn’t they try this in the inner city schools also?Hmm they end up in cages too.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 9:12amI sure hope they aren‘t teaching them how to vote because you know most Conservatives don’t work at a zoo…
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:53amGet a real education tifosa
http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/wew/
Report Post »randy
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:43amHmmmmm
The Times reports that the orangutans‘ keeper Trish Khan lets them play with the device
Kahn = Muslim Name.
And
Watch two orangutans — MJ and Mahal — play with the device:
Mahal ….. Taj Mahal = Islamic architecture.
Is the koran on those ipads?
Report Post »Is this OBAMA civilian army? :)
NOBAMA201258
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:54amNo it’s a reunion,Randy
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:22amClearly they are searching for a viable Republican candidate.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:27amYes. The Republican Obama.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:42amClearly anyone who breathes is a viable Democrat candidate for any office.
Clinton denies an affair with Jennifer Flowers; the tapes come out
Clinton denies an affair with a subordinate; a stained blue dress is produced.
Juanita Broaddrick alleges that Clinton raped her.
“Gennifer Flowers, Elizabeth Ward Gracen, Sally Perdue, and Dolly Kyle Browning each have reported having adulterous sexual relations with Clinton during or before his service as governor.” -wiki
It is hard to get away from Bill Clinton’s filth I literally cannot watch certain TV shows with Elizabeth Ward Grace & not be reminded of Clinton.
Report Post »Clinton & all
Walkabout
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:49amDemocrats will idolize fools.
FDR instituted the NRA (National Recovery Act) & black unemployment jumped. When the act was ruled unconstitutional; black unemployment went down.
Walter E. Williams gave several versions of the acronym of what Black leaders of the 1930s called the NRA. None of them were good.
Yesm any mouth breather is a viable Democrat candidate4 for any elected office.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:55amDey look like dems to me
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:56amProbably ordering some air jordans online to avoid those animals at the mall
Report Post »1776freedomofspeech
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 1:11pm@TIFOSA
Clearly this is for counterinsurgency in future Occupy events in which the zoo apes will be a part of secret gov’t experiments sponsored by “Neo Cons” (But I am not sure about what a Neo Con is yet for sure, but somebody is supposed to help me with that soon, anyway) and the evil Umbrella Corporation (Which is the really the Vatican), in which the evil Republicans will unleash the apes upon the shy and timid Occupiers while simultaneously attempting to create a sustainable economy culminating with all Occupiers being rounded up and forced to eat under cooked pork ribs and bacon under the threat of the internet and all cellphone service will be shutdown thus render a whole generation impotent to do anything at all if they don’t comply with Republican and Bilderberg group demands.
Or maybe they just want to see what the apes will do with them. Who can say for sure?
Report Post »MartyTr
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 3:34pmProving again how bad liberal methodology is. Glad I’m an ex-dem.
Report Post »Crazy Times
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:46amWe are for animal rights! And we want all animals to have an Ipad.. because we like to treat the animals, like humans, out of there natural habitat. keep them as pets. give them names. that is humane.
…….CCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYYYYYY
i guess they take those planet of the apes films to heart. they should make them watch those. maybe they will start a movement thru the internet called Occupy Orangutan, and they can make posters with a pic of Caesar and Charleston Heston and stating DOWN WITH THE TRAITORS!
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:04amWhat’s next? NAAOP?
Report Post »SHIPMONEY100TRILLION
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:38amThere you go put thouse Occupies with Apples and monkey cages.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:16amMeh – Nope!
Not until every child has access to a computer or tablet…
Report Post »THEN we can DISCUSS equipping critters with them.
(Although I suspect we could buy grannie her medication, her food, and pay her utility bill.)
Yep, let’s buy iPads for monkeys at the expense of grannie! Sounds like a fine idea.
Let’s put up markers for deceased cows while we are at it.
Tablets for orangutans? PLEEEEZE…
Perhaps we should give them high speed internet with Netflix too? Oops I forgot… that would be PBS and MSNBC.
Eliasim
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:25amDon’t worry about it. When I inherit the Kingdom “OF” Heaven I will make sure I released the apes from their prisons back into the jungles, and of course their IPads won’t be going with them.
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:05amAll animals: humans, orangutans, rats, fish, etc; are very intelligent and curious. Evolution in action!
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:35amThe Orangs seem to be more interested in filling in the “unpainted” areas. There is at least one Bonobo who can draw a recognizable coffee cup (outline).
She only mentioned Gorillas, some monkey species and the Orangutans. They must not have any Chimps or Bonobos.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 8:59amMaybe you came from monkeys, I was created in the image of God
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 6:59amHey, that way the souls of Progressives can still have IPads after they are reincarnated as orangutans.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:02amBut what if you’re reincarnated as a sea-bottom vent dwelling shrimp?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 7:08amOf course the meek will inherit the “Earth”, but the wicked will inherit the apes and lower.
Report Post »