Zoo Implements Stricter Regulations on Gorilla’s Access to Screens

If you’ve ever had a child, spouse, or a dull date who couldn’t tear themselves away from their phone, you’ll understand the frustration felt by the Toronto Zoo. The Toronto Star recently reported that visitors have been showing Nassir the gorilla videos on their cellphones. Maria Franke, the zoo’s director of wildlife conservation, explains, “Nassir is extremely fond of those videos.” However, like any human who has become captivated by a screen, this was causing Nassir to be distracted and not engaging with the other gorillas. Essentially, he was more interested in gadgets, phones, and videos than behaving like a gorilla. Consequently, the zoo had to put up a notice urging patrons to refrain from using their devices in Nassir’s presence.

This is not an isolated incident, as highlighted by CTV News. The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago had to cordon off its gorilla enclosure after a teenage gorilla named Amare began ignoring his peers in favor of visitors’ smartphones. The Toronto Star also tells us about Jelani, a gorilla at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky, who would make swiping motions when he wanted visitors to move on to the next photo or video. Returning to Toronto, the zoo is not completely banning screen time, as mentioned by behavioral husbandry supervisor Hollie Ross. While they want the gorillas to exhibit natural behavior, the zoo does still show nature documentaries and videos of other animals. However, they simply want to ensure that they are aware of what the gorillas are watching. (Read more intriguing gorilla tales.)