Orangutans at Miami Zoo Use iPads to Communicate
From: Product Design & Development - 05/09/2012
By: David Fischer

The orangutans at Miami's Jungle Island apparently are just like people when
it comes to technology. The park is one of several zoos experimenting with
computers and apes, letting its six orangutans use an iPad to communicate and
as part of a mental stimulus program. Linda Jacobs, who oversees the program,
hopes the devices will eventually help bridge the gap between humans and the
endangered apes. 

The devices have been a great addition to the enrichment programs Jungle
Island already does with the orangutans, Jacobs said. Keepers have long used
sign language to communicate with them. Using their hands, the orangutans can
respond to simple questions, identify objects and express their wants or
needs. The apes can also identify body parts, helping the trainers care for
them and even give them shots. 

While Jacobs and other trainers have developed strong relationships with the
orangutans, the iPad and other touchscreen computers offer an opportunity for
them to communicate with people not trained in their sign language. 

Read the entire article at:
http://pddnet.com/news-orangutans-at-miami-zoo-use-ipads-to-communicate-050912/
http://www.ecnmag.com/news/2012/05/orangutans-miami-zoo-use-ipads-communicate
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/09/orangutans-at-miami-zoo-use-ipads-to-02/

Links:
Orangutans Talk with iPads
http://pddnet.com/photos-of-the-day-orangutans-talk-with-ipads-050912/

Orangutans Go Bananas over iPads in Miami (7 photos)
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2012/05/09/orangutans-go-bananas-over-ipads-in-miami/