Who turned out the lights? Orangutans!

Hi! It’s Dr. Eridia, Zoo Atlanta’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow. I am excited to update you on my research here at the Zoo. Currently, I am in the exciting process of designing a research study for our amazing primates. One concept I am currently exploring is giving Zoo animals more control of their environment.

Animals in zoos rely on caretakers for food, habitat access, enrichment, and social companions. But what if we could allow our primates to make more daily decisions for themselves? Some existing literature has shown positive impacts on animal wellbeing when animals have more choice and control in their environments. Yet, few studies have studied it with primates living in zoos. 

One exciting feature of this research study is to give our orangutans control over a light source. Keepers control the lights inside the buildings, but what if they want to illuminate their space when the keepers are away? A potential approach for this idea is introducing a button that the orangutans can push to turn on and off a light source. I am excited to explore whether giving our orangutans control of specific devices in their habitat can have a positive impact on their emotions. 

Eridia P.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Check out this blog in video form here!