We humans may be tiring of video calls, Zoom birthdays and streamed performances, but the chimps at two Czech zoos are just starting to enjoy their new live online linkup. To make up for the lack of interaction with visitors since the attractions closed in December under Covid-19 restrictions, the chimpanzees at Safari Park Dvur Kralove and the troop at a zoo in Brno, 93 miles away, can now watch one another’s daily lives on giant screens.
There are no mute-button disasters as the sound is off, but there has already been plenty of interest in what the distant cousins are up to since the project got underway last week.
“At the beginning they approached the screen with defensive or threatening gestures, there was interaction,” said Gabriela Linhartova, ape keeper at Dvur Kralove, 84 miles east of Prague. “It has since moved into the mode of ‘I am in the movies’ or ‘I am watching TV.’ When they see some tense situations, it gets them up off the couch, like us when we watch a live sport event.” The chimpanzees have also adopted other human behaviors such as grabbing goodies like nuts to chew on while watching the action.
The video conferences, also aired on the safari park’s website, will run daily from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. until the end of March, when keepers will evaluate whether they should continue.
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“it is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man.”
-H. L. Mencken
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credits: David w. Cerney – Reuters
What a FANTASTIC offering Beth. Thank you so much. This made me smile and happy. And what a quote!!! 🙂
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interesting they are taking on snacking habits like humans – we probably are not the best to imitate )
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That’s for sure…. I don’t recommend it
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I need to look for their LinkedIn page!
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they may try to find you –
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now the chimps are savouring what virtual fun we have watching our counterparts on screen 🙂 and , yes, what a great quote 🙂
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at least they can walk away from it when they choose -)
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This is super cool, wish someone would put some zoom screen for the sake of fun for us too:D
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not sure humans find it as interesting –
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Wonderful idea!
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at least they get to see each other
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Yes, and connect.
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Even the animals are on call now, Beth. Yeesh.
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It’s an odd place we find ourselves
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A great idea! These are certainly very intelligent animals and therefore it is easy for humans to see similarities. Lovely post Beth!
All the best,
FBC
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We should be so evolved)
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Amazing!
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Yes
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Just as long as they don’t start doing crazy-chimp stuff for “likes..” 😂
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An excellent point
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There’s a short story in there somewhere.
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Ah, yes-
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How funny that they grab snack while they watch!!
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I know!!))
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I will be checking this out; animals are so much smarter than we give them credit for…
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They are – as for us…
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we think we’re smart, but…
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I love this – and I love that quote!
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Thanks!
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At what point, do you suppose, does it become two troops of chimpanzees staring at each oher?
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Only a matter of time
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yeah well that’s exactly what I look like when i’m watching tv and munching on snacks! a chimpanzee :))
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Same!
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What a great idea!
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At least they can stay connected
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Wow, that’s cool! What a great idea!
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i thought so, too –
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Thanks for sharing this. I had no idea 😊
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Yes!
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Wow that’s so interesting how the chimpanzees have reacted. Such a strong connection to human behavior. Thanks for sharing this, Beth!
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Or ours to theirs )
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Yes to that, too!
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Quite interesting, Beth.
Now I feel like watching TV and eating nuts, but dinner will be ready in 1 hour.
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😃
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Hilarious! I really would have loved to see a photo of them eating treats while watching the action—some future couch potatoes.🤣
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that would be the best shot for sure –
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I wish we knew what they thought about this.
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yes, maybe they’re communicating about how humans look when zooming
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That would be most appropriate.
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I love this. The quote made me laugh. I wouldn’t own us either some days. 🙂
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same!
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I love that!
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isn’t it funny and so fitting for the times?
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I wonder what if chimpanzee TV is coming, complete with a remote to switch between channels. 🙂
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matter of time, perhaps – )
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I think some of my neighbours are apes descended from man.
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Haha, awesome!
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Yes!
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A perfect quote to a great zoo story.
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Thanks-
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🙂
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Lol. This is so funny! But cute, too!
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)))
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