We were at the Waco Zoo today to participate in planning a poisonous plant recognition education day, and afterwards two of the curators asked if we'd like to visit the Orangutans and see them use their Ipads. The dominant male and the female had just "skyped" with a site in Japan, so they were pretty blase about playing the "squash the bug" game app, or "slice the fruit" app. However, with the lure of some fruit juice they both tapped the Ipad screen (it is difficult for them because their fingernails are so prominent that it is hard for their finger pads to touch the screen) and used the "animal sounds" app. Do you have any idea how embarassing it is for two adults to stand there watching apes enjoying technology that we have no idea how to use? We came home sadder and no wiser. However, if Mia, the female wants to teach us to skype and use an Ipad, we will be willing pupils!
Well, if an orangutan can do it maybe I'd give it a try if I had one of them. I could at least "monkey" around with it. dooley
Hey they could even, in time, become members here at GardenStew. I wonder what they could tell us about their lives? I'll bet they'd have some really funny stories about what we humans get up to.
