To make up for the lack of interaction with visitors since the attractions closed under Covid-19 restrictions in December, the chimpanzees at Safari Park Dvur Kralove and the troop at a zoo in Brno, 150 kilometers away, can watch each other’s daily lives. giant screens.
There are no disasters with the mute button as the sound is muted, but there has been a lot of interest in what the distant cousins have been up to since the project started last week.
“At first, they approached the screen with defensive or threatening gestures, there was interaction,” said Gabriela Linhartova, ape grocer at Dvur Kralove, 135 kilometers east of Prague.
A chimpanzee rests in front of a giant screen in its enclosure at Safari Park Dvur Kralove.
DAVID W CERNY / REUTERS
“It has since switched to ‘I’m in the movie’ or ‘I’m watching TV’ mode. When they see tense situations, they get off the couch, just like us when we watch a live sporting event.”
The chimpanzees have also adopted other human behaviors, such as grabbing treats like nuts to chew while watching the action.
The video conferences, which will also be broadcast on the safari park’s website, will take place daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the end of March, when keepers will evaluate whether to continue.