The Toronto Zoo is urging visitors to stop showing cell phone videos of gorillas, as some unmoderated content can be “upsetting” and even addictive to primates. .
“We just want gorillas to be gorillas,” said animal behavior control supervisor Holly Ross. CP24 last Thursday.
“And when our guests come to the zoo, they can see the gorillas in a very natural state and see what they would be doing naturally and connect with them on that level. I want to be able to.”
According to a photo posted by the news outlet, the newly installed signs will not allow animals to be videotaped or photographed “because some of the content may upset them and affect their relationships and behavior within their families.” I was calling not to show it.
One of the Toronto Zoo’s gorillas, named Nasir, is particularly susceptible to the video.
“Nassir is the epitome of a teenager, fascinated by video, and if he gets his way, screen time will rule his life,” said the zoo. In their description of him they said:
“Mostly I think he was watching videos of other animals,” Ross told CT24. “But I think the really important thing is that he can just be with his brother and be a gorilla.”
So far, the zoo has not noticed any major changes in gorilla behavior from watching videos.
While visitors aren’t encouraged to see the latest trending TikTok or Instagram posts, the zoo is streaming videos for the gorillas.
But they are careful what they show themselves.
“We just want to make sure we know what’s going on,” Ross said. “Just like you manage accounts for kids and others, parental controls should be turned on so you can control what your kids see.”
