Toronto Zoo Urges Visitors to Refrain from Showing Gorillas Mobile Videos

Toronto Zoo has issued a plea to its visitors, requesting them to abstain from showing mobile videos and photos to its gorillas. This unusual request stems from concerns about the potential disruption of the natural behaviors and interactions within the gorilla family.

Hollie Ross, the behavioral husbandry supervisor at the Toronto Zoo, highlighted that while they have not yet witnessed any considerable behavioral changes in the gorillas, the initiative aims to keep the primates' lives as natural as possible. "We just want the gorillas to be gorillas," Ross stated, explaining that the zoo intends for visitors to observe the animals in their most natural state.

The issue arose primarily due to a gorilla named Nassir, who demonstrated a distinct interest in videos displayed on the visitors' mobile devices. Nassir, born in 2009, seemed captivated by screen time to the extent that it began impacting his interactions with other gorillas.

"Nassir is so into those videos. It was causing him to be distracted and not interacting with the other gorillas, and you know, being a gorilla. He was just so enthralled with gadgets and phones and the videos," Maria Franke, the zoo's director of wildlife conservation and welfare, informed The Toronto Star.

Ross mentioned that controlled screen time for the gorillas is allowed under specific circumstances. The zoo's team provides approved content, including nature documentaries, to the gorillas. Ross likened it to managing an account for a child, ensuring that the content the gorillas are exposed to is controlled and appropriate.

New signs have been placed outside the gorilla enclosure, urging guests to keep their screens to themselves. The zoo hopes this measure will limit unnecessary distractions and encourage visitors to enjoy and learn from observing the animals' natural behaviors and interactions.

Despite the request seeming unusual, it underscores the importance of respecting the space and natural habits of these magnificent creatures when visiting zoos. The Toronto Zoo aims to provide a natural environment for its gorillas, ensuring their wellbeing, and encourages its guests to participate in maintaining this crucial aspect of the animals' lives.