Angela Meder is a German primatologist and environmental protection expert who specialises in gorillas. Since the 1980's, she has focused on breeding of gorillas in captivity and her in-depth research shows interesting correlations between behaviour of gorillas and their living conditions. She is an expert on artificial breeding and subsequent integration of babies into gorilla troops.
In the past years, zoological gardens have focused on improvement of living conditions for gorillas (and not only them, naturally). They have been investing large amounts of money into modern pavilions with a wide range of natural elements, introducing enrichment programs, and trying to provide optimal nutrition. Doctor Meder tried to find out how improvements in living conditions affect gorilla populations bred in captivity.
Her research into the effects of living conditions on the behaviour of lowland gorillas took place at many zoological gardens worldwide. The study records not only the social structure of each troop and the number of its members, and the size, equipment and design of enclosures, but also examines relations between gorillas and visitors. The research involved many zoos in Germany, e.g. Frankfurt, Hannover, Berlin, Stuttgartu, and Leipzig, as well as other zoological gardens across the world (Seattle, San Diego, Atlanta, etc.).
The researched clear showed a correlation between the floor area and character of the pavilion on the one hand, and interaction between gorillas and human visitors on the other. It is obvious that animals are aware of humans behind the barriers. Numerous observations confirmed that the more people stand at the enclosure, the more lively the gorillas respond and show off their skills. Gorillas are also more active in smaller, clearly separated enclosures as compared to outdoor enclosures with natural barriers.
An interesting phenomenon are glass barriers. They are more effective in separating gorillas from humans than a natural trench. Close proximity of people behind the glass does not deter gorillas, on the contrary - it seems to attract them. However, they usually do not sit at the glass facing the visitors but turn their backs to them, leaning against the wall. Gorillas spend quite a lot of time this way, close to people, although they pay very little attention to the visitors, as compared to open enclosures with natural barriers. Gorillas in enclosures with natural trenches are more likely and more eager to watch visitors. Males tend to be more responsive to stimuli from the surroundings. This matches their behaviour in the wild, where males are more attentive to potential dangers and social changes in their troops - they need to protect the troop against predators and prevent the ever-present danger of one of the females leaving for another troop or joining a competing male.
Primatologist Jon C. Coe also discovered interesting correlations when he analysed the positions of visitors and animals at the zoo. If people stand higher than the animal, they tend to perceive themselves as superior and treat the animal accordingly. On the contrary, when people stand lower that the animal, they are more likely to feel respect and watch the animal quietly rather than disturb it. This is one of the reasons why the floor in indoor expositions is often half a metre higher than the walkway for visitors - it ensures more quiet for the animals. In outdoor enclosures with a trench, however, gorillas are often lower than the audience. This, unfortunately, creates a temptation for the visitors to throw food in the enclosure, especially if the gorillas beg for treats. Visitors feeding animals is a common problem in zoological gardens. Plain prohibitive signs didn't prove very effective. People are slightly more likely to observe feeding bans if there is an explanation of the potential health risks for the animals. Yet there are people who won't respect the bans. Fortunately, enclosures with bars which allowed contact between animals and visitors and were therefore highly risky, are being abandoned in favour of modern safer designs. Research showed that improvements in the living conditions for gorillas and natural barriers limit attempts by visitors to contact the animals. Instead, they help visitors perceive the animals as wild creatures whom they can watch but not touch.
Dr. Meder's research also focused on the occurrence of improper behaviour by visitors. For instance, at the zoo in Seattle, a third of visitors failed to observe the rules and disturbed gorillas in the pavilion. In contrast, there were only 5 percent of perpetrators in German zoos. This may testify to the proverbial German discipline and sense of law and order.
On the one hand, visitor provide a welcome distraction for gorillas, on the other hand, presence of humans in the pavilion might be stressful for them. Take Kijivu, for instance. After a longer period indoors she will look uneasy and cover her ears with her hands. Unfortunately, it proved impossible to make visitors more considerate. Every day, despite omnipresent signs, people use camera flashes and make excessive noise that stresses the gorillas. The only viable technical solution is modern design of gorilla pavilions. For instance glass barriers significantly reduce the noise level, besides other functions.
Do you think complaints about improper visitor behaviour are a bit exaggerated? Well, you should know that gorilla troops living in a protected and quiet environment have proved to have higher reproduction rates.
Don't forget to check the latest edition of The Revealed Plus. This instalment is called "The best spot is at the back room window".
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