Chimps too can plan for future

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7928996.stm

by seren6ipity • 17 years ago

22 7 17 years ago

news.bbc.co.uk

Silentio2• 17 years ago

He doesn't stash or throw rocks in the off season at the zoo. Says something about zoos, or at least the "look at the monkey" idiots who visit them, doesn't it?

Silentio2• 17 years ago

In re-reading this comment, I realize I should clarify something. I didn't mean all people who visit zoos are idiots, just the ones who don't know the difference between a monkey and an ape. Zoos are great places to learn, I just wish more people used them as a learning resource while they were there.

kirubakaran• 17 years ago

Someone should slip him a slingshot (catapult).

But seriously, arming him with a Super Soaker will be awesome. He will get stress relief, children will enjoy it and zoo will get more money.

mhb• 17 years ago

Squirrels that hide seeds and nuts aren't planning for when they will be hungry in the future? In the chimp's case it's more obvious that this is planning rather than instinctual, but it would be nice if the article described what the experimenters consider the distinction.

electromagnetic• 17 years ago

It would be nice to see documentation of unique days. IE a national holiday when the zoos open early, or when they open late or something. I mean does the chimp still collect stones when the zoo is going to be closed, or is it caught off guard when people arrive in the zoo earlier than he expects.

The mere fact he collects stones before the zoo opens does suggest they anticipate things. However, it would be nice to see that he's anticipating something based on experience. If the Zoo's closed on Monday because it's a national holiday, does he still collect stones? Or is something the trainers doing tipping him off to people arriving?

gcheong• 17 years ago

That ape should be locked up. Oh, wait...

scott_s• 17 years ago

Interesting, but I've seen footage of chimps in the wild going on military-style raids of neighboring groups. Land grabs, basically. I think that requires at least as much planning for the future.

(The footage was in the BBC series Planet Earth. Amazing series.)

Chimps too can plan for future

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