June 27, 2004

Lincoln Park Zoo Apes Get to Take Revenge "At the zoo's new Regenstein Center for African Apes, chimpanzees can touch a panel hidden from public view that will shoot harmless bursts of air at unsuspecting visitors." [Via Fark.]
posted by homunculus 20 years ago
  • Sort of off topic, but does this mean that there is no longer the Lester Fisher Great Ape House? Cuz, like Lester Fisher taught me how to respect life in all it's groovy forms. And he made Lincoln Park Zoo (while not the biggest, brightest or best zoo in the world) one my favorite places to be.
  • Well, this does sound like fun for the chimps! Hooray for whoever came up with this diversion for them!
  • homunculus, I saw this last night too and was going to post it. It's just such a cool idea. I wonder how long before kids figure it out and start taunting the chimps in an attempt to get them to shoot. /wet blanket I do like the idea, though, really.
  • Dude! Linkin Park Rox!!!!!!
  • Call me a jaded ape hugger, but this doesn't do much to console me based on the primate tauntings I've witnessed at zoos. The worst time was when this group of teenage boys laughed at a sad-looking gorilla for picking its nose. Zoo officials hope the exhibit's realistic environments will give visitors new respect for apes ... Not unless the apes built the enclosure themselves they're not.
  • I'm thinking a low-grade electric shock would be more appropriate than a blast of air.
  • Maybe the apes could have a button that lowers a cage on the visitors, whereupon the apes can then have taunt the people all they like. Wonder how long it would take for the people to start flinging poo at the apes? that would be so sweet...