Investigation through Animal-Computer Interaction: A Proof-of-Concept Study for the Behavioural Experimentation of...

Area of Science:

• Comparative psychology
• Sensory ecology
• Animal behavior

Background:

• Zoos house diverse animals with varied visual systems, offering opportunities for sensory ecology research.
• Behavioral testing in zoos must prioritize animal welfare and be practical for staff.
• Existing methods may not fully capture the nuances of visual perception in captive primates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a user-friendly, animal welfare-friendly system for behavioral research on captive primates.
• To assess primate interaction with and learning from a novel electronic device presenting visual stimuli.
• To lay the groundwork for comparative studies on visual systems in zoo-housed animals.

Main Methods:

• A proof-of-concept study utilizing a wirelessly connected tablet computer and automated feeder.
• Presentation of the system to captive primate species, with and without prior training.
• Use of a color stimulus, similar to the Ishihara test, to gauge interaction and learning.

Main Results:

• Captive primates successfully interacted with the electronic system and demonstrated learning and discrimination of visual stimuli.
• No risks were identified for small primates interacting with the setup without keeper supervision.
• The system shows potential for environmental enrichment, with caution advised for larger species.

Conclusions:

• The developed system is a viable tool for behavioral research on sensory ecology in zoo animals.
• It facilitates studies on visual perception and learning in captive primates in an ethical manner.
• This technology can advance our understanding of diverse visual systems in captive populations.