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Zoo News
Budongo’s Got Talent!
Chimpcam Project photograph © Kevin Flay
25 January 2010 - The chimpanzees residing in Budongo Trail at Edinburgh Zoo are set to become stars of the screen when they are featured in a BBC Natural World documentary on 27 January, 8pm - 9pm on BBC 2.
The 11 chimpanzees have been taking part in a voluntary study called The Chimpcam Project for the last 18 months. In this joint collaboration between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), University of Stirling and Burning Gold Productions, the chimps experience video streaming for the first time, learn how to use touch-screen technology and are even given a chimp-proof camera to shoot their own footage.
The documentary follows behavioural scientist Betsy Herrelko of the University of Stirling as she observes how the chimps react to this new experience. The chimps are introduced to video technology with footage of chimpanzees in the wild. Then, following training from the keepers, the chimps learn to gently touch the screen to select different images. They are able to choose from variety of images such as the keepers preparing food or their outside enclosure. All of their reactions were logged and studied meticulously by Betsy.
The final part of the project involved placing a chimp-proof video camera into the enclosure. The camera is encased in a sturdy box with a monitor on the side so the chimps could see what they were filming. The documentary explores the extent to which the chimps are aware of what they are seeing and filming and, for the first time, we are able to see the world through a chimp’s eyes.
Betsy Herrelko explains:
"The Chimpcam Project was designed to let the chimps take us on a tour of their minds. We created studies and activities, but what happened after that was completely up to the chimps. We were along for the ride, hoping to learn a bit more about how they viewed the world. Being able to view life as the chimps see it is something that I will never forget.
"I couldn’t imagine a better combination of people to work on this project. It’s been a fantastic experience collaborating with all three institutions."
"We set out to accomplish an enormous task and we’ve learned a tremendous amount about starting a research programme like this one (with chimps new to research, training, and their surroundings). This group of chimps has come a long way in the past 18 months! They are quite the characters - funny, clever, and sometimes a bit quirky. I only hope they’ll be interested in working with me in the future."
Iain Valentine, Head of Animals, Conservation & Education for RZSS, said:
“This type of behavioural research is a huge part of why we chose to build Budongo Trail. The Chimpcam Project is just the first of many fascinating studies that will give us a greater understanding of our closest living relative. It builds upon the cognitive research programme within RZSS that involves many species within Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park.”
Natural World – The Chimpcam Project will be shown on Wednesday 27 January, 8pm-9pm on BBC 2.
Editor’s Notes
About Budongo Trail & RZSS
Budongo Trail opened at Edinburgh Zoo on 1 May 2008. It cost £5.8 million to build. It encompasses over 1500m² and can accommodate up to 40 chimpanzees. Edinburgh Zoo currently has 11 chimpanzees.
The building has been designed to stimulate the chimpanzees and encourage natural behaviour in accordance with recommendations made by Professor Vernon Reynolds, a world leading primatologist and founder of the Budongo Conservation Field Station in Uganda. Professor Reynolds has studied chimpanzees for the past 44 years.
The Budongo Trail incorporates a purpose built research centre where scientists and zoologists from universities can study chimpanzee behaviour. Visitors can view the researchers working through unique windows overlooking the research offices.
The keepers use positive reinforcement training (also known as clicker or target training). This involves encouraging the chimpanzee to do a particular action such as displaying the soles of their feet so the keepers can check for injuries. If successful the chimp is rewarded with a treat such a fruit juice. Participation in training and research activities is completely voluntary.
Budongo Trail is named after the Budongo Forest in Uganda. RZSS are the primary sponsors of the Budongo Conservation Field Station, a research centre in the heart of the forest dedicated to the conservation of chimpanzees and their habitats.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is the charity that runs Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park.
RZSS was founded by visionary lawyer Thomas Gillespie. The Society was set up in 1909 ‘to promote, facilitate and encourage the study of zoology and kindred subjects and to foster and develop amongst the people an interest in and knowledge of animal life’. The Society celebrates its centenary this year.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is a registered charity, charity no SC004064.
About Burning Gold Productions
- ‘Burning Gold Productions’ is a production company situated in Bristol, England. From initially making natural history films within the BBC, its sphere of activity has expanded to independent natural history and science production for clients worldwide.
- The team has worked on projects that have won prestigious awards, including:
- Winner Best Earth Sciences Program, Jackson Hole Wildlife Festival 2009
- Winner at 29th Annual News and Documentary EMMY AWARDS for Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Cinematography – Nature Documentaries/Dramatic Recreations
- Winner ‘Golden Camera’ award for documentary at International Film and Video Festival, California, 2002, 2004 and 2009
- Winner of Best in Festival, Telenatura (Spain) 2004
- Winner, Gold World Medal at New York Festival, 2002
- ‘Silver Screen Award’ International Film and Video Festival, California 2006
- Winner Best Limited Series, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival 2007
About Stirling University
- Betsy Herrelko is a PhD student at the University of Stirling.
- Her Academic Supervisors are Dr Sarah-Jane Vick and Professor Hannah M. Buchanan-Smith.
- Betsy is part of the Behaviour and Evolution Research Group at Stirling. This group looks at the study of animal behaviour with a particular emphasis on primate behaviour. Research within the group covers a wide range of areas including: behaviour, cognition, conservation, ecology and welfare. Species studied include chimpanzees, baboons, macaques, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, marmosets and tamarins. Research is conducted through collaborative links with research institutes and zoos in Europe and the USA and sites in Africa, South America and Asia.
- This group forms part of the larger Scottish Primate Research Group. Primatologists from Stirling are amongst the original founder members of the SPRG when it was formed in 1987. The SPRG regularly brings together researchers from Stirling with those from St Andrews, Edinburgh and Abertay.
Chimpcam Project photographs © Kevin Flay