Posted on 04/16/2007 11:41:47 AM PDT by DogByte6RER
Don't stare at the apes, zoo tells visitors
By Martin Banks
Last Updated: 1:15am BST 16/04/2007
Most people visit zoos to see the animals - but visitors to Antwerp Zoo in Belgium are being told not to look at the apes.
Instead, visitors are now confronted with signs telling them that making prolonged eye contact with the apes leaves them sad and withdrawn. Zoo staff reckon staring can result in the creatures becoming less sociable.
A spokesman said: "We are saying to visitors that, if our apes hold eye contact with them, then they should look away for a bit or take a step back. Our evidence shows that chimpanzees and other apes who have a lot of contact with visitors apparently tend to isolate themselves from their companions over the course of time."
But the policy has bemused some zoo-goers, who while used to signs asking them not to feed the animals, are now wondering if this is taking animal welfare a step too far.
Dirk Woldt, a teacher visiting the zoo with his family, said: "When we saw the signs, we thought it was a joke.
"The next thing you know, they'll be having to counsel the apes."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
They will steal you wallet/purse?.............
Is this coincidental or what, I just read a report that warns students and administrators at school (European) not to stare at Muslims because it might offend them.
The zoo staff asked her to leave the building, because the orangutans were not going to calm down, until they caught her! :)
Honestly, if everyone starts to sneak looks at the apes through the corner of their eyes they'll probably make the apes think there is some sort of conspiracy hatching.
Well it was good advice, Orangutans have been known to capture and rape human women, believe it or not. Sick but true!
Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode.
That is perhaps the most delusional and devolved modern culture on earth. First-world in appearance, third or fourth world in suicidal functionality.
Belgium is on my "must see" list right after Sudan, Darfur and Zaire...
Liberals should be in the cages, not the monkeys.
We went to the zoo together with my kids back in 2000. My kids ran ahead to the macaque's cage. There was an old monkey sitting on the floor picking at leaves. He glanced up briefly, then went back to idle picking.
My cousing walked up and the old monkey glanced again. His eyes lit up, he jumped up onto the cage and began jabbering. He recognized Mary - there was no doubt that he was delighted to see her. They chatted and gestured to each other for quite some time. At last we had to leave, and he was so sad.
Oh, my... that really is sad, but a beautiful story. Humans and animals can have such deep affection for each other. We are so blessed by this gift.
Having spent too many years doing primatology research, I can tell you this not a joke or multiculturism run amok. A direct stare from one primate (Rhesus, Chimp, Gorilla,etc) at another is a gesture of threat. If you were in the cage and one of these stared at you you had better avert your gaze or risk getting mauled.
Two related articles I posted here on Free Republic:
(BBC:) Should apes have human rights?:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1809075/posts
(Muslims as Zoo attractions) Concrete jungle: Sweden’s suburbs become cool:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1781931/posts
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