Is there such thing as a good cage? Happy gorillas, deft landscape architects, and neurologists show us that there just might be. We go back to the late 1970s to relive the moment when zoos began to change. Literally, the moment, that the modern zoo was born, as embodied by a few tentative steps of a gorilla named Kiki. That story told by zoo director David Hancocks, architect Grant Jones, and gorilla keeper Violet Sunde. Then we'll hear about work done by neuroscientists Elizabeth Gould at Princeton and Fernando Nottebohm at Rockefeller who are looking into the brain to see the effects of living in a cage.
Also check out:
Marina Belozerskaya's book The Medici Giraffe
Comments [18]
This is one of my favorite Radiolab broadcasts ever. Even though we are talking about animals in this story, humans need enriched environments and honest, natural stimulation (relationships, opportunities to solve problems, GOOD food!) to thrive as well. We all know this, of course, but seeing this analogy definitely pulls on the heartstrings in a way that Feed the Children commercials don't.
All I could think about during the report on brain research was all the workers in cubes day after day my cube now is an "office." Without a window. And business magazines fret about how difficult innovation is. Duh.
My first Radiolab podcast I listened to and it was WONDERFUL except for one thing....and it's a big one. I wasn't sure who was calling the Gorillas monkeys - and I REALLY hope it wasn't the scientists - but Gorillas are apes, not monkeys. Don't worry, I'm still listening.
One of the most interesting and compelling stories I've heard on KUOW. Well done.
I found "Zoo" overall extraordinary radio and, having heard it at least three times, I felt compelled to let you know how much your knowledge and creativity are appreciated. Between Radiolab, This American Life, and random special radio shows, I feel I'm experiencing the golden-est age of radio. Keep up the wonderful work.
Rena--I think that was *1878*.
I quite enjoyed this. Made me cry, actually.
"Walking in the Zoo" coined the word "zoo" in 1978? Hmm...better check those facts again. Simon & Garfunkel's hit "At the Zoo" was on a 1968 record.
the only reason im listening to this is because i have to do a project...worst project of my life!!! :p
yellow fluff is gross..even though it has nothing to do with zoos
i love making comments there fun
THIS PROGRAM IS STUPID!!!!
I DONT UNDERSTAND A THING YOUR TALKING ABOUT!!!
They did not necessarily kill the animals to see what is happening with their brains. Most probably they did the same they would do with humans to find out what is going on with their brain, which does not involve autopsy.
It seems a no-brainer to me that an enriched enviroment benefits animals in captivity, but it is fascintating to learn of its evolution. One gripe I have is that when the story talks about looking at the brains of the animals it is said in such sanitzed terms. I assume that in order to learn what they did about the changes in the animal's brains they killed them. I feel that should be stated: We killed these animals and examined their brains. Own it. To me, that is completely unacceptable. Instead of slaughtering animals they could have simply observed them in their environments for a period of time and their behaviors would have told them what they needed to know in terms of whether the animals were benefitting.
I remember going to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, TX in the early 1970's, in which a number of animals were housed on little islands near the river, a very natural looking setting, and zoo visitors would walk around on piers/boardwalks built over the water. To me this remains the most amazing breakthrough in zoos that I saw personally, pre-dating Seattle, perhaps.
It was amazing how the reporter could take science and twist it to his point of view. Statements were made that had no support from evidence. Before the twentieth century mankind only brutalized animals? Where do you get such an idea? There were plenty of people that abused animals, but there were also many people that cared for both wild and domestic animals. One person states primate brains showed 20 to 40% improvement with a better environment. The second says “Forty percent!” No, not forty percent! He said 20 to 40%! That is a big difference!
"Cage" has such a negative connotation.
I think there are good enclosures to use in order to protect endangered animals. Similar to humans, i think some animals fare a great deal better than others in the wild, whereas some do not.
A very interesting and amazing show, as usual. The point of a 'good' environment for the gorillas creating more brain growth in them did not following with or compare to any studies on 'good' environment for humans. Are we to not infer this? What does this say about us?
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