Lives of monkeys enriched
Students in Matthews' Human Evolution Class study, help their zoo neighbors
Erica Jones
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: Scene
Billy, the black-handed spider monkey, climbs and swings around his enclosure at the San Antonio Zoo. Shelby Douglas, sophomore, walks up to his cage. She calls his name, and he immediately grabs the nearest net and swings down to greet her, blowing a kiss in her direction.
"It's easy to get attached with a response like that," Douglas said. "He can recognize people that he sees often."
Douglas and her classmates in Associate Professor of Anthropology Jennifer Matthews', Human Evolution class are required to spend at least five hours observing the monkeys.
After so much time spent with the primates, Matthews and the students wanted to do everything they could to help them.
Over time, Matthews, noticed the zoo's lack of funding for toys for the animals, so she developed a toy drive program that accepts gently used toys to allow students to give back to their new furry friends.
"I've spent a lot of time in zoos. I can tell when the animal is unhappy," Matthews said. "They pace around and display repetitive behavior. Similar to any human, the monkeys will get bored within their enclosures. The enrichment items can help entertain the animals."
The enrichment items include anything from gently used stuffed animals, to dog toys, to the cardboard inserts inside toilet paper rolls and some other unexpected toys.
According to Whitney Wettberg, a first year in the class, the monkeys respond to different smells, so they also donate different kinds of perfumes.
Matthews has seen the monkeys respond to the enrichment items through the years and knows it makes a difference in their quality of life.
"A couple of years ago, a student donated a stuffed soccer ball toy, and the monkey became really attached to it," Matthews said. "They could never get him to put it down. When they had to wash it, they had to get another one so they could coax the monkey to drop one and switch it out. These toys really have an impact on the animals."
To Douglas, it's more than just about the impact it has on the monkeys, but the impact it has on the learning experience.
"The monkeys don't get as much attention as some of the other animals. They are our closest living relative and it's important to understand how early humans evolved," said Douglas.
Those interested in donating should bring any items to Matthews' office in Storch 020. Please e-mail Matthews with any questions about what is an appropriate enrichment item or any other information.
"I struggle with the cost of zoos. They're great for research but it takes away the animal's freedom," Matthews said. "Since I know that zoos aren't going anywhere anytime soon, these enrichment toys at least make the animals as comfortable as possible."
After the toys have been delivered to the animals, Douglas hopes to go back to see Billy play with the gifts the students have given him.
"It's easy to get attached with a response like that," Douglas said. "He can recognize people that he sees often."
Douglas and her classmates in Associate Professor of Anthropology Jennifer Matthews', Human Evolution class are required to spend at least five hours observing the monkeys.
After so much time spent with the primates, Matthews and the students wanted to do everything they could to help them.
Over time, Matthews, noticed the zoo's lack of funding for toys for the animals, so she developed a toy drive program that accepts gently used toys to allow students to give back to their new furry friends.
"I've spent a lot of time in zoos. I can tell when the animal is unhappy," Matthews said. "They pace around and display repetitive behavior. Similar to any human, the monkeys will get bored within their enclosures. The enrichment items can help entertain the animals."
The enrichment items include anything from gently used stuffed animals, to dog toys, to the cardboard inserts inside toilet paper rolls and some other unexpected toys.
According to Whitney Wettberg, a first year in the class, the monkeys respond to different smells, so they also donate different kinds of perfumes.
Matthews has seen the monkeys respond to the enrichment items through the years and knows it makes a difference in their quality of life.
"A couple of years ago, a student donated a stuffed soccer ball toy, and the monkey became really attached to it," Matthews said. "They could never get him to put it down. When they had to wash it, they had to get another one so they could coax the monkey to drop one and switch it out. These toys really have an impact on the animals."
To Douglas, it's more than just about the impact it has on the monkeys, but the impact it has on the learning experience.
"The monkeys don't get as much attention as some of the other animals. They are our closest living relative and it's important to understand how early humans evolved," said Douglas.
Those interested in donating should bring any items to Matthews' office in Storch 020. Please e-mail Matthews with any questions about what is an appropriate enrichment item or any other information.
"I struggle with the cost of zoos. They're great for research but it takes away the animal's freedom," Matthews said. "Since I know that zoos aren't going anywhere anytime soon, these enrichment toys at least make the animals as comfortable as possible."
After the toys have been delivered to the animals, Douglas hopes to go back to see Billy play with the gifts the students have given him.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
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posted 3/11/10 @ 10:05 AM CST
Monkeys are very clever animals, and we should know and respect their as also citizens of our big planet
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posted 3/16/10 @ 9:21 AM CST
Nice to hear that story, so I'd like the read to sequel. =)
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