Latest news with #OaklandZoo
BreakingNews.ie
23-06-2025
- Science
- BreakingNews.ie
Chimps share with children sense of curiosity for social interactions
Chimpanzees share a sense of curiosity with children and enjoy watching social interactions in a similar way, according to a study. An international team of researchers found that chimpanzees and young children prefer to watch videos of social interactions compared to videos of a single individual. Advertisement They also found that young children and male chimpanzees were even willing to give up a treat to watch the videos. The study involved three experiments carried out at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda and at Oakland Zoo and the Lawrence Hall of Science in California. The researchers built two 'curiosity boxes' which held tablets playing different videos with one showing social interaction such as grooming, playing or arguing with the other showing just an individual acting alone. In the first experiment involving chimpanzees and children aged between four and six, they found that both species spent more time watching the social scenes. Advertisement In the second, the participants had to choose between a reward – jackfruit seeds for chimps and marbles for children – for the chance to watch a social video. They found that some younger children and male chimpanzees would choose the video over the treat. For the third experiment, they tested whether the participants preferred watching positive interactions such as grooming or play or negative ones such as conflict. They found the chimpanzees did not appear to show a strong preference, while the humans did. Advertisement The researcher said boys as they got older preferred negative scenes while the girls were more interested in positive ones. Dr Esther Herrman, of the University of Portsmouth's Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, who co-authored the research, said: 'This study tells us that curiosity about what others are doing – what you might call being a bit nosy – starts young and runs deep. 'It's probably something that helps not only us but also our closest living relatives to survive and thrive in complex social groups.' She added: 'This kind of social curiosity is actually really important for learning about our environment, making decisions and building relationships.' Advertisement The researchers say the study results, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, indicate that human curiosity could be a trait inherited millions of years ago from a common ancestor we had with chimpanzees. Lead author, Dr Laura Simone Lewis at the University of California in Santa Barbara, said: 'Our strong interest in the lives of others – think gossip magazines and celebrity shows – seems to have deep evolutionary roots in our great ape lineage.'
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Chimps share with children sense of curiosity for social interactions
Chimpanzees share a sense of curiosity with children and enjoy watching social interactions in a similar way, according to a study. An international team of researchers found that chimpanzees and young children prefer to watch videos of social interactions compared to videos of a single individual. They also found that young children and male chimpanzees were even willing to give up a treat to watch the videos. The study involved three experiments carried out at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda and at Oakland Zoo and the Lawrence Hall of Science in California. The researchers built two 'curiosity boxes' which held tablets playing different videos with one showing social interaction such as grooming, playing or arguing with the other showing just an individual acting alone. In the first experiment involving chimpanzees and children aged between four and six, they found that both species spent more time watching the social scenes. In the second, the participants had to choose between a reward – jackfruit seeds for chimps and marbles for children – for the chance to watch a social video. They found that some younger children and male chimpanzees would choose the video over the treat. For the third experiment, they tested whether the participants preferred watching positive interactions such as grooming or play or negative ones such as conflict. They found the chimpanzees did not appear to show a strong preference, while the humans did. The researcher said boys as they got older preferred negative scenes while the girls were more interested in positive ones. Dr Esther Herrman, of the University of Portsmouth's Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, who co-authored the research, said: 'This study tells us that curiosity about what others are doing – what you might call being a bit nosy – starts young and runs deep. 'It's probably something that helps not only us but also our closest living relatives to survive and thrive in complex social groups.' She added: 'This kind of social curiosity is actually really important for learning about our environment, making decisions and building relationships.' The researchers say the study results, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, indicate that human curiosity could be a trait inherited millions of years ago from a common ancestor we had with chimpanzees. Lead author, Dr Laura Simone Lewis at the University of California in Santa Barbara, said: 'Our strong interest in the lives of others – think gossip magazines and celebrity shows – seems to have deep evolutionary roots in our great ape lineage.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Authorities rescue endangered creature discovered during major drug bust: 'The broader story is devastating'
The Oakland Zoo has a new, adorable, bug-eyed friend: Violeta, the spider monkey. The local Sheriff's department rescued her during a narcotics-related search in Vallejo, California. Veterinarians at the Oakland Zoo believe she's about 18 months old and said she is in stable condition, as Patch reported. Violeta's veterinary team will provide medical treatment, including calcium supplements, a special diet, and enrichment care while she recovers. Although things are looking up for the monkey, her capture ignites conversations about wildlife trade. "But the broader story is devastating," said the zoo's vice president of animal care, conservation, and research, Colleen Kinzley, per Patch. "These animals are often torn from the wild under horrific conditions — mothers shot, infants falling from trees — and smuggled into the pet trade." Spider monkeys are on the brink of extinction, mainly due to habitat loss and wildlife trafficking. Patch reported that zoo CEO Nik Dehejia said, "[T]he impact on their health, social development, and chances for survival is often irreversible." For now, the Oakland Zoo is working with Violeta until she recovers. Then, a transfer to a long-term sanctuary or zoo will be facilitated. This is not the first wild animal the zoo — and others like it — have helped rehabilitate after confiscation. Although many states ban owning wildlife, that hasn't stopped traffickers from taking animals like spider monkeys. While these animals are cute, there are numerous reasons why people shouldn't keep them as pets. Do you think people should be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets? Yes No It depends on the animal It depends on the person Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. For example, your family's or other pets' risk of disease goes up, and wildlife veterinary needs are expensive. They can also cause unsanitary conditions and safety issues. Meanwhile, if you get caught with one, you may face a hefty fine and lose the animal. "Wildlife trafficking is a growing conservation crisis, driving countless species, like spider monkeys and other nonhuman primates, toward extinction," Dehejia said, as ABC News reported. So, while watching videos of adorable spider monkeys online or visiting animals at a zoo might be fun, it's best to think twice about buying one. While you may not be able to perform rehab at a zoo, there are plenty of ways you can step up to stop animal trafficking. An easy action that Not A Pet suggests you take today is to avoid sharing videos of wild animal pets on social media. You can also take local action by contacting your legislators and telling them to support the Captive Primate Safety Act, a bill pointed to by Dehejia that would prohibit individuals from owning primates. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Watch: Spider monkey rescued during drug bust now thriving at the zoo
OAKLAND, California (WJW) – A young spider monkey named Violeta is enjoying her new home at the Oakland Zoo after being rescued alongside rattlesnakes during a drug bust last month. The investigation started when deputies with the Solano County Sheriff's Office stopped a vehicle in the city of Vallejo on May 6. During the traffic stop, deputies confiscated half a pound of methamphetamine and arrested 50-year-old Clifford Vincenty, the department said on Facebook at the time. Vincenty, a California man, was taken into custody and charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale. Salmonella outbreak tied to eggs sickens dozens across 7 states The next day, law enforcement conducted a search at Vincenty's Vallejo home, where investigators reported finding another pound of meth, more than $2,000 in cash, a spider monkey and two rattlesnakes. According to the sheriff's office, animal control officials removed the animals from the home. The Facebook post said Vincenty would be facing additional charges. The spider monkey, believed to be about 18-months old at the time, was taken to the Oakland Zoo's Veterinary Hospital. 'Veterinary Hospital staff are taking measures to ensure Violeta's overall wellbeing and have reported that she is doing well in her temporary home where keepers have set up enrichment, along with blankets and toys to keep her comfortable and stimulated,' the zoo said in a May press release. 'They are providing her with a healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, and she is drinking formula that will help to minimize the likelihood of pathologic bony fractures.' Later in the month, zoo officials said Violeta was making 'incredible progress.' 'Her corneal ulcers have fully healed, and she's now active and engaged, especially during social enrichment,' zoo officials said on X. Graduates galore! Northeast Ohio mom and 3 daughters graduate in the same month In another update on Friday, the Oakland Zoo posted a video of Violeta playing in her new enclosure. 'Guess who's out of quarantine and loving her new space? Violeta is!' the post said on X. 'Cleared of all infectious disease testing, she's moved to a larger area and is gaining weight slowly but steadily!' The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists spider monkeys as an endangered species. According to the Oakland Zoo, they are one of the most trafficked animals over the U.S.-Mexico border. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Three-alarm brush fire scorches Oakland Hills
The Brief The fire broke out just after 9 p.m. in the area of Skyline Boulevard and Grass Valley Road. Crews managed to stop progress of the fire about an hour later. Firefighters will remain on scene overnight to fully extinguish the blaze. OAKLAND, Calif. - A brush fire scorched a hillside in Oakland on Saturday night, prompting a large, multi-agency response as officials gathered to combat the blaze. The fire was initially reported to be a two-alarm event and was reported to be burning in the area of Skyline Boulevard and Grass Valley Road in the Chabot Park neighborhood – about two miles east of the Oakland Zoo – just after 9 p.m., according to the Oakland Fire Department. The brusher was quickly upgraded to a three-alarm fire, and more than 50 firefighters were deployed to deal with flames in about 150 square feet of brush that were burning at a slow rate of speed, the OFD told KTVU. No buildings were reported to be threatened by the flames. OFD Chief Damon Covington told KTVU that ground units worked quickly to get the blaze contained. "Crews have done a fantastic job of really getting to the head of the fire and getting control of the fire," he said. Cal Fire, East Bay Regional Park District and Oakland Police Department units assisted in the response. Forward progress of the brush fire was halted by about 10:10 p.m., and roughly 60 firefighters at the scene managed to surround the blaze, the OFD said. Covington told KTVU that firefighters would likely remain on the scene throughout the night to completely extinguish the fire and mop up any lingering hot spots. "We are on the verge of fire season," Covington said. "We're ready to go, our team is ready to go. And this was an example of it."
