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[monkeywire] Zoo turns lonely chimp into TV addict

From: "carrie mclaren" <brooklynite282 AT gmail.com>
To: monkeywire AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [monkeywire] Zoo turns lonely chimp into TV addict
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:34:24 -0500

Zoo turns lonely chimp into couch potato
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-01-07 09:20
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-01/07/content_6374583.htm

Concerned that a chimp in a zoo in Qingdao, Shandong Province, was getting
lonely, zookeepers installed a TV set last September to keep the animal
occupied.

To their surprise, the chimp became addicted to TV programs and would sit in
front of the TV set all day.

It has even skipped meals to catch its favorite shows.

The zookeepers were in a plight - TV addiction is harming the chimp but
turning off the set will make the animal moody.

They recently found out a way to let the chimp exercise more by bringing a
rabbit into its playground. It seems to be working well as the chimp keeps
chasing the rabbit around.

(Qingdao Morning Post)

[monkeywire] Zoo turns lonely chimp into TV addict, carrie mclaren, 01/10/2008