CONVENTION OF CRITICS?—The gorillas in the Frankfurt Zoo have been allowed to watch television since last November. Just as people do, the intelligent apes suffer from boredom, especially during the winter season when not many visitors come. The animals then start to pull out their hair and become depressed. The afternoon programme of German television is meant to provide help in this case. Frankfurt’s famous zoo director. Professor Grzimek, Government commissioner for matters of nature protection, has already made successful film experiments with other animals. The interest in what is happening on the screen differs among the eight gorillas. Whereas pater familias Matze (360lb and mother Makula are interested only in loud presentations, the smaller ones are attracted by optical turbulence. None of them are interested in the news, A pedagogics student will observe the television reactions of the gorillas and write her thesis on this subject.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32522, 4 February 1971, Page 4

CONVENTION OF CRITICS?—The gorillas in the Frankfurt Zoo have been allowed to watch television since last November. Just as people do, the intelligent apes suffer from boredom, especially during the winter season when not many visitors come. The animals then start to pull out their hair and become depressed. The afternoon programme of German television is meant to provide help in this case. Frankfurt’s famous zoo director. Professor Grzimek, Government commissioner for matters of nature protection, has already made successful film experiments with other animals. The interest in what is happening on the screen differs among the eight gorillas. Whereas pater familias Matze (360lb and mother Makula are interested only in loud presentations, the smaller ones are attracted by optical turbulence. None of them are interested in the news, A pedagogics student will observe the television reactions of the gorillas and write her thesis on this subject.