DO ANIMALS THINK?

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12253, 8 April 1935, Page 3

DO ANIMALS THINK?

INTELLIGENCE TESTS AT ZOO. Animals can definitely think, especially some of the great apes. In some tilings some o.f the apes are more intelligent than man, writes Mr T. Cr. Middleton in the “Johannesburg Star.’ 5 The domestic cat, the dog, or the horse, are not by any means as intelligent as some of the ' jungle beasts, great as is the advantage which, wives will agree, the former have received from contact with “intelligent and reasonable'' man. These are only some of the interesting conclusions of scientists when a series of intelligence tests for animals was recently held, a. kind of school examination for the inhabit tants of the zoo, to determine which were the “brainiest” members of he animal, world. After a series of interesting tests the beasts were placed in the following order of intelligence:— 1 The Chimpanzee 2 The Orang-CJtang 3 The Elephant. 4 The Gorilla 5 Domestic Dog 6 Beaver 7 Domestic. Horse S Sea Lion W Bear 10 Domestic Cat Those who have little time for cats after having mistakenly thrown the best pair of hoots at a. (Serenading tom will be glad to see that tho cat- comes last, with the dog five places ahead. This is not all. The experiments have revealed beyond a ishadow of doubt, say the scientists responsible, that certain animals, particularly of the ape class, in meeting the condition*; of their environment, show a greater intelligence than most men do in their world. The animal tests are not based on the standard of human brain power and it is now possible to indicate that certain species actually possess powers that are far beyond the possibilities and conceptions of humans. Eor instance, it is common knowledge that a dog has, a sense of smell and scent association totally impossible to the hnman nose and that to that power it attaches extraordinary intelligence. The bloodhound and foxhound are notable examples, but even the lowliest family pet terrier can differentiate between articles with amazing accuracy by this scent-sense. But it is now known that the bee can see radiations in the ultra-vio-let rays to which man’s oye are completely blind. Decent tests have revealed this power to he far greater than was even thought to he the case when the line of investigation was first begun. The snake’s unique tongue is connected with nerve sense that enables it to ho able to taste it whilst tho tongue and the prey are still both in the air. Many birds and beasts can hear and distinguish isounds that arc beyond human power, whilst the eyesight of birds is so adaptable and sensitive that even in the fiercest and most rapid swoop-flignt it can register speed, objective and distance, although each of them is changing at an enormous rate. Animals, too, the tests indicate, register distinct emotions isuch as anger. affection, sympathy, jealousy and so on that demonstrate a. definite understanding” of the conditions causing those emotions. Of all the beasts in our “school,” however, it is now clear that the chimpanzee shows greater aptitude for learning as distinct from the mere training to do tricks. In these tests pure tricks were avoided. Not the least of the tests was as to the ability to use tools and in this direction the chimpanzee was an easy first. In fact, the ape class generally was the only one that responded at all intelligently to fits difficult test. For instance ,sticks that fitted into each other to form longer sticks, poles with hooks at the end and sticks with fork ends were hidden among the straw of .the apes’ dens or behind boxes and trees. Within a few days of the apes’ finding them they were observed puzTing their b r ains as to the uses to which they could be put. And it was not long before they found quite a number of uses —loosening fruit from the trees, making elongated poles and fastening the forked ends to them to reach places otherwise out of reach, stacking up the boxes to give them stih easier access, and all this without the slightest suggestion or teaching. One chimpanzee learned not only how to sew, hut what and where to sew, while a female orang-utang learned to 'dress herself completely in the many garments of a woman and knew the right order each time of putting on the clothes, even though the samples of items were changed repeatedly. The elephant is classed as the philosopher of the animals. Actually he is described. ata being wiser than liis fellows and especially so in his quick adaptation to new .surroundings. Within a few weeks of being captured it is found that a previously wild living jungle-living elephant will be using doors and civilised ideas quite easily. He wall quickly pick up the “inside” of a job of work and having done so will go on performing his task without any need for .further tuition or coaxing or driving—if properly treated. Puzzle box .tests with as many as 10 different levers and fastenings to manipulate were mastered far more quickly by the ap.es than by any other dogs in particular, taking a tremendous amoun,t cj actual training before “seeing” the idea/, while the ape frequently “discovered” the secrets of . the boxes unaided. The beaver ranks high in ingenuity. The horse inclines mostly to rely 1 too much on a teacher always being near. Sea-lions rank very, close to the elephants for sharpness in grasping ideas suggested to them. Bears demonstrate a .special aptitude for geftipg "filings things done easily and

with the minimum of exertion, and the cat lias the most pronounced quality .of independence.. • A domestic cat will , always stand up- for what it considers it rights, not in the stubborn way of a mule, but with a positive; intelligence.

And ■so the “'Zoo College” develops. It is a study of intense interest.;