Gorilla Game Lab: Designing tangible and digital games to enhance the well-being of zoo-housed gorillas

We invite you to a special evening lecture and panel discussion on this novel research project.

The Gorilla Game Lab team integrates a diverse range of skill sets, comprising a zoo animal welfare scientist (Dr Fay Clark), human-computer interaction researchers (Dr Peter Bennett, Dr Stuart Gray, and Dr Kirsten Cater), a comparative psychologist (Dr Katy Burgess) and award-winning product designer (Tom Metcalfe). The team members will talk about the inspiration for the project and its roots in animal welfare; the gorilla-centred design process and initial trials with the Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) troop at Bristol Zoo Gardens; before hosting a panel discussion with questions from the audience. These events will be followed by a chance for attendees to network, test out the Gorilla Game Lab prototypes and to chat more to the team, accompanied with drinks and nibbles.

“Gorilla Game Lab applies innovative game technology to animal welfare science. We have developed an interactive cognitive challenge (‘game’) for gorillas which builds on cutting-edge human-animal interaction technologies and participatory design methods”

-Dr Peter Bennett, Creative Technologist

The objectives of Gorilla Game Lab are to answer the following questions:

1. Can cognitive game-play enhance the well-being of zoo-housed gorillas?
2. Can higher forms of engagement such a ‘flow state’ be observed in zoo-housed gorillas?
3. How does the gaming technology affect zoo visitor perception of gorilla intelligence and well-being?

Captive animals can thrive with the addition of cognitive challenges in their environment (Meehan & Mench, 2007) but unfortunately, research in zoos has been impeded by a lack of access to technology (Clark, 2017). Currently, the gorillas at Bristol Zoo Gardens have many opportunities to lead a rich social life, but their physical cognitive skills could be challenged to a higher degree.

Gorilla Game Lab hopes to develop a ‘game’ for the gorilla social group which is stimulating, rewarding, promotes play, and gives gorillas more choices and control in their environment. The ultimate aim of the game will be to induce something akin to the human state of ‘Flow’ (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), a positive psychological state of pleasure and satisfaction reported when fully absorbed in a task. To our knowledge, no-one has scientifically measured Flow in non-human animals and this alone would be a major advance in cognitive science.

This project was funded by the University of Bristol Brigstow Institute, who the research team wish to thank for their continued support. This event is part of the Brigstow Festival: Reimagining Research Together.

So join us at Bristol Zoo Gardens on Wednesday 14th of November at 18:00 to find out more! We look forward to seeing you.

Enquiries: Fay Clark fclark@bristolzoo.org.uk

Travel Instructions: this event will be held in the Conservation Education Centre of Bristol Zoo Gardens. Access is via the side entrance on Guthrie Road. Postcode BS8 3HA. Please note that the main zoo will not be open at this time, and access will only be via Guthrie road. On-street parking is available but public transport is encouraged. Please see the zoo's full access statement for more information.