Zookeepers Use TV to Entertain Gorillas

[Champ]

DALLAS - Like any 14-year-old, Patrick has varying tastes in television shows.

While he likes cartoons and public television, he's bored with sports. But National Geographic (news - web sites) specials fascinate him.

"We tried to put on sports, even though we were concerned it might generate aggressive behavior, but he really wasn't interested," said Cindy McCaleb, one of his keepers.

Patrick is among five western lowland gorillas who have been moved to the Dallas Zoo's indoor holding area since a March 18 escape and attack by another gorilla.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=816&ncid=816&e=1&u=/ap/20040531/ap_on_fe_st/gorilla_entertainment

[Senior citizen]

1. More proof that the average gorilla

is smarter than the average person.

[RC]

2. Any life form that doesn't like sports

is smarter than the average American.

[HFishbine]

3. This is not good

For years, the Atlanta Zoo kept it's star attraction, one Willy B., entertained by TV. It proved to lead to depression for the gorilla and lead to an eventual push to build habitats more conducive to gorilla happiness.