She is a captive bred Sumatran orangutan. He is a neuroscientist specialising in cognitive and sensory systems research. With the help of specially adapted eye tracking equipment they are hoping to explain some of the mysteries of the visual brain and improve the lives of captive bred animals.
Dr Neil Mennie, from The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC), has received funding from Ministry of Science and Technology and Innovation, Malaysia (MOSTI) to study the eye movements of Tsunami a seven year old orangutan at The National Zoo of Malaysia (Zoo Negara). Not only will Dr Mennie's research address vital questions about the visual cognition of humans and apes in natural tasks, it will also provide valuable enrichment for the juvenile captive-born orangutan.
Dr Mennie said: "Orangutans are particularly interesting because to survive in the treetops they must be very spatially aware of their surroundings. I hope to investigate their ability to search for food and to compare their progress with humans in 3D search and foraging tasks."
Dr Mennie, who is from the Cognitive and Sensory Systems Research Group in the School of Psychology at UNMC, is interested in how humans and apes use their brains to learn and make predictions about our surroundings. With the help of Tsunami's keeper, Mohd Sharullizam Ramli, and the special eye tracking equipment that is worn over her head and shoulders, Dr Mennie has spent the last year recording Tsunami's eye and body movements during the performance of complex actions such as locomotion, foraging for food and manipulation of small objects.
Tracking the eyes of an Orangutan
Tsunami was slowly introduced to the idea of wearing the eye tracking equipment that consists of a back pack containing a wireless transmitter. This pack back transmits data from two video cameras mounted on her head-band. As Tsunami performs various natural tasks foraging for food, using tools, m
'/>"/>
| Contact: Lindsay Brooke lindsay.brooke@nottingham.ac.uk 44-011-595-15751 University of Nottingham Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Stinging came before seeing
2. Seeing inside tissue
3. 7th World Congress for Rett Syndrome to convene in New Orleans, La., June 22-26
4. Worlds leading coral experts to gather in Australia
5. Ottawa researchers to lead world-first clinical trial of stem cell therapy for septic shock
6. New paper examines poison resistance in snakes around the world
7. Global Information Inc. Announces Discounted Conference Registration For Bio-IT World Asia and Biodetection Technologies 2012
8. MedNet Solutions to Demonstrate Its Innovative Suite of eClinical Solutions at the 2012 Bio-IT World Conference & Expo
9. Lizard moms may prepare their babies for a stressful world
10. Botanical institutions announce plans to create first online World Flora
11. Ethical Adaptation to Climate Change envisions the good life in a harsher world
 |
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |