- Lemurs engage more with technology when humans share control over interactive systems
- Zoo visitors stayed longer when animals visibly responded to input
- Shared control increased both animal interaction frequency and visitor attention
A research team from the University of Glasgow has tested whether animals can engage with technology in ways similar to shared experiences with humans.
Their system, known as CreatureConnect, allowed zoo visitors and red lemurs to interact with sounds, images and scents through connected interfaces located on either side of an enclosure.
The starting point was not direct communication, but a mediated interaction where both species could influence the same environment.
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Red lemurs prefer to share control rather than act alone
During a 20-day trial at Blair Drummond Safari Park, more than 16,000 visitors passed through the exhibition, with 1,719 people actively using the system.
Lemurs interacted with the device 541 times, suggesting repeated engagement rather than casual contact.
The system varied between automatic, human-only, lemur-only, and shared control conditions, providing a structured comparison of behavior across different interaction types.
Results show that the lemurs were least engaged when given sole control of the system – instead, they interacted more frequently when humans were also involved, suggesting a preference for shared control over isolated use.
“We were surprised to find that the lemurs don’t necessarily want to control the device alone. Instead, they seem to want to share,” said Jiaqi Wang, a PhD student at the University of Glasgow’s School of Computing Science.
This contradicts the original expectations of animal independence in such settings. The animals also showed consistent preferences in the types of stimuli they activated.
High-intensity scents, bright visual patterns, and moderate sound levels elicited stronger responses, indicating that engagement was not random but tied to specific sensory conditions.
Human behavior changed noticeably when CreatureConnect was active, and this was accompanied by increased visitor numbers and longer stays in the enclosure.
“Using technology to foster high levels of engagement and empathy can help zoo visitors leave not just with happy memories, but also with a greater interest in wildlife conservation,” added Wang.
Visitors also reported greater enjoyment, empathy and a stronger connection when they perceived the animals responding to their input.
“It has been fascinating to see how engaged both visitors and lemurs were as they interacted with each other,” said Lorna Graham, research co-ordinator at Blair Drummond Safari Park.
“When people can see the lemurs react and make their own choices, something really seems to click. That shared moment creates a real connection – and when you feel connected to an animal, you’re far more likely to care about its future.”
The researchers believe that this type of mediated interaction could address a long-standing tension between animal welfare and visitor expectations.
If similar responses can be observed in lesser-known species, the approach could influence how public interest in conservation develops.
“Research like this helps us better understand what our animals value, while building deeper empathy between people and wildlife. It’s incredibly powerful for the future of conservation,” Graham added.
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