WATCH: KZN monkeys are getting the hang of using a touchscreen

WATCH: KZN monkeys are getting the hang of using a touchscreen

KwaZulu-Natal's monkeys are showing their hidden talents...

Vervet monkeys in a KwaZulu-Natal reserve are the first wild primates to learn to use a touchscreen.
Vervet monkeys in a KwaZulu-Natal reserve are the first wild primates to learn to use a touchscreen. Image: Rachel Harrison

It is common knowledge that monkeys and humans are closely related - and this is set to bridge that gap even further.

Monkeys in KwaZulu-Natal are starting to get the hang of smart devices. 

Read more: Monkey invasion! Here's how to safely interact with monkeys in KZN

According to Business Insider, monkeys in a KZN reserve have made history by becoming the first wild animals to learn to use a touchscreen.

This has been seen as a massive breakthrough in scientific circles. 

This means that scientists are expected to be able to study intelligence in non-human primates without having to keep them in captivity.

However, there has also been a warning from the researchers at Mawana Game Reserve

The researchers say monkeys using these touchscreens in close proximity to humans could be risky.

WATCH: Monkey comforting a man who was sad goes viral

Erica van de Waal is the team leader of the iNkawu Vervet Project at Mawana.

Their work revolves around an experiment where a 15kg box containing a screen, a battery, and corn kernels is used. It is tied to a tree and uses an active web hotspot. 

Whenever the small monkeys touch a blue square on the screen - first in a static position and then as it moves around the screen – they earn a few kernels of corn dispensed through a chute.

We look forward to hearing more about this research and what it means for us humans and our relationship with wild animals in the future.

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Main image attribution: Rachel Harrison

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