While most humans are still using regular Full HD and lower resolutions TV sets, the lemurs and langurs protected by the internationally renowned animal conservation charity, The Aspinall Foundation, have Sony’s Bravia 4K TV’s to see detailed and life-like footage of wild spaces.
Strange as it may sound, the introduction of TV sets into the primate enclosures is part of an ongoing multi step programme, entitled “Back to the Wild”, which aims to prepare the lemurs and langurs at Port Lympne Reserve for their possible journey ahead, when they are introduced to protected areas of their natural habitat from 2016 onwards.
Port Lympne Reserve, near Ashford in Kent, is one of the largest wild animal parks in the UK. Set over 600 acres, the reserve is home to Kent’s authentic safari experience. Visitors can jump on board a safari truck and journey to the African Experience, 100 acres of Kent savannah – alive with African animals, with spectacular views over the Kent countryside and coast.
As part of The Aspinall Foundation, Port Lympne Reserve is devoted to protecting rare and endangered animals and returning them to protected areas in the wild, wherever possible. Port Lympne is extensively involved in exchange and breeding programmes throughout the world and have had many breeding successes.
This new experience, which started early this December, uses Sony Bravia X90C 4K Ultra HD TVs. It allows, according to the information available from the foundation, “primates to watch footage of their natural habitats in Java and Madagascar in detailed life-like 4K quality, to possibly help them familiarize themselves with their potential new homes.”
Simon Jeffery, Animal Manager at Port Lympne Reserve, commented: “At Port Lympne, we’re always looking for new ways to engage and stimulate our animals. We use all sorts of different techniques to do this to keep our animals as interested and healthy as possible. Sometimes the enrichment can involve scents or tastes or even new climbing features or toys but this time we wanted to try something a little different to see if they would be interested in their natural habitats in the wild.
“While our large enclosures are designed to resemble the animals’ natural habitat as closely as possible, we decided to give our langurs and lemurs an actual peek of areas in the wild that could, potentially, become their new homes. Sony Bravia 4K TV picture quality is so clear and detailed that it’s as close to seeing the rainforest with your own eyes.”
The new Bravia X90C series brings stunning 4K picture quality to whatever image is on the screen. Thanks to the powerful 4K Processor X1 the clarity and contrast of every scene is now even more lifelike. As for the colour of the picture, it’s Sony’s unique TRILUMINOS Display technology that lets us enjoy the widest colour range ever, making the lush green rainforests look incredibly rich and vivid.
Lemurs and langurs have not yet made any comments about the experience. They’re probably… watching TV!