Two studies conducted by Openature Foundation, the research and conservation body of Parco Natura Viva, have shed new light on animal behaviour and cognitive abilities in chimpanzees and parrots. The findings were presented at the joint Congress of the Società Italiana di Etologia and the Associazione Primatologi Italiani, held at Bioparco di Roma.
In the first study, seven chimpanzees moved within their usual social setting, with the option to voluntarily trigger two different musical tracks using two strings (one yellow and one blue) with different rhythms. Researchers alternated periods with this sensory enrichment and periods without music, observing changes in group dynamics. During the music periods, the chimpanzees were more engaged in social relationships, and in the second enrichment phase there was a significant increase in affiliative behaviours: all seven individuals took part more evenly in group interactions, while differences between individuals remained for agonistic behaviour and dominance dynamics.
The second study involved twelve vasa parrots and reported scientific evidence not previously documented for the species. Over three months, researchers observed how the birds used their feet in different situations, comparing spontaneous activity with more complex problem-solving tasks. At rest, the left foot was used more often, while during object manipulation the right foot predominated; however, as the complexity of the tasks increased, more individuals showed significant lateralisation and a clearer preference for one foot. Caterina Spiezio, head of animal research at Openature Foundation, said observing animals in everyday life and during decision-making helps explain how they perceive and deal with their surroundings, adding that the two studies examined how sensory enrichment can affect social relationships in chimpanzees and how task complexity can make foot-use preferences more evident in vasa parrots.
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