Experts say VR could trigger side effects in chimps that we do not know of

A video of a chimpanzee ‘playing in virtual reality’ has garnered mixed reactions across the internet as viewers remain torn on whether it is harmless fun, or if it edges on animal cruelty.

In the video, the chimpanzee named Sugriva can be seen wearing an HTC Vive headset and swatting at the air as he follows objects on the screen – an experience many humans can relate to.

But, VR is known to cause a slew of side effects, from dizziness to disorientation, and experts argue that the chimp doesn’t understand what’s happening, and may keep the headset on even if he is uncomfortable as result of his training in captivity.

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A video of a chimpanzee ‘playing in virtual reality’ has garnered mixed reactions across the internet as viewers remain torn on whether it is harmless fun, or if it edges on animal cruelty. Sugriva the chimp can be seen above, wearing an HTC Vive VR headset

The video was posted on Instagram by ‘Doc’ Antle, founder of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS), and shows a chimp at the Myrtle Beach Safari wearing a VR headset.

‘He can take it off anytime,’ the post explains.

‘He does and can put it on anytime but needs help adjusting it to fit well. Because he has a very small nose it slides down and he holds it sometimes.

‘He is a very strong guy and makes his own mind when he is done.’

Sugriva can be seen watching a human play with the headset first, and the video then cuts to a clip of the chimp wearing it himself.

Another video shows him removing the headset and looking from the screen inside to a monitor nearby before putting it back on himself, with some assistance.

The video was posted on Instagram by ‘Doc’ Antle, founder of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS), and shows a chimp at the Myrtle Beach Safari wearing a VR headset

He is even shown using the handheld controller as well and swatting at invisible objects as he moves around the room.

To some, it appears as though the chimpanzee is enjoying himself – but experts are wary.

‘Even a child, you can explain what it is – you can give them background information,’ Kerry Bowman, a bioethicist at the university of Toronto and president of the Canadian Ape Alliance, told Gizmodo.

‘Chimpanzees are different and their brains are different. It could trigger other responses we’re not aware of.

‘I found it troubling. I wouldn’t say the chimpanzee looks incredibly distressed, but he does look disoriented.’

In the video, the chimpanzee named Sugriva can be seen wearing an HTC Vive headset and swatting at the air as he follows objects on the screen – an experience many humans can relate to

The incredible #sugrivathechimp playing w VR , U can see how much he loves this stuff It's an enriching and enlightening experience for him that he finds fascinating and totally joyful We are getting a huge amount of Animal Rights (AR) blowback that he is somehow not enjoying this experience and it's cruel and unusual punishment for this happy go lucky incredible chimpanzee, that we share our life with 24/7 along with his brothers sisters ,parents & friends who have been in our lives for over 40 years. #chimplivesmatter #MyrtleBeachSafari for the support of the #RareSpeciesFund #WildLivesMatter #AnimalAddicts #AnimalLovers #monkeysofinstagram #videooftheday #makeup #makeupgeek #wildlifeowners #wildlifepreservation #wildlifeconservation #foodforthesoul #happy #smile #cute #love #lovemyjob #lovemylife #ChinaYork #DocAntle #wildlifefriend #babyanimals Posted by T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation Station on Saturday, 19 November 2016

Bowman also went on to explain that Sugriva’s training in captivity may leave him compliant in a situation where he may be unhappy, explaining why the chimp might not rip the headset off right away if feeling uncomfortable, Gizmodo reports.

The Myrtle Beach Safari, however, argues that the gameplay is an enriching experience for Sugriva.

‘U can see how much he loves this stuff,’ a subsequent post says.

‘It’s an enriching and enlightening experience for him that he finds fascinating and totally joyful

‘We are getting a huge amount of Animal Rights (AR) blowback that he is somehow not enjoying this experience and it’s cruel and unusual punishment for this happy go lucky incredible chimpanzee, that we share our life with 24/7 along with is brothers, sisters, parents & friends who have been in our lives for over 40 years.’