Primates have evolved special abilities which enable them to deal with food-gathering in a unique way. Field studies are providing an unprecedented wealth of information on the behaviour of free-ranging primates. In their natural environment, primates engage in a variety of complex activities, including intricate feeding behaviours. Chimpanzees have been observed to fashion and use tools. Orang utans may travel a considerable distance in their search for food and have been observed at mineral deposits.
Great apes are able to solve complex problems readily.
Chimpanzees appear to have insights and to develop hypotheses about new problems when food is a reward. The captive environment bears little resemblance to the wild. In contrast to foraging in the wild, the zoo animal is presented with food at regular time, and little or no effort or activity is required of the animal. In a well designed captive environment, animal would obtain food by means natural to it and at times determined by is own needs. In addition to enriching the animals' environment, feeders provide an opportunity for the collection of new information on animal behaviour.