OKC Zoo sells NFT designed by resident orangutan
The Oklahoma City Zoo is selling the world’s first digital art NFT designed by a resident orangutan. Zoo officials said in a news release that they and the Oklahoma Zoological Society partnered with designers to create a unique animal enrichment facility that enables Elok, a 21-year-old male Sumatran orangutan at the zoo, to create digital artwork. The art is available for purchase as an NFT via an international auction on Friday. NFTs first appeared in 2014 and have grown in popularity in recent years. Oklahoma City Zoo officials hope the first digital NFT made from an animal will create global excitement. Elok’s NTFs will be available on the OpenSea.io auction website. So far, 10 NFTs are listed in Elok’s collection. All proceeds from Elok’s art will go towards preserving orangutans and other endangered species in the wild. “Enrichment provides engaging ways for animals to keep their minds and bodies active,” Becky Scheel, with Megafauna Studios, said in the press release. “Orangutans are highly intelligent, and using digital applications you can provide a form of enrichment that is individualized. Each of Elok’s creations, from the movement and balance to the composition, is entirely him.” He voluntarily participated in these enrichment sessions and received his favorite snacks from his caretakers, making it a rewarding experience and eliciting positive behavior from Elok.” Click here for more information.
The Oklahoma City Zoo is selling the world’s first digital art NFT designed by a resident orangutan.
Zoo officials said in a news release that they and the Oklahoma Zoological Society collaborated with designers to create a unique animal enrichment facility that allows Elok, a 21-year-old male Sumatran orangutan at the zoo, to create digital works of art. The art is available for purchase as an NFT via an international auction on Friday.
NFTs first appeared in 2014 and have grown in popularity in recent years. Officials at the Oklahoma City Zoo hope the first digital NFT made by an animal will create global excitement.
Elok’s NTFs will be available on the OpenSea.io auction website. So far, 10 NFTs are listed in Elok’s collection.
All proceeds from Elok’s art will go towards preserving orangutans and other endangered species in the wild.
“Enrichment provides engaging ways for animals to keep their minds and bodies active,” Becky Scheel, with Megafauna Studios, said in the press release. “Orangutans are highly intelligent and by using digital applications you can provide a form of enrichment that is individualized. Each of Elok’s creations from the movement and balance to the composition is entirely him.
“He voluntarily participated in these enrichment sessions, receiving his favorite snacks from his caretakers, which made it a rewarding experience and elicited positive behavior from Elok.”
Click here for more information.
