[capableweb]

I don't know if Gorillas work the same way as dogs, but maybe you could put something that smells nice on a device that extends a small nose-boop extractor arm when close, and gather the noseprint that way.

To simulate this invention:

- have a dog

- put something smelly on your thumb

- extend arm to point thumb towards dog

- as the dog is within 5-10cm radius of your thumb, press your thumb against their nose (and say the obligatory "boop")

- imagine your had something to extract noseprints from their nose on your thumb

[gaetgu]

It actually looks like they use photos.

https://gorillafund.org/karisoke-research-center/noseprints-...

[capableweb]

Probably a good idea with photos from afar, as dogs and gorillas can probably have very different reactions to whole the "nose-booping" thing.