Astronomy and Physics,
College Park Scholars-Science and Global Change Program
Activity One: Zoo Excursion Report
ZOO BUILDINGS
The Zoo has grouped some collections of animals (often some of their smaller ones) in a single thematic building. Some of these buildings are organized by a particular group of animals, sometimes by region or habitat, or sometimes by another theme. Choose three (3) of the following buildings and explore them: Amazonia, Reptile Discovery Center, Small Mammal House, Bird House (for the latter you will need to get a free timed entry digital pass; there are QR codes posted around the park to help with this). One of these halls has to be a guided tour of a hall by one of the SGC faculty. We plan on doing two guided tours for Amazonia: one at 11:30 am, and one at 1:30 pm. For each building, identify the one you chose. Describe: · What information is listed for each species · List at least four (4) species that are on display · If any, what types of displays that go beyond simple identifying text on a panel are available in this building? (These might be interactive displays, videos, skeletons, or others.) Did you find them to be informative? (These interactives are not necessarily at the four species’ displays.) · What education level you think the hall is aimed at · Whether or not you see if any non-SGCer is actually paying attention to the information plaques and/or interactive displays Building One: Small Mammal House Information on species: Interesting characteristics, range, habitats, diet, and fun facts. Species on display: Some of the species on display are Northern Treeshrew Golden Headed Lion Tamarin Fennec Fox Screaming Hairy Armadillo Displays beyond text: They displayed skeletal x-rays and bones of small mammals to help explain how these animals have adapted to their environment They also had maps depicting the range of the species Education Level: This hall was definitely geared towards a younger audience. All information on display was very basic and easy to understand. The animals in this hall were all very small, cute, and pet-like. Do people pay attention to the information on display? No. When I visited the hall people seemed captivated by the animals, however I didn’t notice anybody reading the plaques or engaging with the information beyond Building Two: Amazonia Information on species: There was info on the diversity of species, their habitats, how they’ve adapted to their environments, and the endangerment status of their species. Species on display: Some of the species on display are Black Pacu Arapaima Arrau Turtle Red Piranha Displays beyond text: There were paintings and diagrams, but the displays beyond the animal enclosures were primarily just informational plaques. Education Level: The information on display here was targeted towards a wide variety of audiences. There was a blend of easy to understand information and more complicated details about each species. Do people pay attention to the information on display? Yes. There were many truly unique species on display and from what I saw it seemed like people were engaging with the the plaques and signs Building Three: Reptile Hall Information on species: For each species there was information about their individual habitat and needs, organs and anatomy, and conservation status Species on display: Some of the species in the hall were: Northern blue-tongued skink Webers sailfin dragon Shouted cobra Prehensile-tailed skink Displays beyond text: Beyond the plaques there was also displays of skulls and bones Education Level: This hall felt more aimed at children and younger audiences Do people pay attention to the information on display? Not particularly. There was a lot of small children around the hall when I visited.
EDUCATION
Additionally, zoos are major centers for education about zoological and ecological issues. Find and describe two (2) specific examples of ways that the Zoo aids in the public understanding of animals and ecosystems OTHER THAN simple plaques with printed information. Full recreations of animal habitats that the public are able to experience help put into context the natural environments that the animals on display live in. Being able to walk around Amazonia with the rainforest on the top floor and aquariums on the bottom were particularly helpful for understanding the extreme conditions that species in the amazon have adapted to survive in. Another way the Zoo aids in the understanding of animals is by allowing people to watch the animals be fed. Understanding each species' diet is crucial for understanding why they’ve adapted to their environment and what their place in the food chain is. I got to see the elephants and gorillas be fed and it really put into perspective just how much mass of plants and water an elephant has to intake to stay alive.
ANIMAL MENTAL/EMOTIONAL WELFARE
Let’s face it: zoo animals are kept in captivity, and for many animals this is a potentially traumatic experience. These animals evolved in the wild, and their behaviors are adapted to living in the more complex (and simply BIGGER) world outside. In the old days the mental or emotional welfare of the exhibit animals weren’t of primary concern: just stick them in a cage for all to see. But this attitude has changed. Find at least two (2) specific examples where either the physical setting or objects in their environment have been added to provide a more interesting or comfortable place for the animals. 1: The primate enclosures contained a variety of objects to keep the animals more comfortable and stimulated in their enclosures. I saw a variety of toys, rope swings, and structures for the animals to climb on and interact with. I even saw a juvenile western lowland gorilla constructing a bed out of a bunch of blankets and straw the zookeepers had given him. 2: The physical setting of the jungle enclosure in Amazonia was specifically designed to replicate the contained species natural habitat as closely as can be done while in captivity. Things like concrete trees and termites nests aren’t necessary for ensuring the survival of the birds and fish in the enclosure, but it does help to simulate their habitat in the wild and keep the animals comfortable.