Edition IV: Zootopia January 2019
Oxford & Wimbledon Leading Scholarship
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OWLS Quarterly, Edition IV, February 2019
Zootopia OWLS (Oxford and Wimbledon Leading Scholarship) is a collaboration between two likeminded sister GDST schools to support our Sixth Form academic scholarship holders. With a first outing in 2017-18 and now working with a second cohort, the OWLS project sees Sixth Form girls in both schools meeting face to face and collaborating online to discuss, debate and pen articles both within individual subject areas and in a cross disciplinary way. The resulting work is published in OWLS Quarterly journal. The 2018-19 OWLS group of Sixth Form Academic Award-holders met for the first time on a sunny September day at ZSL London Zoo to consider the nature of zoos and animals and our relationship with them. The collaborative writing in this edition of OWLS Quarterly pulls together their thoughts as they peered into cages and pondered the place of animal captivity in a modern world. Ms Rachael Pallas-Brown (OHS) and Dr John Parsons (WHS) – Editors OWLS Quarterly
CONTENTS Calling London Home ......................................................................................................................................Page 3 Where Nature Improves Lives .....................................................................................................................Page 5 Unleashing the Hounds ...................................................................................................................................Page 8 Should Self-Aware Animals be Kept in Zoos?....................................................................................... Page 10 How Zookeepers Maintain a Suitable Environment for Animals ................................................ Page 12 How Wild is the Zoo? ...................................................................................................................................... Page 14 The Evolution of Human Empathy for Animals................................................................................... Page 16
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interference in water temperature is possibly due to the breed of penguin; since they come from Chile and Peru, their natural habitat will have very similar seasons to those experienced in London, England. If these penguins were still living in their native land,
CALLING LONDON HOME
they would have a series of involuntary systems Jess Lee (WHS), Cara McMillan (OHS), Claudia
allowing them to maintain a constant temperature,
Preston (OHS), Libby Westwood (OHS)
water, ion and oxygen levels; these are the same
1
systems that make it possible for them to live in
Stretching from the
London.
open canopy of the Savannah to the
On average 30% of a penguin is blubber, creating a
western plains of South America, how can these creatures, so different
thick insulating layer, thus reducing heat loss via
in habitat, both call London their home?
conduction, convection and radiation, both when
The zoo tries to create the most natural and life-like
swimming and when on land. For penguins native to
enclosures; both giraffes and penguins manage to live
significantly colder temperatures, such as the Emperor
comfortably almost 7,000 miles from home.
penguins of Antarctica, this is not enough to keep
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant
warm, so they have to stay in continuous motion,
internal environment, and is achieved by automatic
particularly when in the water. In extremely cold
control systems throughout the body that maintain
weather conditions penguins huddle together, as you
temperature, glucose levels and water at steady levels.
have likely seen; this is particularly effective because
Without these advanced and unconscious systems,
of their rounded shape, allowing for protection from
cells throughout the body would be unable to function,
the harsh weather on a large percentage of their outer
causing the body to shut down.
surface. External fur and feathers are the most efficient insulators on a weight for weight basis but can be
At Penguin Beach at ZSL London Zoo, the penguins
ruffled by wind and are much less useful when wet.
are Humboldt penguins that breed in coastal Chile and
What really keeps penguins warm in the sea, is a
Peru, roughly 7,400 miles away. Although they hail
subcutaneous layer of fat. Penguins also have a
from another continent, they are surprisingly well
circulatory system that works to reserve heat, that
adapted to the zoo’s conditions, as their natural
takes blood from the legs to the heart; known as
environment is relatively similar to London’s. The
counter current heat exchange. However, the more
water at Penguin Beach is not temperature controlled,
pressing issue for the penguins living in the zoo is the
and so it varies with the outside temperature and
ability to cool down, as at times it may be marginally
weather - this is just one example of how ZSL provide
warmer in ZSL London zoo than their usual climate.
the animals with a natural habitat that allows their
Penguins have the highest feather density of all birds,
bodies to continue to function in the ways they would
not only is this helpful in keeping warm but it provides
if they were on the coasts of South America. Lack of
them with the ability to fluff their feathers out even more so that the trapped warm air can escape and
1
https://www.zsl.org/file/penguins-swimming
3
enable the penguin to cool down. These intricate
insulation. Giraffes have tight skin that aids blood
systems, and processes, explain how they can keep
circulation by increasing the pressure: the blood flows
warm during the colder winters of the UK than Chile,
faster and warms up their bodies. Their skin is also
and more generally, means they can survive in the
extremely thick, and the fat helps insulation. However,
extreme weather of Antarctica. It is also evidence of
it is not only the giraffes themselves that make changes
how they manage survive the warmer climates of Chile
to fit the different environment. ZSL London Zoo has
and England during the summer months.
made the enclosures as similar as possible to the African savanna, and although the native food (e.g. the
2
Acacia tree) is difficult to acquire here in England,
At ZSL London Zoo, Masai
giraffes adapt their diet to fit the variety of fruits and
giraffes are living in an
vegetables that the zoo will provide. Most importantly,
environment antagonistic to their
the giraffes have an indoor ‘night house’ that provide
home in Eastern Africa, 6,800
all the comfort, warmth and water needed for the
miles away. Giraffes thrive in
animals to be happy, and therefore, the Masai giraffes
areas where the climate is very
live without trouble in a place so far away from home.
hot, and their bodies have evolved to be adapted for these conditions.
Therefore, it is clear that penguins and giraffes are
The African savannahs and grasslands are perfect for
complex animals that require systems to control their
the giraffe, as the climate varies between humid, wet
internal environment and have evolved over centuries.
seasons, and arid, dry seasons. Though they have
ZSL London Zoo does its best to match the conditions
dietary preferences, giraffes are quite adaptable: in the
the animals would be used to in their home countries,
wet season, they feed on deciduous trees, shrubs and
and combined with the animals’ natural built-in
vines and during the dry season, they eat hearty
mechanisms for coping with changes in temperature,
evergreens near rivers and streams. Moreover, a giraffe
the zoo is a comfortable environment in which animals
can consume up to 12 gallons of water at one time
to live and thrive.
when drinking from a water hole, and so they are able to survive long periods of time without much moisture and humidity. Furthermore, a giraffe’s long neck has
Bibliography
evolved to increase the surface area to mass ratio,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masai_giraffe
giving the animal more area through which to lose
https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/humboldt-penguin
heat. It has also been discovered that the giraffe has
https://www.zsl.org/giraffe-facts
lots of unusually large sweat glands beneath the skin, that will further help achieve efficient heat loss.
https://www.popsci.com/winter-giraffe-care-tips
But how can giraffes possibly live so comfortably in London where the climate is so different?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bristol/hi/people_and_plac
Homeostasis enables giraffes at ZSL London Zoo to
es/nature/newsid_7747000/7747693.stm
keep warm, and their bodies will use different
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/003591
mechanisms to prevent heat loss and to induce
90409519170
2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masai_giraffe
4
https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%2 0file/science/cold_penguins.php http://www.penguinworld.com/features/thermoregulati
BIOMIMICRY: WHERE NATURE IMPROVES LIVES
on.html https://seaworld.org/animal-info/animalinfobooks/penguin/adaptations
Aabidah Khan (WHS), Elizaveta Sheremetyeva (OHS), Candace Wu (OHS) With science, there is much that we now know about the natural world that our predecessors could only ever dream about. Artificially controlling environmental conditions to optimise agricultural yield, using solar panels to capture sunlight's energy and more. Surely, we have learnt the majority of what nature has to teach us? Assumptions like these are thoroughly disproven by every new scientific discovery. One such example is the discovery of the water bear: a creature that can independently survive in space and has revolutionized vaccines! Although interesting, scientific discovery is not the point of this article. So let us move on to nature’s coolest creatures who have adaptations so crazy, they might just work. If you have ever been at the Northern Edge of Regents Park, London Zoo, at midday while standing in front of the otter enclosure, having decided that the Tigers Live show is just not for you, then you will know that otters can juggle pebbles. You will also remember that otters are incredibly good swimmers, due to the same thing that keeps an empty water bottle afloat: differences in density. By trapping air in their thick fur, they buoy across the water facilitating their swimming. But by thick fur, we mean one million hairs per square inch! Impressed? Animals like otters impress scientists and engineers constantly, so it is no wonder they use them as a source of inspiration. Which brings us to Biomimicry: bio - for biology and mimicry - the act of 5
mimicking i.e. copying something. Etymologically
dying. This protects the tardigrades’ DNA, RNA and
translated to the copying of the biology of an animal or
proteins, enabling them to reanimate.
a plant.
Why are we telling you this? The company Biomatrica
If you were to guess objects that fell under the category
studied
anhydrobiosis
in
tardigrades
and
have
of Biomimicry you probably would not think of velcro.
developed live vaccines, which do not require
Ever taken a Sunday stroll and come back with bits of
refrigeration. Instead they ‘reanimate’ in water. At the
spiky looking plants stuck to you? Well, these are the
Nova Laboratories in Leicester, new technology allows
seeds of hitchhiker plants with microscopic hooks
vaccines to be secured ‘in a glassy film made of sugars’
clinging to your clothes. With velcro, one side mimics
(disaccharide trehalose). The disaccharide trehalose is
the hooked section that attaches to the softer side, which
used to keep the virus in the vaccines effective for up to
is more like the texture of your wool jumper.
6 months, at temperatures up to 45°C. These are known
Biomimicry is not only seen in everyday objects, but is
‘candy-coated vaccines’ (which sadly cannot be eaten)
also changing lives as we speak.
and may be used in hotter countries with people in remote and impoverished conditions.
Have you ever heard of the tardigrade? Microscopic, amazing and just simply cool. Tardigrades, commonly
When one thinks of hot, remote and impoverished areas
known as water bears, are tiny arthropods with an
it is not too much of a stretch to imagine a large desert
incredible tolerance to extreme temperatures. From
where people do not have enough of anything, including
absolute zero (-273.15 °C - the lowest temperature
water, without which, the average human can only
possible, at which even atoms don’t vibrate) to 1000 °C.
survive about 3-5 days in moderate temperatures.
These creatures are not only able to survive in extreme
Which does not take into account that the symptoms of
environments (including the inhospitable conditions of
dehydration (nausea, dizziness, impaired mental
space) but they also succeed at continuously surprising
functions, body aches, extreme thirst and weakness) set
scientists.
in after 10-15 hours.
However, even in the desert, there is water. People have been trying to utilise desert fog for decades, but plants and insects have always been one step ahead. The Darkling beetle (also known as the “Fog beetle”) lives in the Namib desert and has inspired two life-changing inventions simply by existing. Every day the Darkling beetle collects 40% of its body weight in water. It does so by perching on dunes every
Tardigrades have the unique ability to ‘revive’ after
morning in a “fog-collecting stance”: a headstand. It
having 'dried up', virtually dead for up to 120 years. This
utilises a mix of hydrophilic (strong affinity to water)
process is called anhydrobiosis which means ‘life
and hydrophobic (little affinity to water and generally
without water’. During anhydrobiosis, tardigrades
insoluble) surfaces to augment water collection. The
remain in a state of suspended animation instead of
ridges on its back are covered in hydrophilic bumps
6
across a waxy superhydrophobic surface which collect then direct droplets into the beetle’s mouth. Pak Kitae developed the first Dew Bank based on our
Bibliography
Fog beetle, to provide safe and clean drinking water to millions of people. The design copies the ridges to
Stewart L (Inhabitat.com, 2010), 'Beetle-Inspired Bottle
increase the area of which the surface is in contact with
Harvests
moist air while exploiting the temperature difference
<https://inhabitat.com/beetle-inspired-bottle-harvests-
between the air and the surface that makes water
drinking-water-from-thin-air/> accessed 18 October
condense. In the morning, the bottle’s ribbed stainless-
2018
steel dome is cold, forming dew drops that slide over the
Zhang P and others (1998), 'Solid-State 13C NMR
shell and into a channel circling the base. The bottle
Investigations Of The Glycosidic Linkage In Alpha-
could collect at least enough for one glass of thirst-
Alpha' Trehalose.' 12 Solid State Nuclear Magnetic
quenching water every morning: the difference between
Resonance
life and death in the desert.
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S09
Now Saudi Arabian scientists are creating a way to
26204098000691> accessed 18 October 2018
mimic the micropatterned beetle's back. They have
Zhang L and others (2015), 'Inkjet Printing For Direct
taken a highly hydrophobic surface and used an inkjet
Micropatterning Of A Superhydrophobic Surface:
printer to cover it with a mesh of hydrophilic material.
Toward Biomimetic Fog Harvesting Surfaces' 3 Journal
This results in a water collection efficiency of
of
61.8mg/cm2 [for the non-scientists this translates to 61.8
<https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2015/
milligrams of water collected for every centimetre
TA/c4ta05862c> accessed 18 October 2018
Drinking
Materials
Water
From
Thin
Chemistry
Air'
A
squared of our already increased dome surface area]. Everts S (2010), 'Candy-Coated Live Vaccines Stay
While this idea is still in the research stage, it is easy to
Active' Vol. 88 Issue 8 Chemical and Engineering News
see that inkjet printing will allow for rapid production
<https://cen.acs.org/articles/88/i8/Candy-Coated-Live-
of life-saving materials.
Vaccines-Stay.html> accessed 18 October 2018 These are of course not the only examples of Jones
Biomimicry, where nature inspires humans to innovate.
Z
(2016),
'Candy-Coated
Vaccines'
<https://zackandscottkarmachameleons.wordpress.com
Next time you see velcro, think about hitchhiker plants;
/2016/02/02/candy-coated-vaccines/>
or even imagine how an everyday object relates to
accessed
18
October 2018
nature.
Anthes E (bbc.com, 2014), '‘Resurrection’ Feat Gives Hope
For
Future
Vaccines'
<http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20121120-jab-hopefor-resurrection-trick> accessed 18 October 2018 Image sourced from: https://zackandscottkarmachameleons.wordpress.com/ 2016/02/02/candy-coated-vaccines/
7
Genesis, introducing the idea of human dominion over all living creatures:
UNLEASHING THE HOUNDS: A LITERARY EXPLORATION OF HUMAN EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS
So, God created mankind in his own image; In the image of God, he created them Male and female he created them
Elizabeth Anderson (OHS), Lydia Fontes God blessed them and said to them,
(WHS), Alice Travis (OHS), Elsa Voak (OHS),
Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and
Kaitlin Wallace (WHS)
subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and birds in the sky The presence of zoos in our society raises questions about the relationship between human beings and
and over every living creature that moves on the
animals, revealing it to be contradictory and
ground.
inconsistent. Zoos, as institutions, satisfy the human propensity to capitalise from sensationalism and This license to ‘rule’ over animals legitimises the
exploitation - confining animals to spaces from which
human tendency to view animals as tools for
their existence, from fighting to feeding to sleeping,
agriculture or from which to derive entertainment. A
can be observed for human entertainment. Is zoology
practical view of animals is reflected in didactic
itself a product of this same voyeuristic curiosity or is
literature such as Aesop’s Fables or Animal Farm - as
it a compassionate discipline designed to benefit
animals are used only as a vehicle to convey the
animals themselves? Are humans predisposed to see
author’s moral message. These animals are
animals as tools or as equals? The duality of zoology
anthropomorphised to represent abstract concepts or
as a discipline gives rise to the contemplation of
human counterparts and bear almost no resemblance to
animals in literature. Literature is predominantly a
the animals of our world; they are usually binary,
medium through which we contemplate and explore
exaggerated entities, lacking the nuance and depth
the human condition, or human relationships and
afforded to human characters. The contrast between
duties with larger worldly forces. The realm of
the functional role of animals in this morally
anthropomorphic literature provides us with a
instructional literature and the sensitive imaginings of
complex, and often paradoxical, representation of how
the animal experience, as detailed in works such as
humans view the animal world.
Sewell’s Black Beauty prove that the relationship between humans and animals is deeply complex. The representation of animals in literature has a significant history. Ambivalent attitudes towards Orwell’s Animal Farm uses animalistic stereotypes to
animals are featured prominently in a vast range of
parallel political tensions in Soviet Russia, exploiting
literature. It is important to note that a fundamental
animals in a literary dimension to criticise the
relationship between animals and humans is set out in 8
hypocrisy of Stalin’s tyrannical rule. Aesop's Fables
Alexander Pope’s most famous poem An Essay on
are another poignant example of this, in which animals
Man echoes Sewell’s depiction of animals
inhabit the rhetoric to fulfil the purpose of celebrating
experiencing human emotions and directly challenging
or condemning certain human traits. We criticise the
the prevalent attitude that animals exist purely for
pride of the lion, the cunning of the fox, the curiosity
human enjoyment.
of the cat - animals who are given agency transcending their actual existences as creatures of instinct and thus exist purely to serve the human narrative. The use of
“Is it for thee the lark ascends and sings?
animals in such literature is unavoidable - humans in
Joy tunes his voice, joy elevates his wings.
these stories would be problematic, tarnished by Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat?
associations with gender, class, religion and race. We are multifaceted where animals are simplistic.
Loves of his own and raptures swell the note. The bounding steed you pompously bestride, Shares with his lord the pleasure and the pride.”
This is similar to animals in the context of a zoo, as animals are commercialised to encourage visitors. The enclosures at London Zoo are surrounded by exaggerated cartoons anthropomorphising the animals
This is where conflicting literary portrayal of animals
within them, using similar stereotypical character traits
reflects perceptions of zoology; whether there is an
to the ones Aesop sets out in his work. This is an
innate human propensity for animal exploitation, or a
example of the literary treatment of animals being
capacity for caring and wider scientific understanding
transposed onto real life. They are portrayed as
for their benefit. It speaks to much larger philosophical
entertaining caricatures; metaphorically and quite
contemplations of the 21st century. Steven Collins
literally.
notes that “the unignorability of ecological issues and the rise of environmental criticism across the disciplines of the humanities are bringing the question
However, the cultivation of compassion toward
of animal to a new prominence.’’ The 20th century
animals, particularly horses, was the specific moral
saw the opening of many animal themed parks, such as
lesson Anna Sewell sought to impart when she wrote
the notorious American empire of Sea World,
Black Beauty (1877) - a stark contrast with the
scintillating emporiums which could offer humans
functional use of animal traits employed by Aesop and
entrance into the marine world. However, the 21st
Orwell. The first-person narrative from an animal’s
century has seen the rise of anti-zoo movements,
point of view implies that they experience a parallel
driven by NGOs such as PETA, which insist on the
existence to that of humankind and encourages the
damaging and inhumane nature of these parks and
reader to identify with the horse. The sensitive moral
fight to debunk the justification of commercial zoos as
framework established by Sewell is a rejection of
refuges of conservation.
pragmatic views towards animals - showing human capacity to care for animals.
9
Bibliography The Holy Bible, (1998). Authorised King James
SHOULD SELF-AWARE ANIMALS BE KEPT IN ZOOS?
Version. Oxford UP. Orwell, G. (1946). Animal Farm. London: Penguin
Morgan Callaway (WHS), Charlotte Furness
Group.
(OHS), Rosie Leeson (OHS), Hetty Nicholls
Aesop. (2007). Fables. New York: Penguin Group.
(OHS)
Sewell, A. (2011) Black Beauty: The Autobiography of
As we walked around ZSL London Zoo on a warm
a Horse. The Jarrold Group
Wednesday in September, we were able to see a variety of living creatures, from the mighty adult gorilla to tiny
Pope, A. (2015). An Essay on Man; In Epistles to a
baby seahorses (called fry). Despite enjoying being able
Friend (Epistle III). London: Printed for J. Wilford.
to see these animals, we were concerned that some of Collins S. (2007) Thinking Perhaps Begins There: The
the more intelligent creatures appeared to be struggling
Question of the Animal A review-essay, published in
with their life in captivity. This led us to wonder
Textual Practice.
whether it is wrong for certain types of animals, especially those which are self-aware, to be kept in a zoo. Self-awareness, as defined by psychologist Daniel Goleman, is “knowing one’s internal states, preference, resources and intuitions”. For a long period of time, humans have asked the question ‘are animals selfaware?’ Many tests have been devised to test this, but the most widely accepted is the mirror self-recognition test (MSR) devised by Gordon Gallup Jr. This test suggests that if an animal is self-aware, they will recognise their image in a mirror, and respond to their reflection. Animals that have been seen to react positively to the test include Asian Elephants, Great Apes and Bottlenose Dolphins - all animals that have been suggested to have levels of intelligence closest to humans. With this in mind, we began to observe the different animals at the zoo more closely. By watching the smaller animals such as the otters and penguins at feeding time, we determined that they appeared very happy with the life they were leading, as both kinds of
10
creatures were interacting with the crowds and playing
importantly, educating humans, many of the animals,
amongst themselves. However, when walking through
including some gorillas, are critically endangered. The
the gorilla enclosure, we were quick to notice that one
question we should now be considering is whether zoos
gorilla in particular was curled up in a small overhead
are the most appropriate way to preserve endangered
passageway, gazing out at us as we passed with an
species. Is the survival of a species worth the
extremely sad expression in its eyes. Even smaller
unhappiness and inhumane treatment of its members?
monkeys such as the white-naped mangabeys, which
Perhaps, rather than trying to improve conditions in
were very happy and energetic when we first saw them,
zoos (which sadly in many cases are far worse than in
were similarly despondent at times. For example, one
ZSL London Zoo), we should be investing that money
monkey tried to stretch his arm out through the bars of
in helping species to thrive in their natural habitats.
his cage, trying in vain to reach some leaves growing on the other side. Bibliography Linking these observations to our thoughts on selfGoleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence. New York: Bantam Books http://www.animalcognition.org/2015/04/15/list-ofanimals-that-have-passed-the-mirror-test/ https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/mirror_test.htm Photo by Charlotte Furness (OHS)
awareness, we were able to conclude that the animals struggling most with their life in captivity were indeed the same animals who passed the MSR test. Therefore, the creatures who were most unhappy were those with an emotional intelligence closest to humans. But how great is the gap between us and them? Is the difference really big enough to let us feel comfortable with taking these animals from their natural habitat, and keeping them in cages just for the sake of entertaining us? If levels of intelligence are not considered important enough to take this argument seriously, then why are extremely intelligent animals kept in zoos when humans are not? The ethical dilemma of keeping these animals in zoos when some of them are clearly suffering becomes even more complex when we consider the reasons they are kept there. Other than the goal of entertaining and, more
11
their home. Like other species in the extreme cold, polar bears have adapted to combat the low temperatures. They have a layer of fat under their skin which is so well insulated that they have to move
HOW ZOOKEEPERS MAINTAIN A SUITABLE ENVIROMENT FOR ANIMALS
slowly and often rest to avoid becoming overheated. Another species that can combat the cold is the penguin: they use the size of their colonies to huddle
Amy Beaumont (WHS), Amelia Hayes (WHS), Sara
around each other and so insulate themselves. While
Lyden (OHS), May Rainbird (OHS) and Jessica
some species endure the extreme cold, others adapt to
Saunders (OHS)
it by migrating farther south when the temperature drops and then head north once it begins to warm.
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in late September, five girls strolled around London Zoo. We all keenly
Hot climates also require their inhabitants to adapt in
felt the cold breeze in spite of having wrapped up
order for them to survive in these conditions. Animals
warm. As we eagerly gazed upon the stunning colony
who live in these climates, such as lions, have evolved
of Humboldt penguins swimming in the crystal-clear
to pant, be less active during the hottest parts of the
water from the underwater viewing areas, we
day, and seek shade. They also vasoconstrict and
wondered how they had kept cool in the heatwave we
dilate. Lions lose heat through their paws and licking
experienced in late July. We moved onwards, excitedly
also speeds up heat loss. Ectotherms (cold blooded
observing the lions and tigers padding around their
animals) have adapted to utilise surrounding energy
enclosures and pondered just how they had coped with
sources (like the sun) and therefore are dependent on
the snow in March. We remembered the adaptations
external sources of (heat) energy.
these animals have developed by combating extreme weather from their local habitat, but were curious as to
All animals have different adaptations for the climate
what measures zookeepers had to take to keep the
they live in (e.g. polar bears are white because it is the
animals safe and happy. Also, we were intrigued by
same colour as the snow; rainforest animals are
how animals were affected by being kept in captivity,
colourful for camouflage; camels have large feet to
and what physical and emotional effects the wrong
stop themselves from sinking in the sand) and it is this
climate would have on the animal. This caused us to
that allows life to sustain itself in such varied
debate whether it was morally correct to take animals
environments. These adaptations help the animal thrive
out of their natural habitats and bring them to a new
in different environments; however, the vast majority
climate if it was detrimental to their wellbeing.
of these animals can still survive in less severe climates, such as a zoo.
All animals and organisms are adapted to survive in their own climate and environment. Those who inhabit
As the majority of animals in the zoo are endotherms
more extreme climates have unique characteristics to
(warm-blooded animals), the temperature must be
enable them to endure the otherwise uninhabitable
adjusted to suit the animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; body temperature. In the
parts of the world.
summer when it gets hot, zookeepers add sprinklers and pools to lower the temperature for animals that are
The polar region is considered to be one of the harshest
used to a colder environment, animals also ingest
climates on the globe, yet famously, polar bears call it 12
foods that lower their rising body temperatures, such
they no longer have the same social structure that they
as ice cubes and frozen fruit, in order to maintain a
would have in the wild and they may not have very
constant body temperature. Other ways of making sure
much room at all. Zoos also mean that the animals
the animals don’t overheat include taking the animals
become institutionalised as they become so dependent
such as chinchillas and other small mammals inside
on the zookeepers feeding them special food as
and putting the air con on. When it’s winter, the
described above that they could not survive in the wild.
animals are taken in and the heaters are turned on. This is especially important for the mole rat - if the
In conclusion we believe that zoos are not physically
temperature deviates as little as 5 degrees Celsius from
harmful to the majority of species but we think that
its body temperature, the effects could potentially be
zoos should make more effort to ensure a good mental
fatal.
health of the animals.
One example of how maintaining the environment is
Bibliography
essential is the Butterfly Paradise at the ZSL London
Toppr (date accessed 14/11/18)
Zoo. The temperature must be kept at around 29 https://www.toppr.com/guides/science/weather-
degrees Celsius and humidity must be at least at 78
climate-and-adaptation-of-animals-to-
percent. This is important because it means that the
climate/adaptation-in-animals/
butterflies stay active and live longer. Having a wellinsulated house helps to keep the temperature stable,
The Zoological Society of London (date accessed
therefore zoos often have double doors. Two doors
14/11/18)
opening at different times reduces heat loss by
https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/exhibits/butterfly-
convection from the butterfly house. Humidity is
paradise
maintained using a mist system and sprinklers. This is also similar to the many water sprinklers in the
Liskey.E (2008) Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.
rainforest habitat for the rainforest species, including
Ground.mags
fruit bats and sloths. Having a mist system helps to
http://grounds-
replicate the environment in the animals’ natural
mag.com/mag/grounds_maintenance_sophia_sachs_bu
habitats.
tterfly/
Many people believe that it is ethically wrong to put
Bradfield, P. and Potter, S. (2009). Edexcel IGCSE
animals in zoos as it they are being taken away from
Biology (Edexcel International GCSE). Oxford University Press
their habitat which could be detrimental to their health. However, as shown above we think that on the whole
Johnson, P. and Woolley, S. (2009). Edexcel IGCSE
living in a zoo is not that damaging to most animals’
Physics (Edexcel International GCSE). Oxford
physical health as zookeepers try extremely hard to
University Press
provide the best environment for their animals. We also think that there are many positives for animals living in zoos because they educate, conserve and allows for further research. However, living in a zoo can unfortunately harm the animals’ mental health as 13
The Humboldt current which flows northward from Antarctica influences the habitat of the Humboldt penguins. The cold current carries high nutrients, serving importance in the yield of foods (krill etc.) for
HOW WILD IS THE ZOO?
such penguins. Their natural habitat in the rocky coast Elena Gupta (WHS), Emily Kress (WHS), Leslie Lee
of Chile and Peru shows features of burrowing holes in
(WHS), Maya Patel (WHS), Emily Wenban-Smith
guano, caves and also scrape nests which are suited for
(OHS)
their living. Furthermore, their supraorbital gland gives them ability to filter salt from salt water in their natural
The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is
habitat; however in zoos including ZSL, they live in
native to Chile and Peru in the offshore, cold water
freshwater and therefore the gland stays dormant. This
currents. It feeds on schooling anchovies, squid and
does not affect penguins’ health but could be an
other small fish which are mainly caught in inshore
example of a difference created between penguins in the
waters. It is named after the German naturalist and
wild and in captivity as a result of contrasting living
explorer Alexander Van Humboldt, who spent his life
environment.
studying the Americas during the 1800s. In this article we will explore the difference in the style
The Humboldt penguin is a social creature that usually
of living between the Humboldt penguins in the ZSL
stays in close colonies and in the ocean, only venturing
London Zoo and of those living in the wild. We will
between 5-20 miles from land. This species of penguin
focus on several different aspects including the group
has a deep love for preening using oil from the glands
size/social structure, feeding and hunting, habitat,
in their tails to apply on their own, and the feathers of
predation and illness, and the climate and terrain in
other penguins in their colonies. In ZSL London Zoo,
which they live.
the penguins reside in ‘Penguin Beach’, a breeding Humboldt penguins are only found along the pacific
facility for the Humboldt penguin that allows them to
coast of South America, between Isla Foca, Peru (5°S)
stay social; while still being looked after with their own
and Algarrobo, Chile (33°S). The semi-arid to arid
incubation unit and a specialised small pool for the baby
climate of Peru and Chile means that the penguins’ nests
penguins to learn how to swim. While penguins in the
are not generally at risk from being flooded by heavy
zoo may have access to more superior care and
rain. Daily average temperatures range from 15℃ to
technology, the penguins are not brought up with the
24℃. At ZSL London Zoo, average temperatures range
same social closeness that they might have in the wild,
from 4℃ to 23℃. Overall, the temperatures in London
as there would be less predation and other external
are - unsurprisingly- lower than in the penguins’ natural
factors, such as weather, to cause the protective instincts
habitat but, the average annual rainfall in both locations
of the waddle to arise.
is similar (400-800mm in Chile/Peru and 583.6mm in The Humboldt penguin is a carnivorous animal (like all
London). However, the lower temperatures in London
other penguin species) which survives on a diet
are not a concern for the lifestyle of the penguins as they
composed by only marine animals. In ZSL, Humboldt
are adapted for the cold water Humboldt current after
penguins are fed a diet consisting of schooling fish like
which they are named.
anchovies and sardines. It is not as varied as it would be
14
in the wild, as different breeds of penguins are usually held together in one place, therefore the food has to be
Bibliography
suited for more than one species. Penguins-World In the wild, however, the Humboldt penguin tends to
(2017)
Humboldt
Penguin
Spheniscus Humboldti London:WordPress
feed mostly on krill and small crustaceans, along with larger organisms such as squids or various species of
Animal Corner (2005) Humboldt Penguin
fish. In order to catch their food, the Humboldt penguins
Cecchini, Pegasusweb Mirko Climate-Peru
can be hunting at sea for days, diving deep in the water Bingham, Mike Humboldt Penguin
for up to 10 minutes at a time; a feat which penguins held in captivity are no longer able to achieve.
Penguins Info (2000) Lifespan or Longevity
In captivity the main causes of death for penguins are Avian Malaria and Aspergillosis and the life expectancy is up to 30 years. This is because there is little predation or competition for food, and the birds are vaccinated and treated for common diseases, and subjected to regular vet check-ups to ensure they are healthy. In comparison, in the wild many penguins only live for 10 or 15 years as they are hunted by leopard seals, sharks and killer whales, and their eggs are sometimes eaten by snakes. They also do not receive treatment for any illnesses they contract. These factors combine to ensure that animals living in the zoo are much healthier than those in the wild. Overall, while Humboldt Penguins might not exhibit the same traits as they might in the wild, they do have a longer life expectancy in the zoo and all their needs are catered for with specialised care for births and preventative care for illnesses. However, keeping the penguins in a dependent environment means that they no longer use their specialised glands and systems. This would further put them at risk with evolution, causing the penguins to evolve and remain dependent on humans to the extent that they might never be able to hunt or withstand the harsh environments of the wild in the future.
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predecessors, has modernity only widened the gulf between us and animal life?
THE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN EMPATHY FOR ANIMALS
Empathy and how it has changed By Melissa Amerudin
Chloe D’Souza-Eva (OHS), Laura Fletcher (WHS), Melissa Amerudin (OHS)
Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of another. However, thoughts and emotions between people can differ greatly, and the way we develop our
In our article, we aim to provide an overview of the
perception of others is through our own personal
change in the public’s perception of animals
experiences. If we are unable to fully grasp the feelings
throughout history, including how they are portrayed
of our own kind, how can we feel empathy for animals
in literature. Researchers from the University of
of a whole different species? As humans, when we see
California, Berkeley, have suggested that humans
someone in pain, we sympathise by making
evolve to be more empathetic, with co-director Dacher
connections to similar memories, replicating their
Keltner commenting, "Because of our very vulnerable
feelings of distress in our minds. Does this mean that
offspring, the fundamental task for human survival and
we can only feel pity for animals because it is in our
gene replication is to take care of others. Human
biological instinct to replicate someone’s emotional
beings have survived as a species because we have
experience when we are subject to it?
evolved the capacities to care for those in need and to cooperate. As Darwin long ago surmised, sympathy is our strongest instinct.”
When we see an animal, we see a reflection of
More laws have been established protecting animal
ourselves, as we only have reference of our own moral
welfare, and there has been a rise in the number of
principles and beliefs. People often describe and judge
rehabilitation centres in the UK. London Zoo recently
their behaviour through ways they can recognise, so
launched a campaign which aims to make people more
we apply human thoughts and sentiments to animal
aware of the harm of plastic bottles to wildlife; the
actions, which allows us to feel empathy for them. The
“Space of Waste” is a building and art installation
ability we have to relate to animals allows us to treat
made of 15,000 discarded plastic bottles. Human
them as if they are our own kind, which means we can
respect for animal rights seems to have improved
show more care and affection, rather than treating
greatly in recent decades, with the public donating
them as unfamiliar creatures that are not deserving of
millions of pounds to animal welfare charities, and
sympathy. Although the treatment of animals over time
conservationists raising awareness for endangered
has greatly improved, it is debatable whether this
species the world is desperate to preserve. However,
change is due to people having more of an affiliation
does this legislation really show that humans have
with animals or our superiority complex as ‘the most
more of an affiliation with animals than in previous
intelligent species’ on Earth.
years, or was our connection with animals stronger before the times of urbanisation and separation from the natural world? When we compare ourselves to our 16
for animals. Perhaps, in the future, as our
Biological Research
understanding grows, so will our empathy for animals.
By Chloe D’Souza-Eva Advanced research suggests that we are more similar to animals than we previously thought. Studies have
Evidence for Empathy in Literature and Culture
shown the complexity of animal emotions; dolphins,
By Laura Fletcher
for example, use a unique whistle to identify each other. This is thought of as the dolphin equivalent of a
There is evidence for an early understanding of the
name, and has made people sympathise towards
affinity between man and beast, in the culture and
dolphins, as we feel more of a connection due to the
religion of previous generations. Animism, or religious
perceived similarities. This is particularly interesting
belief based on the spiritual essence of the world’s
as names were previously considered a uniquely
flora and fauna, dates back to the Paleolithic age,
human idea, or something assigned to pets by humans.
demonstrating man’s innate connection to animals.
Other human traits have also been recognised in
Writings throughout history have documented the
animals, such as crows being able to recognise faces,
attitudes towards wildlife, with Aristotle showing a
hold a grudge against a certain person, and share this
great interest in the character of animals. He noted the
information with others.
human traits of different species, in Book IX of History of Animals:
However, there is also evidence that might indicate that humans still feel superior to animals, such as our treatment of animals in intensive farming factories,
“some are crafty and mischievous, as the fox; some
where 70% of the UK’s farm animals are kept. This
are spirited and affectionate and fawning, as the dog;
treatment contrasts greatly with our treatment of other
others are easy-tempered and easily domesticated, as
animals; for example, it is illegal to sell cosmetic
the elephant; others are cautious and watchful, as the
products that have been tested on animals in the UK.
goose; others are jealous and self-conceited, as the
This could suggest that we are willing to change some
peacock.”
aspects of our lives to suit animals, but that humans are still seen a priority. Aristotle’s attempts to make sense of animal habits in
The escalation of the animal rights movement
anthropomorphic terms, may seem outlandish when
coincides with great advances in our understanding of
taken as scientific observations. But his attitude
animal psychology. We are acknowledging many
towards animals was progressive for the time - he also
similarities between ourselves and animals, which
made the distinction between the basic “nutritive soul”
makes it easier to relate to them and therefore care for
of animals and plants, and the “sensitive soul” - a term
their wellbeing. Awareness for these ideas is spread
that united animal and man; capable of both pleasure
more easily than ever before through the use of the
and pain. This might suggest that our supposed
internet, and well-known brands and celebrities
generational superiority actually stems from an innate
supporting conservational causes. We may still see
understanding of the complexity of animals that was
ourselves as superior, but our growing comprehension
present even in ancient civilisations. This awareness is
of animal life is one factor contributing to better rights
seen in literature of the 20th Century, with novels such 17
as Orwell’s “Animal Farm” and Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” exploring the animal’s perspective. Both are considered allegorical novels, and the authors draw on human pathos for animals, using fable elements that highlight social or political messages.
Final Thoughts From Ancient Greek philosophers to 20th Century writers, our empathy for animals has been documented throughout time, and writers have anthropomorphized animals, as well as exploited the human affiliation with them to push political or social messages. Over time, our perception of animals has greatly changed; separation from the natural world is one factor that could have caused us to relate to animals less, resulting in attempts to feel superior to them. However, changing views of animals can also be seen in a positive light, as scientific advancements and technology now enable people to communicate and raise awareness and understanding, possibly increasing our empathy. Animals were once seen as a tool for mankind of a part of a separate kingdom, but gradually more people are accepting that we may not be so different after all.
Bibliography Timofeeva, O. (2018). The History of Animals: A Philosophy London: Bloomsbury Serpell, J. (2008) In the Company of Animals: A Study of Human-Animal Relationship Brookshire, B. (2018). Empathy for animals is all about us. Science News: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/scicurious/empathy -animals-all-about-us [Accessed 5 Oct. 2018].
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