Problem Question
Understanding that numerous animals species are under extinction threat, people have developed numerous conservation and population recovery programs that usually take place within zoos. The San Diego Zoo is one of the largest in the country, and observing the animal behavior in it might help realizing how the programs are successful. Therefore, the problem question is: How active are pandas during the day in the San Diego Zoo?
Hypothesis
Based on the numerous remarks of scholars that claim that the animals are less active in the artificially created conditions in zoos, the hypothesis of the current write-up is as follows: Pandas tend to be inactive in the artificially created conditions of the San Diego Zoo.
Procedure
In order to answer the problem question and to either prove or reject the above presented hypothesis, the research of pandas’ behavior during a day was taken up with the help of the web cam located in the pandas’ enclosure. First, the web page of the San Diego Zoo was accessed to consider the information on conservation programs carries out. Second, the Live Cams & Video section was accessed, and the videos from the web cams of panda, polar bear, elephant, and apes were viewed. Third, panda cam videos were chosen for the more detailed analysis as this animal is an interesting species under the threat of extinction.
Data
As stated above, the observation of panda live cam videos was carries out during a day, December 7, 2009, in order to analyze pandas’ behavioral patterns, answer the problem question, and test the write-up hypothesis. Cam 25 allowed observing the behaviors of two pandas, a grown-up and a baby in the so-called birthing den. During the observation, the major active periods of the day for pandas were the early morning (between 6:15 and 8:15), when the pandas woke up, played, and walked out of the birthing den, and the late evening (especially after 22:00), when the pandas were out of sight for the web cam.
Analysis
In respect to the general knowledge of panda in the wild and the write-up hypothesis, the acquired observation data allow making an assumption that pandas’ activity in the zoo conditions is similar to the activity these animals display in the wild. During the day, when it is hot, the pandas are sleepy and far less active than in the morning and in the evening. Accordingly, the answer to the problem question is that pandas in the San Diego Zoo are as active as they are in the wild nature conditions. Therefore, the hypothesis for the write-up is rejected.
Conclusion
Accordingly, the conclusion from the above presented data is that the conservation programs for saving the animal species threatened by extinction should be implemented because animals in the artificial conditions can still remain active and have more chances for surviving and preproduction. Of course, the behavioral observation of only two pandas during one day cannot be generalized for all pandas and other animals in zoos, but at least this observation allows assuming that if these two pandas can live in the zoo, others also can do this.
Discussion
Drawing from this, the theoretical statement that the California condor species should be allowed to go extinct instead of spending considerable money on the protection and recovery programs are at least groundless, inhumane, and cruel towards this bird. Human beings are responsible for the survival of this species as these were human beings that put it under the threat of extinction. So, any talks about stopping the protection are unethical and dangerous.