OWLS Quarterly, Fourth Edition, January 2019

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

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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

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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

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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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