Ms. Barrett said...
Questions from Casey L. (HMS pd. 8)
I read the Grevy's zebras are endangered, so I have a few questions to ask you and the scientists.
1) Do you know exactly why they are endangered?
The purpose of the research study we were helping with is to answer this question. The possibilities that are being considered are: overgrazing, predation, and disease.
2) How are the scientists trying to help the population?
First of all, they are trying to learn as much as possible about the zebra's behavior-- what they prefer to eat, where and how far they travel, how much time they spend grazing or drinking, when they prefer to drink or graze, and things like that. The scientists can then use what they've learned to help the zebras. For instance, we now know that zebras like to drink between 8:30 and 10:30 AM. The local people who raise livestock chase the zebras away from waterholes so that their livestock can drink. But if we know that the zebras just want to drink for 2 hours in the morning, we can work with the local people to have them allow the zebras to use the waterhole during that time.
The scientists also hire some of the local tribe people to work with them as guides. The local people begin to think of the zebras as a resource because tourists (and Earthwatch volunteers) come to Africa to see them and tourism brings money to the local people. So then they also begin to think that it is important to protect the zebras. So far, this seems to be working very well!
3) How long have the scientists been counting the zebras at Wamba and Lewa? How long has this survey beeen going on?
The study started in 2002.
4) Have zebras decreased or increased in the past 15 years?
Twenty-five years ago there were approximately 15,000 Grevy's zebras, and today there are between 1,600 and 2000. If the population decline is not reversed, they may become extinct within 50 years.
Questions from Casey L. (HMS pd. 8)
I read the Grevy's zebras are endangered, so I have a few questions to ask you and the scientists.
1) Do you know exactly why they are endangered?
The purpose of the research study we were helping with is to answer this question. The possibilities that are being considered are: overgrazing, predation, and disease.
2) How are the scientists trying to help the population?
First of all, they are trying to learn as much as possible about the zebra's behavior-- what they prefer to eat, where and how far they travel, how much time they spend grazing or drinking, when they prefer to drink or graze, and things like that. The scientists can then use what they've learned to help the zebras. For instance, we now know that zebras like to drink between 8:30 and 10:30 AM. The local people who raise livestock chase the zebras away from waterholes so that their livestock can drink. But if we know that the zebras just want to drink for 2 hours in the morning, we can work with the local people to have them allow the zebras to use the waterhole during that time.
The scientists also hire some of the local tribe people to work with them as guides. The local people begin to think of the zebras as a resource because tourists (and Earthwatch volunteers) come to Africa to see them and tourism brings money to the local people. So then they also begin to think that it is important to protect the zebras. So far, this seems to be working very well!
3) How long have the scientists been counting the zebras at Wamba and Lewa? How long has this survey beeen going on?
The study started in 2002.
4) Have zebras decreased or increased in the past 15 years?
Twenty-five years ago there were approximately 15,000 Grevy's zebras, and today there are between 1,600 and 2000. If the population decline is not reversed, they may become extinct within 50 years.
posted by Ms. Russell at 4:06 PM
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