The lion population in Africa is
decreasing and may even be extinct in the next 40 years if we don’t do anything
to help save them. Researched by the University of Minnesota’s Professor Craig
Packer and other biologists, they concluded that the growth of the population of
lions and where the government saves the most money is by building fences to
separate the humans from the lions. The article explains that we may need to
make a decision in the near future: is it ok for lions to become extinct
or do we want to save the lion population but fill the African plains with fences?
One of the themes of science that I
found in this article was science is based on evidence. This is because they
knew the lion population was decreasing so they set out to find the reason why
the population was decreasing. This also leads into another theme of science
which is role of motivation and curiosity. Another theme of science is that
science is collaborative. Craig Packer worked with a team of scientists to help
give an accurate report on the lion population.
The article I read: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2013/03/05/new_report_confirms_almost_half_of_africas_lions_facing_extinction.html
Related websites:
I did not realize that the lion population in Africa was declining so much. To many, lions are an icon of African wildlife. I wish there was an alternative way to protect them other then metal fences, which are very unnatural and would likely disturb other wildlife as well. This site I found is a program to help save the lions by informing people and donations.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lionalert.org/page/about-us
I think it is really sad that the only two options so far is to let them go extinct or put up metal fences. I didn't even know lions were in danger of going extinct. I think we cannot just let them go extinct, there must be something that can be done. Maybe raising some lions in captivity (but treated well) and releasing them into the wild would help to increase the population. I feel like the wire fences would disturb the other animals and it would not do much for the lions.
ReplyDeleteIt is important that the lions be saved, otherwise the African food chain will be severely impacted. Another Nature of Science theme I found was conflicts within the scientific community. In the summary you said that some people are okay with letting the lions go extinct, but others feel that we should build fences to protect the lions. These are two very different scientific viewpoints within the scientific community.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw this acrticle I was very suprised because I never knew that the lion population was in danger. I thought that maybe poachers had a big impact on this, but I read an article that did not mention poachers as the biggest impact on the population. It said that it was from problems with Africa becoming urbanized and converting savannahs to farmlands. This causes lions to move more and go to areas with humans for food, who chase them away or will kill them. The article said that the best way to stop the decline of lion population, is to find a way where humans and lions can coexist. The humans especially have to be respectfull to the lions and protect them and their wildlife. They also have to create more wild reserves where the lions and other species can live.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.voanews.com/content/new-study-shows-african-lion-populations-declining/1558914.html