Humans and Animals
I recently had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Dr. Jane Goodall. Dr. Jane Goodall is a primatologist well known for her studies on chimpanzees in Gombe. Dr Jane Goodall made the discovery that chimpanzees used tools. However at that time humans were defined as tool makers. This discovery promoted the need to accept chimpanzees as human, or the need to redfine man. The definition of human was consequently redefined.
Society has been creating barriers between humans and animals for generations. And we often do not consider ourselves an 'animal'. However I feel looking into the eyes of Maimunah (the endangered Sumatran Orang-utan at Melbourne Zoo) it becomes hard to deny that we share more similarities than we let ourself believe. From a science background, feelings do not form facts and we must gain a greater understanding of others by science and research, but as Dr. Jane Goodall discovered, there is more similarities than first thought. Dr. Jane Goodalls discoveries have been of great significance and I share a great interest in animal behaviour.
We can all make a difference in some way and Dr. Jane Goodall encouraged us all to think of our impact on the world. The zoo is often running education programs which you can check out at to learn more:
http://www.zoo.org.au/get-involved/act-for-wildlife/dont-palm-us-off
We should also keep in mind that the gorillas are 'calling on you' to recycle your old phones to reduce the threat on their habitat for colton mining. Do your part by checking out:
http://www.zoo.org.au/get-involved/act-for-wildlife/theyre-calling-on-you
You can also join the Jane Goodall Institute and contribute to her projects by visiting:
http://www.janegoodall.org.au/
Image: Maimunah the endangered Sumatran Orang-utan at the Melbourne Zoo
(Photograph: By Trix Pix Photography. Reproduced with permission of Melbourne Zoo 2014)
