Cameras for Wandering Elephants

March 18, 2021

On this week’s episode: Elephant-detecting cameras, Fiji's coral reefs recover, and a space hotel gets set for guests!

Nature
Oceans
Marine Biology
Space
STEM

On this week's news update:

Elephant-Detecting Cameras

Elephant-detecting cameras...

Coral Reefs Recover

… Fiji's coral reefs recover...

Space Hotel

… and a space hotel gets set for guests!

First up:

Elephants live across large areas of Africa and Asia.

Most of the time, they stay well away from people, but sometimes they come into close contact with human communities.

Occasionally, they can end up damaging property and crops and, on rare occasions, seriously hurt people by trampling on them.

Now, researchers are testing a device that will allow elephants and humans to exist side by side more safely—an elephant-detecting camera.

thermal technology

Using thermal technology, the camera detects different temperatures in the local environment.

Areas of warmth recorded by the camera are known as “heat patterns.”

When a heat pattern the shape of an elephant comes into view, the camera is able to recognize the shape and send a signal warning that an elephant has been spotted, alerting people to the potential danger.

If the cameras become widely used, they will offer communities vital warnings about wandering elephants, allowing humans and elephants to live together far more peacefully.

Up next:

Fiji

Fiji is a country in the South Pacific.

Made up of more than three hundred small islands, Fiji is home to some of the world's most vibrant coral reefs.

In 2016, a devastating cyclone struck Fiji, destroying buildings, making thousands homeless, and damaging the islands' fragile reefs.

Storm surges caused by the cyclone broke up many groups of coral, and many sections of reef withered and died.

However, five years on from the cyclone, Fiji's coral reefs have naturally bounced back to health, and are once again teeming with life and color!

Coral reefs like Fiji's play a vital role in ocean ecosystems, providing an essential habitat for many fish species.

Marine biologists are surprised at how well Fiji's coral has recovered, and are now working to protect the reefs from damage caused by overfishing.

If too many algae-eating fish disappear from reefs, coral can quickly become overwhelmed with algae and die.

Working with local fishing communities to set up 'no fishing areas,' conservationists hope to protect Fiji's coral so it can continue to thrive!

And finally:

From going on local hikes, to sightseeing in foreign cities, people love to explore!

And soon, a new destination could be added to people's adventure lists—outer space!

Set to open in 2027, the first ever space hotel will accommodate over 400 guests.

The ring-shaped structure has “accommodation modules,” which will house the hotel's facilities.

Designed to match the comfort of hotels back on Earth, the galactic guest house will offer visitors, luxurious en suite bedrooms, fine dining in a futuristic restaurant—and out of this world views!

And because gravity levels in the hotel will only measure one-sixth of those on Earth, guests will even be able to enjoy an extra bouncy game of basketball!

That's all for this week, we'll see you next time!

Teaching Overview

Learning Points

Cameras that detect elephants using thermal technology are being tested that aim to warn people of wandering elephants.
Fiji's coral reefs are bouncing back to health following a devastating cyclone in 2016.
A space hotel is set to open in 2027, offering guests luxurious accommodation with just one-sixth of Earth's gravity.

Curriculum Keywords

Nature
Oceans
Marine Biology
Space
STEM

Spark a Discussion

Elephant-Detecting Cameras

Why might elephants sometimes become a danger to people?
How do the elephant-detecting cameras work?
What else do you think thermal cameras could be used for?

Fiji Coral Reefs

How can cyclones and tropical storms damage coral reefs?
Why are coral reefs an important part of the ocean ecosystem?
What human activities do you think might damage coral reefs?

Space Hotel

How do you think engineers will build the space hotel?
The hotel will only have one-sixth of Earth's gravity. How do you think this will affect life onboard?
Would you like to stay in the space hotel?

Credits

ZSL
Colchester Zoo
Orbital Assembly Corporation

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