Solar Max Dallas trip
April 7th 1 day before the eclipse
On April 7th, we arrived at the zoo to observe our animals before the eclipse. I was in a group with Damien in which we observed the Bonobos a type of ape. Although the Bonobos we observed that day weren’t the same ones we will be observing on the day of the eclipse, it still taught us about Bonobos usual behavior.
Hypothesis
Based on the data given by zoo keepers and observations Damien on April 7th, our prediction was the Bonobos would have sex during the eclipse, to relieve the stress they will experience during the eclipse.
Behavior
The Bonobos are relatively chill creatures they spend their time eating and laying around. The one thing that sets Bonobos apart from other primates is when they are stressed or angry they will have sex.
April 8th day of eclipse
On the day of the eclipse the zoo changed out the Bonobos for four new ones there were 4 new Bonobos, two males and two females, the males were Billy and Andy brothers. The females are Johari and Lucy. An hour before the eclipse me and Damien started observing the Bonobos. The entire time the Bonobos ain’t from their pick boards(boards with holes filled with frozen grapes frozen into ice cream.) and sat there.
eclipse
It was two minutes before the eclipse and it started to get dark, the Bonobos headed towards the door, because they are let inside at night. Because they weren’t let inside they started to get a bit anxious. but at the time of the solar eclipse they started to move faster and get scared. around 30 seconds after the full eclipse it was still dark but they calmed down and stopped moving, Everyone except Billy who climbed a diagonal wooden pole and stood looking around at the top.
After the eclipse/ conclusion
After the eclipse and it became bright again the Bonobos became very confused and sat down and tried to understand what had just happened. For the next 20 minutes the Bonobos sat their in complete confusion. But around 2:10 the Bonobos went back to their normal behavior.
Conclusion
My hypothesis that the bonobos would have sex to relieve stress during the solar eclipse was wrong; instead, they became anxious and scared. I learned that the Bonobos experience with the eclipse was more fear than stress, which resulted in quick movement and fear.
Path of the eclipse
The path of the eclipse went through Dallas Texas. We decided to observe the animals here at that red dot, FORT WORTH ZOO!!!. The eclipse went through the zoo at 99% totality. The time of totality at the zoo was ~1:42pm.
Sorry no videos. I had to film on a go-pro given to us by Dr. Heartstone Rose.