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Teaching an Online Introductory Biology Lab Using Evolution and Ecology Resources
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9. The Great Elephant Census
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The Great Elephant Census

Topic

  • Ecology
  • Populations
  • Environmental Science
  • Conservation

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Scientists at Work

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:08:23
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
41 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

This video follows the work of scientists conducting the first census of African savanna elephants in over 40 years and the methods they are using to obtain accurate, up-to-date numbers across the continent.

African elephants are threatened by habitat loss and poaching related to the ivory trade. Conservation groups estimate that as many as 100 elephants are killed each day, so it is critically important to determine how many elephants remain and where they are located. Scientists involved in the Great Elephant Census project (founded and managed by philanthropist Paul G. Allen) are conducting aerial surveys across millions of square kilometers to obtain accurate elephant census data. This video describes the strip transect sampling method they are using and how elephants are counted.  

The accompanying “Student Worksheet” incorporates concepts and information from the video.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Learn about research practices.
  • Develop scientific explanations and justify claims using evidence.
  • Calculate elephant density with sample aerial survey data using the strip transect sampling method.

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period to complete the associated handouts.

Key Terms

aerial survey, census data, conservation, habitat loss, poaching, savanna, scientific methodology, scientific process, transect sampling

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Video files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 06.09.16
Date Updated 10.19.17

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-6; HS-LS2.A, HS-LS4.C, HS-ESS3.C; SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-4.A, ENE-4.B, SYI-3.F, SYI-3.G; SP4, SP5

IB Biology (2016)

C.1, C.4

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 9.9, 9.10
Learning Objectives & Practices: EIN-4.B, EIN-4.C, SP1, SP5, SP6

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.1, 3.4

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7, ELA.WHST.9-12.1
Math.A-REI.3; MP2, MP3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP1, DP2

Materials

Download Resource Google Folder (Link)
Download HD (M4V) 325 MB
Download HD (WMV) 265 MB
Download SD (M4V) 71 MB
Download SD (WMV) 72 MB
Download Transcript (PDF) 137 KB
Download Student Worksheet (PDF) 469 KB
Download Spanish dub (MP4) 133 MB

Use This Resource With

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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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Teaching an Online Introductory Biology Lab Using Evolution and Ecology Resources
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