Analytical Paper Assignment: Endangered Gorillas

Analytical Paper Assignment: Endangered Gorillas

In this assignment you will address the ANTH 215 Course Outcome to:

Describe the major features of non-human primate behavior through observations and generate explanations of these behaviors.

This assignment will also address four General Education Competencies:

1. Technological
2. Critical Analysis and Reasoning
3. Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning
4. Information Literacy

Over the past 50 years certain regions in Africa have experienced industrial forestry and agricultural development that has significantly reduced the area of the natural forest. As humans develop previously isolated areas, the interaction between humans and non-human primates increases. Through these interactions human diseases can be transmitted to primates, and the likelihood of hunting or poaching can also increase. Gorilla populations throughout Africa have been profoundly impacted. In this paper you will explore the numerous factors that are placing pressure on gorilla communities in various regions of Africa.[unique_solution]

The purpose of this paper is for students to examine the relationship between the dwindling gorilla populations and human-induced changes to natural habitats. Through video observations you will explore the social and biological nature of gorilla communities in Africa, particularly their patterns of communication, foraging, reproduction and group formation. Relating your data from the video observation to your research on challenges and threats to gorilla communities, you will complete a risk assessment chart and develop recommendations for the conservation of gorilla habitats. Please complete the plagiarism tutorial, answer all of the questions using an essay format  and complete all six tasks including the observation chart and the risk assessment chart. Consult Credo Reference or Academic Search Complete, online sources.

Preparing to Write – Plagiarism Tutorial

In preparation for completing this assignment, each student must take the plagiarism tutorial on the Montgomery College Library Website. If you do not score 100% on the tutorial quiz, you must retake the quiz until you do score 100%. This will be part of your grade on the assignment.  Here is the link for the tutorial:

https://www.softchalkcloud.com/lesson/serve/cafVBuijknhpyr/html

Defining the Problem

Task 1.  Present a brief overview of the geographic distribution of gorillas in Africa using background information from the websites below (minimum 1 paragraph).

World Wildlife Federation at http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/gorilla and http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/western-lowland-gorilla

National Geographic at http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-gorilla/

Endangered Species International at http://www.endangeredspeciesinternational.org/gorillas.html

National Zoo at  https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/primates/facts/fact-gorilla.cfm

Research Review

Task 2.  What are the threats and challenges to the survival of gorilla populations in the wild? Consult two articles in Academic Search Complete to find multiple positions about the challenges you described. Write two paragraphs from what you have learned in your sources. Your thesis statement should be included here.  Make sure to critically evaluate these sources before incorporating them into your paper.  To do this, use the tutorial on evaluating information on the web: https://www.softchalkcloud.com/lesson/serve/gHCuqaifkJFQA5/html

Observations and Description

Task 3. Watch the video, “The Gorilla King”. Please complete the observation form that is provided at the end of this assignment to record your notes. For your final submission please type in your observation notes directly on the electronic copy.

Based upon your observations from the film, describe the nature of gorillas in the wild, their social behaviors, communication, patterns of foraging, reproduction and group formation. Describe the ecological and behavioral adaptations that are very specific to gorillas that might increase their risk of extinction?  (minimum length, 3 paragraphs)

Analysis and Recommendation

Task 4.  While all four species of gorillas are considered to be endangered, not all gorillas in Africa are under the same level of threat. Complete the risk assessment chart below using data from the internet websites provided in Task 1. Note that accurate background data from each species is required. Please enter your notes directly onto the electronic copy of the chart. Note that the first row of the chart has been partially completed to show you how it should be done.  In the risk assessment box, state which level of risk you believe that particular gorilla species is under; high, moderate, low, no risk?    

Risk Assessment Chart: African Gorillas

Recommendation and Conservation Plan

Task 5.  Once the chart is filled out, consider existing population numbers, the type and size of the gorilla habitats, and the type of threats or challenges each species is facing. Recommend which species, in which region, should receive priority in terms of protection, conservation assistance and funding. Please support your recommendation with reasoning and facts. Briefly describe a conservation plan that might work (minimum length, two paragraphs).

Conclusions

Task 6.  Please write one concluding paragraph. This paragraph should incorporate the new information you have gathered from your research.

References

Four sources are required for this assignment. Please use MLA format for the works cited and the in-text citations. Your paper should be four pages in length. Works cited should be on a separate page.

Guidelines for Writing the Paper

Please type your essay in Microsoft Word in 12 pt. Arial or Calibri using double spacing and indented paragraphs.  Make sure you write clearly about your ideas and use all the aids that you need in Word (spell check, word count, etc). The style of the piece should be that of social science writing used in Anthropology. If you need help, tutorials exist at the web page of the MC library on Plagiarism, MLA citations, and Doing Research.  To see all of the online Library’s tutorials, visit the home page at http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/libraries/ and go to the link in the For Students box

Here is the link to the writing center if you need further assistance with writing this assignment. https://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Department.aspx?id=24005