Bio Educational Field Trip Report

The main aim of this outing was to explore animals and how they are
undergoing Captive Breeding. For this activity, we were taken to Bannerghatta
National Park [Zoo].
As any other zoo, we saw a lot of different types of plants and animals.

In biology, as in any subject, we have to go beyond textbooks and labs to be

able to observe certain species in their natural surroundings and so that our
minds open to more questions and understanding. We spent almost 5 to 6
hours watching animals in captivity, learning about plants and taking pictures.

Bannerghatta Park is a 65,000 acre biological park whose main objective is to

support endangered wildlife who do not stand a chance of surviving in the
wild. The main objective of this zoo is to complement and strengthen the
national efforts in ex-situ conservation and strengthen the conservation of the
rich biodiversity of the country, particularly the fauna.
In-situ conservation refers to protecting an animal or plant species in their
natural habitat. On the other hand, Ex-situ conservation refers to a plant or
animal species which is endangered or very rare, being relocated to protected
areas meant for their preservation.

Map of the Bannerghatta National Park:

 Findings :
2 species studies in depth :

ANIMAL

Actual Name Cape Porcupine

Scientific Name Hystrix africaeaustralis Peters,

1852

Domain Eukaryota

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Mammalia

Order Rodentia

Family Hystricidae

Genus Hystrix

Species africaeaustralis

PLANTS
Actual Name Angel’s tears/Snow angel’s
trumpet

Scientific Name Brugmansia suaveolens

Domain Eukaryota

Kingdom Plantae

Phylum Tracheophyta

Class Magnoliopsida

Order Solanales

Family Solanaceae

Genus Brugmansia

Species suaveolens

Cladogram:
Special Observation:
1-
The “Swiss Cheese Plant” has huge leaves with holes in it resembling the Swiss
cheese.
Leaf shape changes as the leaves mature from entire to having holes to having
perforations often extending to and breaking through the outer edges of the
leaves and result in a pinnatifid leaf shape.
The holes allow them to resist the hurricane wind, allowing the winds to pass
through. They also allow better temperature regulation and water to run
through the plants down to its roots.

2-

Zoo hospitals have a disinfectant (blood colored) which is used in washing off
the feet of humans and animals when they enter the clinic as they might carry
some pathogens or bacteria with them which might infect the other animals in
the vet.