章節 150: Chapter 716: Loud Birdsong
This event undoubtedly brought about many changes.
Due to social distancing measures, many people stayed home and refrained from going out. The use of cars, buses, trains, and other transportation significantly decreased. Over two months, atmospheric particulate matter and other pollutants noticeably decreased.
The air became cleaner, leading to a reduction in respiratory diseases.
Noise levels also saw a significant drop, allowing birds to seize the opportunity to sing freely.
People began to notice that there were many birds in the city that they had never paid attention to before. They could now hear birds singing loudly all day long, along with the sound of their wings flapping.
Many people discussed on social media whether the birds' calls had become particularly loud recently or if it was just a misconception due to being cooped up at home with nothing else to do.
In fact, scientists had studied this phenomenon.
Fang Ye had previously mentioned in a TV interview that when people shout to friends across the street, the noise of traffic naturally makes them raise their voices.
This phenomenon has a name: the Lombard effect.
Researchers initially wondered if the reduction in urban noise would cause birds to lower their singing volume.
The results were surprising: not only did the birds' voices become softer, but their lower tones became deeper and their vocal range expanded, conveying more information. Some low tones had never been recorded before.
In more human terms, their chirping became more melodious and romantic.
It's like trying to be heard at a noisy party by shouting, which isn't conducive to singing, whereas in a quiet, deserted garden, one might convey profound discussions or tender words.
Even if the birds sang softly, the quieter environment allowed their songs to travel twice as far as usual.
Many people felt that the birds' songs had become louder, but it wasn't that the birds were singing louder; it was that more birds could be heard, up to four times more than usual.
This year might be the first time in their lives that these birds could communicate without straining their voices.
The quieting wasn't limited to land but extended to the seas.
Marine ecologists noted that with cruise ships halted, global ocean noise levels immediately dropped to levels unseen in decades.
Noise from ships and other marine traffic increases stress hormone levels in marine life, affecting their reproductive success. Whales and dolphins even learned to pause their songs when cargo ships approached and resume once they had passed.
This year was likely the most tranquil and pleasant migration period for these whales and dolphins, free from noise disturbances, pursuit, or sonar interference.
As researchers put it, when we held our breath, nature sighed in relief.
Nature is an endless book, yet most people have only read a few pages and think they understand it all. This lack of knowledge, arrogance, and various prejudices are why people fail to treat nature kindly.
Experiencing such a disaster is the best time for people to adjust their attitudes and learn about nature.
After the TV interview, Fang Ye had some ideas.
He had always planned to create an urban wildlife exhibit, but the idea was still in its infancy.
The native animal exhibit focuses on the animals living on this coastal land, emphasizing their historical changes, past conditions, and current status, provoking thoughts about their future.
The urban wildlife exhibit, however, would focus on the relationship between urban wildlife and humans.
There are many wild animals in the city, close to people, but often unnoticed.
Like the bats in this incident, people knew little about them and never paid attention to their presence in the city.
They didn't know why bats looked the way they did or how to react when encountering them.
In special situations, this could lead to incorrect responses.
Helping citizens understand and demystify these animals through education is a responsibility the zoo should actively undertake.
Most animals like bats have never received the attention they deserve, yet their role in the ecosystem is irreplaceable.
Future plans for the urban wildlife exhibit could include a bat house.
However, this would have to wait until the pandemic was over, as the current environment was too sensitive.
Other common urban issues like bird strikes and stray cats and dogs could also be addressed.
The urban wildlife exhibit would consider these aspects, encouraging visitors to think about how to coexist with these nearby animals and how to build better ecological cities for a more beautiful living environment.
...
The zoo was eerily quiet!
There weren't many visitors to begin with, and now it was closed as of January, following an official notice.
Announcements were posted on the zoo's public accounts and Weibo, informing visitors who had bought tickets online that they could get a refund.
The zoo's fans were understanding and supportive.
"We won't ask for a refund for the tickets we've already bought. Don't let the animals go hungry!"
"I'll visit the cute animals when the zoo reopens. Everything will get better."
"Hang in there! We'll get through this together! If you run out of money, let us know, and we'll donate."
The messages were heartwarming.
Lin Hai Zoo had sufficient funds to last for several months, far from needing donation support.
However, the animals, missing the visitors, were showing signs of loneliness!
Animals that regularly interacted with visitors, like Kazilan, the zoo's most beautiful alpaca, with its white fur and big eyes with long lashes, were particularly affected.
Kazilan, usually surrounded by visitors taking photos and feeding it, seemed listless, had lost its appetite, and often gazed longingly towards the zoo plaza.
Why weren't the visitors coming anymore? Didn't they like me?
Other alpacas, used to going out for walks, grazing on roadside grass, and greeting other animals during the alpaca parade, were now confined to their enclosures and visibly uncomfortable.
They all seemed somewhat unhappy.
Of course, there were those unaffected, like Brother Aotian, who continued to gaze coolly into the distance, indifferent to his companions' behavior.
He seemed to think, "I can endure loneliness!"
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票