During a virtual safari, visitors of the Futuroscope in Poitiers (France) can learn about future animals. The exposition shows how the fauna of our planet evolve over the next million years.
It is not likely that anyone of us will have the pleasure to experience the changes and meet the future animals personally, so the experience is unique and exciting. More importantly, the exhibit sends a message. The animals showcase the impact on evolution driven by our destructive way-of-life.
The sketched environment and the animals are the results of a theory developed by a British scientists who studied the geological movements of the earth, the climate and the capacity of fauna to adapt.
Since I live in the delta of the Amazônia, I will feature animals of the future from the same region:
1) The 'baboukari' is the descendant of the white uacari monkey with the red face' (Cacajo calvus), which, according to researchers can only be found in the Amazônia. In the theory of the future, the 'baboukari' will not live in trees any longer as there will be no trees in the Amazônia. The baboukari will use their tail, not for balancing between branches, but to communicate with each other in the high vegetation of Savannah, a future Amazônia region.
2) The 'tortunossauro' evolves from the giant tortoise (podocnemis expansa). In 100 million years this tortoise will be the largest land animal with a height of 7 meters. Largest than the dinosaur, he will weigh some 120 metric tons, 40 times an elephant. Without having to face predators, he will lose the better part of his shell.
3) A descendant of the rodent, the capivara (hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), has densely covered skin, a densely covered shell and callous spines, like a porcupine.
4) The future terrestrial birds seem to have evolved from the turkey or the ostrich. Thanks to its sturdy legs, this bird will be one of the fastest predators of the Amazônia.
5) The 'large blue glider' will live on the mountaintops. As it is in the air most of its time, evolution has given the bird two pairs of wings with a 15 meter wingspan. To protect the bird from the sun, the feathers will be a reflective, metallic blue.
It is a pity really that the exposition does not show a projection of the future human being. Probably because humans will have cooked themselves extinct...
For a full photo gallery, go to: BBC Brasil
For more detailed descriptions, go to: Brazil In Hot Pants
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Animals of the Future
Exhibit Showcases Future Climate Change and Evolution
Trend Themes
1. Future Fauna - The exhibit showcases potential future animals and highlights the impact of climate change on evolution.
2. Adaptive Evolution - The theory developed by British scientists explores the capacity of fauna to adapt to changing environments.
3. Innovative Animal Features - The future animals display unique characteristics such as communication through tails and reflective feathers.
Industry Implications
1. Ecotourism - The virtual safari experience opens up opportunities for eco-friendly tourism focused on observing future animals in their natural habitats.
2. Environmental Conservation - The exhibit emphasizes the consequences of human activities, promoting the need for conservation efforts to mitigate the destructive impacts.
3. Biotechnology - Studying the potential evolution of animals can inspire innovative biotechnology solutions for adapting to climate change and preserving biodiversity.