The Panda Cam & Animal Surveillance
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Isaac Rooks Pandopticon: The Panda Cam & Animal Surveillance Abstract Panda Cams, which monitor and broadcast the activity of pandas in zoos or enclosed nature reserves, make an exceedingly rare and elusive species part of everyday life, creating the illusion of having unfettered access to the lives of these animals. They also represent a highly successful realization of the nature webcam’s potential, particularly in relation to managed environments. This article uses the Panda Cam as a case study to consider the unique ethics and implications of this relatively new method of observing and connecting with non-human animal life. To begin, this article contextualizes the out-of-proportion importance of pandas in the popular imagination. The charismatic panda has become (literally) emblematic of disappearing wildlife and the importance of conservation. The way pandas are presented, framed, and narrativized impacts human perceptions of the larger non-human world. The ubiquitous access enabled by webcam surveillance technology complements perceived connections with pandas fostered by traditional media sources. However, the Panda Cam exacerbates traditional criticisms of zoos. For good or ill, zoos have long shaped how humans understand the natural world and their relation to it, and this technology stands to change how humans experience these institutions. The article also places the Panda Cam in relation to alternative methods of watching animals, specifically wildlife documentaries and webcams set up in the wild. I ultimately argue that the zoo webcam technology cannot replace those forms, but can supplement them in important ways – lacking the documentary’s careful curation or the nature webcam’s illusion of a pristine and remote natural world. While acknowledging criticisms of the zoo webcam technology, this article argues that it would be a mistake wholly to reject a tool so successful in fostering affection and connection with a non- human species. One must recognize the good intentions and positive effects of this new technology, rather than castigating it for not conforming to an image of authentic nature. Yet, at this early stage, there still exists room for improvement. The technology in its current form often encourages a passive engagement with a subordinated natural world that audiences view on their own terms. In the future, this technology should strive to encourage a more active viewing experience and productively incorporate the frustration that often accompanies the physical zoo experience, or other nature webcams. Introduction exceptional cultural status. The species has become (literally) emblematic of disappearing wildlife and We live in a brave new world. In the not too distant the importance of conservation. At the same time, past, most humans would go their whole lives the out-of-proportion levels of money and attention without ever seeing a panda. Now, if this article bores they attract irritates some serious conservationists. you, you can use your computer or mobile device to Certain captive pandas attain near-celebrity status, view several high-quality live video feeds of pandas. complete with breathless news coverage of their This easy access comes courtesy of the ‘Panda Cam’ ‘relationships’ and pregnancy melodramas. This – a generic term denoting streaming video setups, same charisma makes them invaluable commodities, which monitor and broadcast the activity of pandas capable of exponentially increasing zoo revenues in zoos or enclosed nature reserves. While these and playing roles in geopolitical diplomacy. cameras offer perpetual visual access to pandas, the While pandas deserve special consideration technology remains in a research blind spot. given their unusual status, this does not mean that Scholars have addressed at length many discussing pandas can only yield insights about subjects related to the Panda Cam, but the unique pandas. The iconic and controversial panda looms ethics and implications of this viewing practice have large in the popular imagination. The way pandas not received sustained consideration. Dealing with are presented, framed, and narrativized impacts pandas demands a level of specificity, due to their human perceptions of the larger non-human world. Technologies of Knowing 43 Sonia Misra and Maria Zalewska, editors, Spectator 36:1 (Spring 2016): 43-57. PANDOPTICON In the ecology of human environmental attitudes, a tool so successful in raising funds for real-world pandas are a keystone species. conservation projects, and fostering affection and The Panda Cam plays an important role shaping connection with a non-human species. One must how the public views these animals. It makes this recognize the good intentions and positive effects once exotic species a part of everyday life, creating of this new technology, rather than castigating it the illusion of having unfettered access to the lives for not conforming to an image of authentic nature. of these animals. The Panda Cam represents a Yet, at this early stage, there still exists room for highly successful realization of the nature webcam’s improvement. The technology encourages a passive potential, particularly in relation to managed engagement with a subordinated natural world that environments. This format will likely become an audiences view on their own terms. In the future, this increasingly common method by which humans technology should strive to encourage a more active view animals. Indeed, in the near future, certain viewing experience and productively incorporate critically endangered species will probably exist in the frustration that often accompanies the artificial or managed environments exclusively. At physical zoo experience, or other nature webcams. that time, these creatures will only be accessible to These adaptations might better acknowledge and the majority of humans through formats that allow encourage respect of non-human animal autonomy, remote viewing of these areas. even while catering to the inevitable human desire The technology holds great promise, but this to view animals. is an early point in its development. While pandas are the format’s superstars, zoo webcams have been The Original Non-Digital around since 1996. Back in 2001, a Zoo Atlanta representative told a reporter that, one day, “I’d like As with many other endangered species,3 the panda’s to see the entire zoo online.”1 The realization of this problems stem from human activity putting pressure goal is a ways off, but the technology is spreading on their precarious evolutionary adaptations. internationally and monitors a number of species in Pandas subsist on a 99 percent bamboo diet, despite several zoos.2 For good or ill, zoos have long shaped never developing the herbivorous digestive system how humans understand the natural world and necessary to reap the full benefits of such a diet.4 their relation to it, and this technology stands to As described by one popular science report: “pandas change how humans experience these institutions. spend up to 14 hours each day consuming up to So what to make of this post-modern 12.5 kg (27.5 pounds) of leaves and stems, but communion with the natural world? Does it digest only about 17% of it. To conserve energy, the simply produce a thoroughly de-naturalized and bears also spend up to 12 hours each day sleeping, commodified nature – an exacerbated version of giving the impression of an animal that eats purely what critics suggest zoos always offered? How do to have enough energy to carry on eating.”5 This these webcams inflect zoos’ ostensible purpose: to helps explain their narrow annual reproductive educate the public, encourage environmentalist window and subsequent low birth rates.6 During attitudes, and foster human-animal connections? periods of abundant contiguous bamboo forests, Addressing these questions requires first considering multiple potential mates, and few natural predators, the unique biological and cultural position of pandas could sustain this ecological niche. However, the panda, before situating them in the often- human development fragmented their habitats scrutinized zoo project. The digitized zoo must then and population groups, leaving pandas vulnerable be considered in relation to wildlife documentary to periodic bamboo die-off and a lack of genetic films and other nature webcams, as these represent diversity. Poaching and the illegal trade of panda popular alternative non-fiction methods of remotely pelts also contributed to shrinking numbers. While viewing animals. How then does the Panda Cam’s none of these external, human-caused threats have viewing pleasures and narrative strategies compare been eradicated, extraordinary conservation efforts to these other formats? mitigate these factors and have led to (relatively) I view the technology with guarded impressive increases in the wild panda population. optimism. It would be a mistake to wholly reject 2014 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates 44 SPRING 2016 ROOKS placed their numbers at 1864, up from around 1000 made it readily apparent that pandas were valuable in the late 70s and increasing 17 percent in the past assets for zoos. However, when the last American decade.7 panda died in 1952, it took almost two decades for These gains are especially impressive in their reintroduction, in what would subsequently light of the cultural and political barriers with become known as ‘panda diplomacy.’14 which panda conservation strategies contended. After the People’s Republic of China A 1994 report noted: “In China,