Scientist Sea Lions
Job 12:9-10: "Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?"
Does a sea lion make a good scientist? Human scientists say that sea lions show a good understanding of complex relationships between variables.
At the Long Marine Lab at the University of California at Santa Cruz, sea lions are indeed in training for scientific careers. The sea lions will not only be doing research on themselves, but also on other sea creatures. One of their most interesting tasks is videotaping gray whales in the ocean depths. In fact, they are being trained in tanks to learn how to take good videos. Scientists feel that since the whales are used to seeing sea lions, they will behave more naturally than they do when human beings are taping them. In addition, sea lions can dive to depths that would be difficult for human divers to reach. The sea lions will also wear monitors that record their own body functions.
Trainers describe sea lions as more intelligent than dogs. Sea lions prefer interaction with humans, especially games, to food as a reward. One researcher noted that the sea lions now undergoing training will select a Wiffle ball rather than fish, when given a choice. Scientists say that the sea lions in training will follow a broad range of instructions if they are kept entertained. They will dive to specific depths and remain there until instructed to surface.
God has given His creatures intelligence based on their needs, not on their resemblance to man. This simple principle explains why the claims that man arose from the animal world are wrong.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful creatures You have made, especially those that interact with us. Help those who work with the creatures You have made to clearly see how these creatures glorify You and proclaim Your work of creation. Amen.
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