Student is dogged in observing big cats

The choice seems to have stuck for one student in this year's Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Meagan Bethel, a 9-year-old fourth-grader at Holladay Intermediate Magnet School, 1110 E. 33rd St., has spent five years on projects that further her interest in animals. She won a third-place ribbon in kindergarten for her observation of tigers at the zoo and a second-place ribbon plus $50 and a trophy last year for a project with catnip.

Her success is even more impressive because her school doesn't have a science fair. Most students participate in their school competition to win a trip to the regional competition. Meagan needed special permission from her principal to enter the regional event.

This year, she wanted to do a project about dolphins, until her mother reminded her there are no dolphins in the desert. So Meagan continued her research with big cats by observing the behavior of lions, tigers and jaguars at the Reid Park Zoo for two months. She wanted to test if visitors get an accurate view of the big cats compared with their documented behaviors.

Meagan interviewed the zookeepers and took behind-the-scenes tours of the zoo. She also observed each cat individually and as part of a group, looking for 37 different behaviors.

Meagan said she compared the behaviors between species to see what each type of cat was most likely to do and also on an individual basis, to determine if visitors could observe each cat's personality. She also organized the data based on what trends she saw at different times of day, to help visitors decide the best time to visit to see a certain behaviors or observe the cats at their most active times.

She witnessed one behavior she didn't expect during her first observation. Meagan said the older male lion at the zoo, Bali, pounced against the glass in front of her.

"I was probably staring at him too long," she said.

She said that was her only scary encounter, and it didn't dissuade her from wanting to work with animals when she grows up.

"I like animals and studying things and observing," she said. "I like competing for the prizes."

Meagan's mom sent her observations to the zoo, and Vivian VanPeenen, the zoo's education curator, said that Meagan's information will be beneficial.

"Zookeepers cannot watch their animals 24 hours a day," she said. "This is valuable data for the keepers to look at."

Meagan said she's inspired by her older sister, Liz Baker, a regular winner at the fair. Baker won a trip to Florida at the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, and won an award last year at the International Science-Engineer Fair as a high school senior.

Science fair visitors can see Meagan's project, titled "Lions and Tigers and Jaguars, Oh My!" along with projects ranging from biochemistry and astronomy to behavioral and social topics.

"Anyone who goes will be amazed at what these kids can do," fair director Jack Johnson said.