Ingles - Junio - Parte 3 - Reading Zone

Reading Zone
Ahora leemos...

Five of the world's most endangered animals

Black rhino (Diceros bicornis)

Rhinos are one of the oldest groups of mammals. Some say they are virtually living fossils. But they will end up as fossils if poaching is not stopped.  They live in Namibia and east coast of Africa and are targeted particularly for their horns. It’s believed that there are fewer than 5,000 surviving.

Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate)

Hawksbill turtles live in tropical oceans and play an important role in maintaining coral reefs.  They feed on sponges and create better access for fish to find their own food on the reef’s surface. But the species is under threat. They go to the surface to breathe, and if caught up in nets and hooks, they drown. Conservationists aim to work with fishermen to prevent turtles being caught in nets.

Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

Fewer than four hundred Sumatran tigers survive in the remaining areas of forests of their native island. Rapid deforestation and poaching mean this species could end up extinct. Indonesian law protects them by imposing jail sentences and fines for poachers. But there’s still a big market in Asia for tiger products.

  

Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

These gorillas can be found in the Congo Basin and Central Africa. Poaching and the deadly virus Ebola, also found in the region, caused a decline by more than sixty percent. Scientists believe that even if the threat to the species is removed it will take about seventy-five years for its population to recover.

Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

The Amur leopard can be found in the far east of Russia. Its beautiful fur attracts poachers. But conservationists see the light at the end of the tunnel for this animal as their population has more than doubled in just seven years. Recent reports put the number of these big cats at fifty-seven in Russia’s Land of the Leopard National Park. There are also 8 to 12 individuals in neighbouring Chinese areas.

 

A ver si comprendimos el texto… Contestá las siguientes preguntas.

1 Which species suffered from illegal hunting?

2 Which species is described in the text as old?

3 Which species could have a better future?