WILD ANIMALS Flashcards
- What wild animals do you like and why?
I’m a big fan of elephants I think elephants are curious and amazing creatures. I’ve seen elephants on the television, not in real life where they’re trained to do amazing things from almost acrobatics to painting with their trunk and I just think they’re lovely creatures and they seem very sociable and very friendly. Although of course in the wild, I’m sure they’re much much aggressive but they are typically an animal that humans like to tame and I think they’re wonderful.
To be extinct
= to no longer exist
The dodo was a flightless bird, but it is now extinct
May become extinct in future
- To be in danger of extinction
- To be endangered
- To be critically endangered
- To be a threatened species
- To be a vulnerable species
To kill an animal
- To poach = to kill an animal illegally
- To hunt = to chase and kill an animal (can be legal)
- To slaughter = to kill livestock usually for food
Ecosystem
a natural environment, where everything is connected
- A balanced ecosystem
- Killing animals can put the ecosystem out of balance
Habitat
living space of animals
- The natural habitat
Population
The population of turtles is decreasing
To live
in the wild in the wilderness in the jungle in the rainforest/dessert/ sea in the tundra
- Should we protect wild animals?
The first reason NOT TO BOTHER WITH protecting some endangered species is the astronomical cost. Surely, there are better ways to spend those millions of pounds, such as education, hospitals, starvation and the like.
What’s more, some species like the wolf are a danger to humans, as well as the livestock we keep. Why should we save them? As for the cute panda, it’s not like we depend on them, surely it’s just a waste of money trying to rescue them from the brink of extinction. (The edge of extinction)
Let’s not forget as well, mass extinctions happen as a part of nature. Remember the dinosaurs? If the disappearance of certain species is a part of nature, why should we interfere?
- Have you ever seen any wild animals before?
Yeah, luckily I have. When I was a child, maybe around 8 years old. My parents bought me to the zoo and I got a chance to see a lot of wild animals that I’d never seen before like tigers, lions, and peacocks. They all looked very cool to me.
- Do you like to go to the zoo?
To be honest, visiting the zoo used to be one of my favourite pastimes when I was younger. However, as an adult, I’ve become more aware of the real nature of such places. Animals are kept in captivity in cages. Most zoos are not established for the sake of these animals but for commercial value. I would prefer to let them thrive in their own environment. They need liberty and freedom
- Have you ever kept pets?
To be honest, I had a pet cat named Lily a few years ago. I started raising her when she was only one month old. During our time together, we traveled to different places and shared our memories together. My family really adores her. Unfortunately, she was stolen after her second birthday and since then I’ve decided not to have any pets with me anymore.
- Do you like to watch TV programs about wild animals?
Wow, without a doubt I’m a big fan of biology so I would love to gain more insights into animals.
One of the most impressive shows that I used to watch on National Geographics is how predators use their instincts to hunt their prey, and how the preys counter that by using their innate abilities.
- Do you learn somthing about wild animals on school?
Well, we do.
We have biology classes at school but most of the students do not take much heed in what the teachers lecture about. Some of my classmates told me that biology sucks their soul out and the biology books contain nothing but tedium.
For me personally, biology is a world full of wonders
- Where can you see wild animals?
- For terrestrial species, we can visit the zoos where animals are kept in captivity in cages.
- For marine animals, we can go to the aquarium.
I believe that capturing animals from their natuaral habitat is cruel and I would prefer to let them thrive in their own environment. They need liberty and freedom.
