Conservation
Animals and plants are dying out at an alarming rate.
Throughout history living things have become
extinct, mainly due to climate change. Today humans
are the biggest threat. Forests are being cut down and
wetlands are being drained for building on which has
Quick facts
caused thousands of animals and plants to become
endangered. The environment is being changed so
Type: Mammal
much that animals and plants cannot survive. We call Life span: 1.2 to 1.5 m
this habitat loss. Trees are cut down and burned for Diet: Carnivore
timber. The land is then used for buildings and roads. Status: Endangered
Hunting is another great threat. Animals are hunted for their fur, horns, and meat.
Conservation includes sheltering and trying to save animals and plants from destruction by
humans. There are organizations all over the world protecting endangered creatures and
providing safe places for them to live.
The snow leopard is an endangered cat and is still hunted illegally in some areas for its fur.
CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) protects the snow
leopard. Whales, dolphins, porpoises, monkeys, apes, and lemurs are also protected by CITES.
Experts help endangered species by capturing a few animals in the wild and raising them in
captivity. Offspring are then released into a safe, suitable area.
Pollution also threatens animals and plants, damaging oceans, rivers, and forests.
© Primary Leap Ltd. 2012 www.primaryleap.co.uk - Primary Resources
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07-01-07-100-s
Name: Subject: Themes
Date: Sheet: Conservation
Read the information sheet about conservation on the previous page and then answer
the questions.
a) List some of the reasons why animals are becoming endangered.
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b) Write down 5 animals that are protected by CITES?
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c) Choose an animal off the endangered species list below and write about it. Think about
where it lives and why it is endangered. Is it hunted or is its habitat being destroyed?
What sort of things could you do to protect it?
Asian Elephant, Blue Whale, Orangutan, Chimpanzee, Giant Panda, Gorilla, Zebra,
Leopard, Giraffe, Snow Leopard, Sea Lion, Tiger.
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© Primary Leap Ltd. 2012 www.primaryleap.co.uk - Primary Resources
