Put Me in the Zoo Guided Reading Level

Zoo conservation programmes

One of London Zoo's recent advertisements acquired me some irritation, so patently did it distort reality. Headlined "Without zoos you lot might as well tell these animals to get stuffed", it was bordered with illustrations of several endangered species and went on to extol the myth that without zoos similar London Zoo these animals "volition almost certainly disappear forever". With the zoo world's rather mediocre record on conservation, one might be forgiven for existence slightly sceptical well-nigh such an advertisement.

Zoos were originally created every bit places of entertainment, and their suggested interest with conservation didn't seriously arise until virtually 30 years ago, when the Zoological Club of London held the first formal international meeting on the subject. Eight years after, a series of globe conferences took identify, entitled "The Convenance of Endangered Species", and from this point onwards conservation became the zoo community's buzzword. This delivery has at present been clear divers in The World Zoo Conservation Strategy (WZGS, September 1993), which although an of import and welcome certificate does seem to be based on an unrealistic optimism most the nature of the zoo manufacture.

The WZCS estimates that there are about 10,000 zoos in the globe, of which effectually 1,000 stand for a cadre of quality collections capable of participating in coordinated conservation programmes. This is probably the document's kickoff failing, equally I believe that ten,000 is a serious underestimate of the total number of places masquerading as zoological establishments. Of class it is hard to go accurate data only, to put the issue into perspective, I have plant that, in a year of working in Eastern Europe, I find fresh zoos on nigh a weekly ground.

The second flaw in the reasoning of the WZCS document is the naive faith it places in its one,000 core zoos. 1 would assume that the calibre of these institutions would take been carefully examined, simply it appears that the criterion for inclusion on this select list might merely exist that the zoo is a member of a zoo federation or association. This might be a skilful starting indicate, working on the premise that members must run across sure standards, but again the facts don't support the theory. The greatly respected American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) has had extremely dubious members, and in the U.k. the Federation of Zoological Gardens of United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland and Ireland has occasionally had members that take been roundly censured in the national printing. These include Robin Hill Adventure Park on the Isle of Wight, which many considered the nearly notorious collection of animals in the country. This establishment, which for years was protected by the Isle'due south local quango (which viewed it as a tourist assiduities), was finally closed down post-obit a damning report past a veterinary inspector appointed nether the terms of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. Every bit it was always a collection of dubious repute, one is obliged to reflect upon the standards that the Zoo Federation sets when granting membership. The situation is even worse in developing countries where piffling money is bachelor for redevelopment and it is hard to meet a way of incorporating collections into the overall scheme of the WZCS.

Even assuming that the WZCS's 1,000 core zoos are all of a high standard consummate with scientific staff and research facilities, trained and dedicated keepers, adaptation that permits normal or natural behaviour, and a policy of co-operating fully with ane some other what might exist the potential for conservation? Colin Tudge, author of Last Animals at the Zoo (Oxford University Press, 1992), argues that "if the world"due south zoos worked together in co-operative breeding programmes, and then even without farther expansion they could save around 2,000 species of endangered land vertebrates'. This seems an extremely optimistic proffer from a homo who must exist enlightened of the failings and weaknesses of the zoo industry the homo who, when a fellow member of the council of London Zoo, had to persuade the zoo to devote more of its activities to conservation. Moreover, where are the facts to back up such optimism?

Today approximately 16 species might be said to have been "saved" by captive breeding programmes, although a number of these can hardly be looked upon as resounding successes. Beyond that, almost a farther xx species are being seriously considered for zoo conservation programmes. Given that the international conference at London Zoo was held 30 years agone, this is pretty slow progress, and a long way off Tudge'due south target of 2,000.

Questions i-7

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage? In boxes i-7 write

YESif the statement agrees with the writer

NOif the statement contradicts the writer

Non GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks nigh this

Example Respond

London Zoo'due south advertisements are poorly presented.      NOT GIVEN

1 London Zoo'southward advertisements are dishonest.
i. Respond: YES    Locate

2 Zoos made an insignificant contribution to conservation upward until thirty years ago.
2. Answer: Yes    Locate

3 The WZCS certificate is not known in Eastern Europe.
three. Answer: NOT GIVEN

four Zoos in the WZCS select listing were carefully inspected.
4. Respond: NO    Locate

v No-one knew how the animals were beingness treated at Robin Hill Risk Park.
5. Answer: NO    Locate

6 Colin Tudge was dissatisfied with the treatment of animals at London Zoo.
6. Answer: NOT GIVEN

7 The number of successful zoo conservation programmes is unsatisfactory.
7. Answer: YES    Locate

Questions viii-10

Choose the appropriate letters A-D and write them in boxes 8-x on your reply sheet.

viiiWhat were the objectives of the WZCS document?

A to improve the calibre of zoos world-wide

B to identify zoos suitable for conservation practice

C to provide funds for zoos in underdeveloped countries

D to list the endangered species of the world
8. Answer: B    Locate

9Why does the writer refer to Robin Colina Adventure Park?

A to back up the Isle of Wight local council

B to criticise the 1981 Zoo Licensing Act

C to illustrate a weakness in the WZCS certificate

D to exemplify the standards in AAZPA zoos
ix. Answer: C    Locate

x What word best describes the writer's response to Colin Tudges' prediction on convict breeding programmes?

A disbelieving

B impartial

C prejudiced

D accepting
ten. Reply: A    Locate

Questions 11-13

The author mentions a number of factors which lead him to doubt the value of the WZCS document

Which 3 of the following factors are mentioned? Write your answers (A-F) in boxes 11-thirteen on your answer canvas.

List of Factors

A    the number of unregistered zoos in the world

B    the lack of money in developing countries

C    the deportment of the Isle of Wight local council

D    the failure of the WZCS to examine the standards of the "core zoos"

E    the unrealistic aim of the WZCS in view of the number of species "saved" to date

F    the policies of WZCS zoo managers

xi. Answer: A/D/E    Locate
12. Answer: A/D/E    Locate
13. Reply: A/D/East    Locate

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