Printed by: Irving Harrison What Researchers Learn From Tiger Video JAKARTA, Indonesia (Achieve3000, June 3, 2011). In October 2010, tiger researchers captured something astonishing on video. It was in a small area of a forest on Sumatra. Sumatra is an island in Indonesia. Videos showed Photo credit: WWF-Indonesia/PHKA/AP 12 Sumatran tigers over a short period of time. One video showed 3 young cubs. Another recorded adult tigers. Still another video showed 2 cubs and their mother. These tigers approached and sniffed the camera. The researchers say these pictures are important. They show that the forests must be protected. The Sumatran tigers are already critically endangered. If the woods are cut down, the tigers could disappear. The researchers are from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). They set up cameras to record the Sumatran tigers. They wanted to figure out which areas of forest the animals use. WWF leaders say that protecting these tigers is important. Sumatran tigers live only on Sumatra. They are close to extinction. Deforestation of their habitat, poaching, and clashes with humans have decreased their numbers. In the 1970s, there were about 1,000 Sumatran tigers in the wild. Now, there are about 400 tigers. There are six kinds of tigers in the world. The Sumatran tigers are the smallest. (At one time, there were nine kinds of tigers. Three of them are now extinct.) All six kinds of tigers are endangered. Many of them number in the hundreds. This means that they could easily be destroyed. On Sumatra, the WWF's tiger research team set up four video camera traps along known tiger routes. Tigers use these routes to move between two protected areas on Sumatra. The camera traps were triggered when special lights sensed body heat. Karmila Parakkasi heads the WWF's tiger research team on Sumatra. She was surprised that the cameras captured photos of a dozen cats. She's not sure why the tigers are moving to new areas. Parakkasi and others are worried. The protected areas are safe for tigers. Logging is not allowed there. However, the part of the route between the two areas is not protected. According to the WWF, a company has already asked for timber permits in the tigers' route. 1 of 7 10/26/11 11:10 AM
WWF leaders have asked companies that are logging in the area to stop. They have also asked government leaders to stop companies from logging, when necessary. WWF leaders want companies to recognize that protecting Indonesia's wildlife is important. Information for this story came from AP. Click here! Dictionary critically endangered (adjective) likely to die out before long extinction (noun) when all the members of a certain group die out poach (verb) to hunt in a way that is against the law researcher (noun) someone who studies things trigger (verb) to cause something to happen 2 of 7 10/26/11 11:10 AM
Select the letter of the correct answer. Question 1: Based on the article, which fits best in the empty box above? The WWF says that a company has asked for timber permits. The WWF set up some cameras to record tigers on Sumatra. The WWF wants to save some forest areas to save Sumatran tigers. The WWF is not sure why the tigers were moving to new areas. Question 2: According to the article, why did researchers from the WWF set up cameras to record the tigers? Because they wanted to catch three young Sumatran tiger cubs Because they wanted to change the tigers' route through the forest Because they wanted to stop companies from getting timber permits Because they wanted to figure out which areas of the forest the tigers use 3 of 7 10/26/11 11:10 AM
Question 3: Which is the closest antonym for the word trigger, as it's used in the article? Start Select Handle Halt Question 4: Angela wants to read more about the other five kinds of tigers. She would find most of the information. In a book about visiting Sumatra On a Web site about endangered animals In a book about desert animals On a Web site about the WWF's workers Question 5: The article states: The researchers say these pictures are important. They show that the forests must be protected. The Sumatran tigers are already critically endangered. Which would be the closest antonym for the word protected? Teased Destroyed Guarded Explored Question 6: Which of these is a fact? WWF is wise to ask companies on Sumatra to stop logging. 4 of 7 10/26/11 11:10 AM
The Sumatran tiger is the smallest kind of tiger. Logging is more important than protecting tigers. Sumatran tigers are the cutest of all endangered tigers. Question 7: The article states: Sumatran tigers live only on Sumatra. They are close to extinction. Deforestation of their habitat, poaching, and clashes with humans have decreased their numbers. In the 1970s, there were about 1,000 Sumatran tigers in the wild. Now, there are about 400 tigers. The author uses this passage mostly to help the reader. See when some people plan to stop poaching on Sumatra Understand how deforestation got started on Sumatra See why Sumatran tigers only live on Sumatra Understand why protecting Sumatran tigers is necessary Question 8: The news article says all of the following except. How many kinds of tigers there are in the world How many Sumatran tigers there were in the 1970s How many Sumatran tigers are left in the wild How many kinds of tigers have been caught on video 5 of 7 10/26/11 11:10 AM
rite a story about life as a wild Sumatran tiger. W Write a narrative (a story) to develop real or made up events. Use details. Be sure to tell the story in a clear sequence. Write your answer in the box below. Should the land between the protected areas in Indonesia also be protected? Yes. It will keep the tigers safe. No. People should be able to use the land, too. Instructions: Select the letter of the correct answer. Question 1: Four video cameras captured pictures of 12 Sumatran tigers living in Indonesia. What is the average number of tigers photographed by each camera? 2 tigers 5 tigers 3 tigers 6 of 7 10/26/11 11:10 AM
4 tigers 7 of 7 10/26/11 11:10 AM