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Out of the Wild, into our Homes
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Many of the earth's creatures die because of choices humans make. These choices have nothing to do with food or shelter or anything else that helps humans survive. What kills these
millions of animals from all over the world is human greed - the desire for money.
People use parts of animals for everything from hats to handbags. from ornamental jewelry and ashtrays to powders that supposedly improve a person's life. Declaring a species endangered
and protecting it by-laws is not always enough. Poachers, people who kill wildlife illegally, rarely get caught.
During the late 1980s, saving elephants became a popular cause. Wildlife protection groups made sure everyone saw pictures or films of elephants with their faces sawed off for their ivory
tusks. These groups also proved that certain populations of elephants were dwindling.
As a result, most people stopped buying objects made of ivory. Laws against poaching were strengthened. Many countries made bringing ivory in from other countries illegal. Killing elephants
for their ivory became riskier and less profitable.
However, concern for a certain species tends to fade after a while. In the late 1970s. people protested against the slaughter of seal pups. Everyone was shocked at the sight of pups being
clubbed to death in their icy habitat. The brutality came to a halt. But ten years later, the number of seal pups killed was higher than ever.
Other animal protection movements have come and gone, such as saving the whales and protecting dolphins from the tuna fishermen. The whale population appears to have increased for
now. And the laws are finally changing in the United States to protect the dolphins that swim with tuna fish in parts of the Pacific Ocean.
In the 2010s, the protests and the publicity will probably turn to some other endangered species. Plenty of them urgently needs attention. During this time, will the elephants be forgotten?
1) What is true about the number of whales?
A. The number is completely lower than before.
B. The number has risen thanks to some animal protection movements.
C. There was no whale found to appear with the tunas.
D. The number appears to be equal to the number of seal pups.
2) When did the elephant protection movements become popular?
A. in 1980s
B. a decade before 1970s
C. in 1970s
D. a decade after 1980s
3) What animals received more positive protection thanks to the policies in the United State?
A. tunas
B. elephants
C. seal pups
D. dolphins
