What animals do you enjoy seeing at a zoo, including those that you would see on safari trips or Arctic sightseeing tours? What do you like most about these animals?
Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, exploring ideas, and sharing opinions.
Zoos are important for protecting endangered animals.
Wild animals should not be kept in zoos.
Visiting a zoo is a great way for children to learn about animals.
Some zoos care more about making money than about the animals.
Animals in zoos can be just as happy as animals in the wild.
Virtual reality can replace the need for real zoos in the future.
Zoos should only keep animals that cannot survive in the wild.
Feeding animals at the zoo should not be allowed.
Zoo staff should explain more about how they care for the animals.
Watching animals in a zoo is better than watching them in videos.
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Post-Listening Exercise
Zoos can be wonderful places to visit with family and friends. Do you have any favorite memories as a child when you spent time with family or friends? What animals did you enjoy watching the most? Sometimes there are concerns about the conditions at zoos under which the animals live. What things can be done to create a better environment for animals at zoos? Discuss your ideas with a partner.
Online Investigation
Think of one exotic animal you might find at a zoo. Use the internet to research these questions about it. Share your findings.
Where can you find the animal in the world?
What does it eat?
What are the animal’s predators?
If you found yourself in a cage with this animal, how would you feel and what would you do?