Hello, I'm Rob Welcome to 6 Minute English. With me today is Neil. Hello, Neil.
Neil: Hello Rob!
Rob: In this programme we're going to be talking about endangered species, particularly elephants in China. So let's start with a question Neil. Do you know how many elephants are still living in the wild in China? Is it:
a) Fewer than 15,000
b) Fewer than 1,000
c) Fewer than 300
Neil: I don't know but I'm going to have a guess and say b) fewer than 1,000.
Rob: I'll let you know if you're right or wrong at the end of the programme.
Neil: So Rob, have you ever come across any animal species under threat?
Rob: Yes, I have, I went to Australia a few years ago and saw some turtles on the beach laying their eggs and they're very rare, aren't they?
Neil: They are very rare. I've always wanted to see them but I haven't had the chance. I was lucky enough to see a panda when I was in China once and they're threatened with extinction, too, of course.
Neil, the sad thing is that many wild animals are in danger because of human activities. There are all sorts of reasons why this is happening.
Yes, it's really upsetting. And if people thought a bit harder about the impact their lives make on wild animals, it could easily be prevented. Take those sea turtles you were talking about, for instance. They're under threat for all sorts of reasons, over-fishing being one of them.
Rob, then there are various species of rhinoceros which could disappear within a few years' time.
Again, people poach these creatures - poach means hunt illegally - because their horns are used for medicinal purposes. And, of course, in country areas, miles from civilisation, it's almost impossible to keep a check on illegal killings.
Neil, it really makes you think, doesn't it Rob?
Neil: Actually, it's not that simple, Rob. Human beings are also under pressure and often have strong arguments in favour of their actions. This Chinese farmer explains this with an expression that means 'arrived'. Can you tell me what it is?Chinese Farmer
He said 'showing up'. This means the elephants arrived.RobAnd he said they 'gave up' growing it. This means they stopped growing it.NeilThe plight of the Asian elephant in China makes a pretty bleak picture, I must say. I understand that they are victims of all sorts of abuse.
The decline in the number of elephants over the past 75 years, as stated by experts, has reached 50 per cent. This decrease is primarily due to poaching, as elephants are hunted for their skins to create leather goods and their meat. In addition to poaching, elephants are losing their habitats. The growth of plantations, including rubber and other cash crops, is destroying the places where elephants live. These monocultures do not provide the same lifestyle that elephants were adapted to.
Moreover, deforestation is contributing to the problem. The destruction of entire forests means that elephants are losing their natural habitats. Additionally, human populations living in newly established villages have cut off the migration routes of elephants in some areas. Overall, human population expansion is forcing animals like elephants out of their natural environments.
Rob, you know there's another very unpleasant way in which these creatures are suffering. Neil has told us what happens to young elephants - they are taken away from the herd and turned into performing circus animals for tourists.
Rob: Really, Neil?
Neil: Yes, I hear that sometimes nails are driven into their feet, they are deprived of sleep, food and water. This is to make them easy to train. It's so cruel.
Rob: That's terrible, but there are people trying to improve the situation, Neil. For example, there's a rehabilitation programme that aims to bring elephants back to a normal life. The programme rescues elephants at risk and gives them protection within a special sanctuary.
Then there are some people who are trying to get farmers to work in a different way. Let's listen to a forestry policeman who uses an expression to describe the way people farm the land. Can you tell me what it is?
Forestry police representative:
It makes me sad. I want people to know that they shouldn't cut down the forest, and that there are consequences if they do. I want them to change their farming practices, to change how they make a living. We could become a tourist destination. People could make money from that.
Neil said "farming practices". This means the way people farm the land.
Rob and he said "make a living". This refers to people earning enough money in order to survive.
So, let's hope the elephants still living in the wild in China can be saved. So, would you like the answer to the quiz question now?
Neil: Yes, OK. You asked me how many elephants are still living in the wild in China. Was it fewer than 15,000, fewer than 1,000, or fewer than 300? And I guessed 1,000.
Rob: I'm afraid the answer is actually fewer than 300.
Neil: That's a real cause for concern.
Rob: Well, we're almost out of time. So, let's remind ourselves of some of the words we've said today, Neil.
Rob: Hey Neil, so what have you been up to
Neil: Not too much, just showing up at a local school to teach kids about conservation.
Rob: That's great! What are you teaching them?
Neil: We're teaching them about the importance of habitats and how farming practices can harm them. It's important that we all make a living while still taking care
of the environment.
Rob: I agree. So how did you get involved in this?
Neil: Well, my friend started a rehabilitation programme for some of the local animals. He was getting frustrated with people poaching them and not taking care of their habitats. I decided to join him
and help out.
Rob: That's really cool. Do you think this will make a difference?
Neil: I hope so. It's a start, but it takes a lot more work to create real change. We need to educate people about the impact of their actions on the environment.
Rob: Yeah, it starts with small steps, like recycling and reducing our carbon footprint. But it can add up to big changes over time.
Neil: Definitely. And it's not just about protecting wildlife, it's also about protecting ourselves and future generations. We need to take responsibility for our planet and work towards a sustainable future.
Rob: That's a good point. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Neil. It was great talking to you today.
Neil: You too, Rob! Well, that's it for today. Until next time. Goodbye!
Rob: Goodbye!
