© New Guinea Highland Wild dog foundation via: CNN
Pre-reading questions:
- How often do you go to zoos?
- If you were to choose what kind of animal you would be, what is it and why?
Vocabulary:
- expedition /ek-spi-DISH-uhn/
[noun] — an organized journey for a particular purpose
The team prepared themselves for the expedition
- ancestor /AN-ses-ter/
[noun] — a plant, animal, or object that is related to one existing at a later point in time
These species share a common ancestor.
- highland /HAHY-luhnd/
[noun] — in or relating to an area with mountains or hills
Their grandparents were born and raised in the highlands.
- unique /yoo-NEEK/
[adjective] — being the only existing one of its type or, more generally, unusual, or special in some way
Each person’s fingerprint is unique.
- environment /en-VAHY-ruhn-muhnt/
[noun] — the air, water, and land in or on which people, animals, and plants live
This environment is ideal for these crops.
The extremely rare breed of New Guinea’s “singing” dogs was found again in the wild after 50 years until 2016, when an expedition found 15 of them. One more expedition was carried on in 2018 by a group of scientists that collected samples to determine if the wild dogs are the ancestors of the singing dog breed. There are around 200 singing dogs in captivity and not one singing dog was seen in the highlands for 5 decades.
This rare breed is famous for their howls that are similar to the sounds of humpback whales. According to San Diego Zoo, their howls sound like a yodel with the tones going up and down. If they are in packs, one dog starts singing and others join in at different pitches, each with its own unique voice. Scientists are looking forward that more singing dogs could breed in their natural environment.
Comprehension Questions:
- How many singing dogs were found again in the wild after 50 years according to the article?
- How many singing dogs are in captivity?
- What is this dog breed known for?
- What does their howl sound like?
- When these dogs are in packs, how do they behave when they howl?
Discussion Questions:
- New Guinea Singing dogs’ howls are compared with the sounds made by humpback whales. What can you say about this?
- What can you say about the decreasing numbers of singing dogs in the wild?
- What animals are unique in your country?
- What is the difference between a pet and a wild animal?
- Do you think it is right to keep wild animals in a zoo? Please explain your answer.
[noun] — an organized journey for a particular purpose
The team prepared themselves for the expedition
[noun] — a plant, animal, or object that is related to one existing at a later point in time
These species share a common ancestor.
[noun] — in or relating to an area with mountains or hills
Their grandparents were born and raised in the highlands.
[adjective] — being the only existing one of its type or, more generally, unusual, or special in some way
Each person’s fingerprint is unique.
[noun] — the air, water, and land in or on which people, animals, and plants live
This environment is ideal for these crops.
This rare breed is famous for their howls that are similar to the sounds of humpback whales. According to San Diego Zoo, their howls sound like a yodel with the tones going up and down. If they are in packs, one dog starts singing and others join in at different pitches, each with its own unique voice. Scientists are looking forward that more singing dogs could breed in their natural environment.