Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Which wild animals are you familiar with?
- Do you think people and wild animals can live together in harmony? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- trigger /TRIG-er/
- scarce /skairs/
- surge /surj/
- necessity /nuh-SES-i-tee/
- sustainable /suh-STEY-nuh-buhl/
[verb] – to cause something to start
The smell of freshly baked cookies triggers happy childhood memories.
[adjective] – not easy to find or get
The natural disaster caused widespread damage to crops, making fresh produce scarce in the local markets.
[noun] – a sudden and great increase
The hospital saw a surge in patients during flu season, leading to longer wait times.
[noun] – the need for something
Food and shelter are considered necessities of life.
[adjective] – causing, or made in a way that causes, little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time
The government launched a campaign to promote sustainable transportation options, such as biking and public transit.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In southern Kenya, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has witnessed a concerning rise in human-wildlife conflict, leading to the killing of ten lions, with six of them being slain in a single day. The KWS spokesperson expressed alarm at this unusually high number of lion killings, following the recent death of Loonkiito, one of Africa’s oldest lions, who, due to hunger, strayed into a livestock pen and was subsequently killed by the owner. The organization Lion Guardians explained that the conclusion of a severe dry spell often triggers increased conflicts between humans and lions as wild prey becomes scarce, making livestock owners more vigilant.
The six lions responsible for the Saturday attacks had killed eleven goats and a dog. These incidents occurred within the Amboseli ecosystem in Kajiado County, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. In response to the conflict, the KWS convened a meeting involving local communities and government officials. The discussions revolved around strategies to minimize human-wildlife conflict, including the development of early warning systems and broader deliberations on community-wildlife coexistence, including benefit sharing. The recent surge in lion killings underscores the urgent necessity of addressing human-wildlife conflict in Kenya. Heightened awareness among communities regarding wildlife presence, along with support for conflict mitigation, must be prioritized. Moreover, sustainable approaches should be implemented to safeguard communities and wildlife.
The six lions responsible for the Saturday attacks had killed eleven goats and a dog. These incidents occurred within the Amboseli ecosystem in Kajiado County, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. In response to the conflict, the KWS convened a meeting involving local communities and government officials. The discussions revolved around strategies to minimize human-wildlife conflict, including the development of early warning systems and broader deliberations on community-wildlife coexistence, including benefit sharing. The recent surge in lion killings underscores the urgent necessity of addressing human-wildlife conflict in Kenya. Heightened awareness among communities regarding wildlife presence, along with support for conflict mitigation, must be prioritized. Moreover, sustainable approaches should be implemented to safeguard communities and wildlife.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What has been happening in southern Kenya, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)?
- How many lions were killed in total, and how many of them were killed in a single day?
- What happened to Loonkiito, one of Africa’s oldest lions?
- Why does the organization Lion Guardians believe conflicts between humans and lions increase after a severe dry spell?
- Why is it important to address human-wildlife conflict in Kenya, according to the passage?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How do you think the recent lion killings in southern Kenya impact the local community and the wildlife population?
- What are your thoughts on the actions of the livestock owner who killed Loonkiito, the lion that ventured into the livestock pen? Do you think there could have been a different way to handle the situation?
- Have you ever heard of or experienced human-wildlife conflict in your local area or country?
- Do you think there is a way to strike a balance between protecting the interests of local communities, such as livestock owners, and ensuring the conservation of endangered species like lions? How would you approach this challenge?
- If you were a member of the KWS or a conservation organization, what measures or initiatives would you propose to minimize human-wildlife conflict and promote coexistence?