Activity 1:Predator Free 2050 – A Call to Arms
There is currently a huge drive to get rid of all predators from New Zealand. Predators are animals that, in some way, damage our natural environment. Many organisations are working hard to accomplish this goal.
Click on the links below to watch videos about three of the current projects operating to make New Zealand ‘Predator Free by 2050.’
Predator Free Video #1: Cacophony Project
Predator Free Video #2: Taranaki Mounga Project
Predator Free Video #3: Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP)
On your blog, tell us which one of the videos you liked the best and why..
I Liked Predator Free Video #1 Cacophony Project Because It Is About A Person That Only Catches Predators Not Other Animals
Activity 2:Protecting the Most Vulnerable - Fact or Fiction?
Here in New Zealand we have a native dolphin, the Māui Dolphin, that is on the verge of extinction (disappearing forever). As of this year, there are only 63 Māui dolphins left and people predict that they will be extinct by 2033. Environmentalists and activists, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), are working hard to save the dolphin because it is such a special and unique animal. To learn more about the Māui Dolphin, please follow this link. If you would like to sign a petition from the WWF encouraging the New Zealand government to take action to save the Maui Dolphin, please follow this link.
Once you have learned more about this unique dolphin, it is time for you to share your learning with us.
On your blog, post three facts that you learned about the Māui Dolphin. Then, using your imagination, create three more statements about Māui dolphins that are not true (i.e. false). Please don’t tell us which of your statements about Māui Dolphins are true and which are false. It will be the job of the students and staff who read your blog to figure it out.
1. Is The Rarest and smallest known Subspecies of dolphin
2. They Can Swim Upside Down
3. They Are Only Found New Zealand's North Islands
4. The word "Māui" in the dolphin's name comes from Te Ika-a-Māui, the Māori name for New Zealand's North Island.
5. They Can Talk To Each Other By Moving Their Finns
6. They Can Act Dead
Bonus Activity: The Power Of Ten
Sir David Attenborough is a famous TV presenter from England who loves nature and the natural world. He has spent his career filming documentaries about the planet and working hard to protect it. In a recent interview, Sir David was asked to reflect on all that he had learned and to imagine that he had suddenly been given the power to save 10 animals and/or plants from extinction (disappearing forever).
After thinking about the question, he listed these 10 species (animals/plants):
1. Black Lion Tamarin
2. Sumatran Rhino
3. Solenodon
4. Olm Salamander
5. Spatuletail Hummingbird
6. Darwin’s Frog
7. Sunda pangolin
8. Priam’s Birding Butterfly
9. Northern Quoll
10. Venus’s Flower Basket
Let’s imagine that you had the same power and that you could save 10 species (animals or plants) from extinction. Who would you save? If I had the choice I would probably save animals like the elephant, white tiger and rhinoceros because they are unique and have lived for centuries on earth. I would also like to save some of my favourite flowers including hydrangeas and calla lily flowers. What about you?
On your blog, list 10 species (animals or plants) that you would protect from extinction. For each one, give a reason as to why you think it is important to protect.
1. Breeds Of Lions: I Think They Should Be Saved Because They Take Away Threats In The Wild Life And They Are Awesome To Look At
2. Breeds Of Tigers: I Think They Should Be Saved Because The Same Reason And The Lions
3. Venus Flytraps: I Think They Should Be Saved Because Eat The Flies So They Don't Annoy Us
4. Giraffes: I Think They Should Be Saved Because People Just Kill Them For Their Tails
5. Cats: I Think They Should Be Saved Because They Keep The Mice Away From Our Homes
6. Cheetahs: I Think They Should Be Saved Because They Can Eat The That Can Hurt Us
7. Gorillas: I Think They Should Be Saved Because Poachers Are Always Trying To Kill Them For Things On Their Body
8. Dogs: I Think They Should Be Saved Because They Can Protect Us From Robbers And For All The Love They Give Us And To Keep Them Safe From People That Use Them For Dog Fighting
9. Breeds Of Moneys:I Think They Should Be Saved Because They Can Also Keep Us Away From Predators And They Are Funny To Watch
10. Pandas:I Think They Should Be Saved Because They Are Already Come To Extinction especially The Giant Pandas
Mōrena Nici,
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy over the weekend, haven't you? :) Well done on completing another days worth of activities.
I just watched the Cacophony video; how clever! It's great to see that there are people in our country coming up with more efficient, and environmentally friendly, ways to eradicate (get rid of) pests.
My family have land up north (where I'm from) that is surrounded by bush. When I was younger, my dad used to take us out to help him set the possum traps. They weren't nearly as sophisticated as these ones though.
Great work on the Maui Dolphin facts! I'm really struggling to pick which ones aren't true! I'm almost certain that number five is false, as I know they communicate using clicking noises.
Have you seen Maui Dolphins before? When I was in the Bay of Islands over Christmas and New Years, my friends and I went out on a boat and we saw dolphins! They weren't Maui but there were lots of little babies which was pretty special. :)
You've chosen a wonderful variety of animals and plants to save Nici. I agree with your reasoning for wanting to save the Venus Flytrap, especially at this time of the year - there's so many pesky flies around! I really like how you've thought about animals that die due to human action as well.
Another great blog post Nici, well done! Keep up the great work.
Mikey :)