Exercise 2

Read the following text about four top wildlife conservation holidays (A-D), and then answer the questions on the
opposite page

A Sumatran tigers SUMATRA INDONESIA

This holiday focuses on the Sumatran tiger. Volunteers are based in the Rimbang Baling Wildlife
Reserve where they explore, set camera-traps, and look for tracks, kills, scats and the animals
themselves. You work with local people to create incentives for tiger conservation in an effort to
mitigate human–wildlife conflict and ensure the survival of this amazing big cat. CONSERVATION
VALUE: Well-managed areas with effective tiger patrols where local communities benefit from the
presence of tigers.

B Jaguar conservation COSTA RICA

This project is based in the Tortuguero National Park, surrounded by protected rainforest and the
Caribbean Sea. Volunteers search for signs of jaguars and their prey species, monitor feeding behavior
and population numbers, use remote cameras to identify individuals and plot their range. Surveys are
also made of the 26km turtle nesting beach, because jaguars regularly hunt here. This creates a
dilemma for naturalists at Tortuguero because jaguars have learnt to prey on the endangered green
turtle. CONSERVATION VALUE: Data is used by the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment to develop
conservation policies.

C Tracking dolphins ADRIATIC SEA SLOVENIA

Each morning volunteers split into two groups – one heads out on the boat and the other staffs an
observation point on land. Both teams observe dolphins and in the afternoon trade stations. You get
to interact with dolphins, scan the sea for these intelligent creatures and document numbers, GPS
location, size and behaviour (such as feeding or travelling). Environmental data is gathered at sea, and
dolphins are photographed and identified from dorsal-fin markings. CONSERVATION VALUE:
Making the Adriatic Sea safer for the recently discovered resident dolphin population.

D Reef surveys and community MADAGASCAR

Based in Andavadoaka, south-west Madagascar, this marine project integrates scientific research with
support for coastal communities with sea-cucumber and seaweed-farming initiatives; environmental
education for local children; and reproductive health services for adults. Volunteers dive five days a
week on the Indian Ocean’s most extensive coral reefs recording fish and benthic transect data, and
surveying new reef sites. There is an intensive two-week scientific-training programme and PADI
training if necessary. CONSERVATION VALUE: Protecting biodiversity and benefiting coastal people
so that they become conservation champions
Which holiday project

a) ensures the wellbeing of local people while protecting the variedness of wildlife. [ ]

b) aims to conserve a species which famously takes the name of its locality [ ]

c) hopes to empower local people through education to preserve species of animals. [ ]

d) focuses on making a particular habitat friendlier for its new inhabitant. [ ]

e) presents a difficult choice between conserving two critical species. [ ]

f) focuses on ensuring peaceful co-existence between people and a species of animal. [ ]

g) identifies the size of the focus animal’s territory. [ ]

h) emphasizes the importance of monitoring the habitat of an animal for its conservation. [ ]

i) goes beyond protecting just one or two species of animals. [ ]

j) allows volunteers an intuitive experience with a species of animal. [ ]

 Answer Key

a) ensures the wellbeing of local people while protecting the variedness of wildlife. [D]

b) Aims to conserve a species which famously takes the name of its locality [A]

c) hopes to empower local people through education to preserve species of animals. [D]

d) Focuses on making a particular habitat friendlier for its new inhabitant. [C]

e) Presents a difficult choice between conserving two critical species. [B]

f) Focuses on ensuring peaceful co-existence between people and a species of animal. [A]

g) Identifies the size of the focus animal’s territory. [B]

h) Emphasizes the importance of monitoring the habitat of an animal for its conservation. [A]

i) Goes beyond protecting just one or two species of animals. [D]

j) Allows volunteers an intuitive experience with a species of animal. [C]