Endangered rhino born in Czech zoo, named Kyiv

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Category: Science/Environment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. resistance / rɪˈzɪs təns / (n.) – the act of fighting back against the attack of a person or group
    Example:

    The military continues to show strong resistance against their enemies, even if they have very limited resources left.


  2. occurrence / əˈkɜr əns / (n.) – the fact of something existing or happening
    Example:

    Crime was a usual occurrence here before more streetlights were installed.


  3. subspecies / ˈsʌbˌspi ʃiz / (n.) – a category of plants or animals that have slightly different characteristics from other types of the same species
    Example:

    Among the nine tiger subspecies are Siberian tigers, Sumatran tigers, and Bengal tigers.


  4. poaching / ˈpoʊ tʃɪŋ / (n.) – the illegal practice of killing animals, especially those that are protected or are found on someone else’s property
    Example:

    The police arrested several men for animal poaching.


  5. the wild / ðə waɪld / (n.) – a place where plants and animals freely grow and live together, where people don’t usually visit or live in
    Example:

    Wildlife centers usually take care of injured animals, then release them back to the wild as soon as they recover.


Article

Read the text below.

A Czech zoo has welcomed a critically endangered eastern black rhinoceros baby that has taken the name of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv in honor of that country’s resistance to invading Russian forces.


The rhino was born early on March 4 in the Dvur Kralove zoo, a rare occurrence for the facility even if it has the most rhinos belonging to the subspecies.


“The name is another expression of our support for the Ukrainian heroes,” zoo Director Premysl Rabas said.


Kyiv’s mother Eva has been taking care of him in a best possible way, the zoo said, with the baby gaining 1 kilogram (2.20 pounds) a day. It currently weighs about 50 kilograms (110 pounds).


Poaching has reduced the number of the eastern black rhinos living in the wild to around 800. The Czech park has 14.


Only three other such rhinos have been born in other zoos around the world in the last year.


A total of 47 eastern black rhinos have been born in Dvur Kralove since the park received the first one in 1971. Many of them are now in various zoos around the globe but nine have been returned to Rwanda and Tanzania to live in the wild.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The eastern black rhino was named after Ukraine’s capital as an expression of support for Ukrainian heroes. Do you think support like this can make a huge impact in Ukraine’s fight against Russian invaders? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In what other ways can people show their support for soldiers fighting in the war (ex. donating to victims of the war, creating art)? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • What can people do to stop animal poaching (ex. spread awareness, strictly ban products like fur or ivory)? Why? Discuss.
  • Nine eastern black rhinos have been returned to Rwanda and Tanzania to live in the wild. Do you think it’s a good decision to let endangered animals live in the wild even if there are possible threats like poaching? Why or why not? Discuss.