動物園存在的意義是什么？是供人游樂的休閑景點、救助和保護動物的機構還是科普大眾的場所？現代動物園對野生動物的生存是好還是壞？如今，動物園的環境與條件已與以往大不相同，許多動物園都稱其對動物和游客有益。本期節目圍繞動物園是否應該存在展開討論。

詞匯：animal conservation 動物保護

For many of us, our closest encounter with wild animals is at a zoo. These places allow us to observe the behaviours and characteristics of amazing creatures from big cats to tiny amphibians. It's an enjoyable and educational experience for us, but is it the best environment for the animals?

A long time ago, people could only see wild animals as stuffed dead exhibits in a museum. Later, live animals were captured by explorers, brought home and put on show to the public in menageries – animal welfare was not a priority. But modern zoos and wildlife parks have transformed the conditions and environments for animals, making bigger enclosures, removing bars, and, to some extent, mimicking their natural habitats.

Some people have questioned the cruelty of keeping animals captive and using them just for entertainment, but zoos are keen to show they are here to help wildlife by educating us about conservation. In the UK, the introduction of The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 also required zoos to educate the public. Well-managed zoos are now also involved in supporting and funding conservation programmes.

Probably the biggest claim from zoos today is that they help to protect species that are under threat in the wild due to climate change. Robert Young, Chair in Wildlife Conservation at Salford University says: "There are quite a lot of different species around the planet which we wouldn't have today if it wasn't for zoos." Some zoos have captive breeding programmes which help to preserve the future of species that would otherwise face extinction. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio recently praised Chester Zoo in the UK for its conservation work. It brought a "rare fish species back from the dead" after breeding and releasing a school of golden skiffia fish back into their native river.

While the debate about having zoos continues, new opportunities to meet wildlife are being explored, such as using virtual reality, and Jon Coe, a zoo designer, told the BBC: "Taking a walk through a herd of elephants in the Serengeti, I think, is going to be possible pretty soon."

詞匯表

encounter 不期而遇，偶然相遇
creature 動物，生物
big cat 大型貓科動物
amphibian 兩棲動物
environment 環境
stuffed （動物）制成標本的
menagerie （供私人收藏或公眾觀賞的）野生動物園
animal welfare 動物保護
wildlife park 野生動物園
enclosure 圍場
natural habitat 自然棲息地
captive 圈養的
conservation （動物）保護
fund 資助
species 物種
in the wild 在野生環境中
breeding （動物）繁殖，飼養
extinction 滅絕
golden skiffia 弗氏斯基法鳉
native 原地的，土生的
herd 獸群

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Before zoos, how did most people get to see a wild animal?

2. What have many zoos done to improve the environment for their animals?

3. How are zoos trying to help animals in the wild?

4. According to Robert Young, what might we not have if it wasn't for zoos?

5. True or false? Actor Leonardo DiCaprio recently released some rare golden skiffia fish back into their native river.

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. While on a country walk, I _______ a bull in a field, so I had to run!

stuffed                        herd                             encountered            native

2. It was great to see so many animals _______ when we went on a safari.

on the wild                  in the wild                    at the wild                in a wild

3. The black rhino is one of several animals that are facing _______.

extinction                    conservation                funding                    menageries

4. Elephants are _______ to Africa and Asia.

captive                        stuffed                         native                       conservation

5. The smell was coming from a _______ of cows on the nearby farm.

heard                          herds                           hurd                         herd

答案

1. 閱讀課文并回答問題。 

1. Before zoos, how did most people get to see a wild animal?
A long time ago, people could only see wild animals as stuffed dead exhibits in a museum. Later on, live animals could be seen in menageries.

2. What have many zoos done to improve the environment for their animals?
Many modern zoos have made enclosures bigger, removed bars, and to some extent, tried to mimic the animal's natural habitats.

3. How are zoos trying to help animals in the wild?
Some zoos have captive breeding programmes which help to preserve the future of species that would otherwise face extinction.

4. According to Robert Young, what might we not have if it wasn't for zoos?
Robert Young says "there are quite a lot of different species around the planet, which we wouldn't have today if it wasn't for zoos."

5. True or false? Actor Leonardo DiCaprio recently released some rare golden skiffia fish back into their native river.
False. He recently praised Chester Zoo for its work for breeding and releasing a school of rare golden skiffia fish back into the river.

2.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. While on a country walk, I encountered a bull in a field, so I had to run!

2. It was great to see so many animals in the wild when we went on a safari.

3. The black rhino is one of several animals that are facing extinction.

4. Elephants are native to Africa and Asia.

5. The smell was coming from a herd of cows on the nearby farm.