Name ______________________________ Core _________ Date ________________________
Big Gorillas in Big Trouble
hundreds of pounds. They can look frightening when
they stand on their hind legs (though they usually walk
on all fours). Yet, these giants aren't hunters. They eat
mostly plant foods, such as leaves, shoots, fruit, bulbs,
bark, vines, and nettles. They also eat ants, termites,
worms, and insect larvae.
There are either four or five distinct types of
gorillas. (Scientists are still deciding whether one group
of gorillas is unique or part of another group.) Three of
those types are critically endangered. This means that
they could be extinct within just a few generations. A
fourth species is listed as endangered.
Gorillas face several threats to their survival. One
NAIROBI, Kenya The gorillas of central Africa
threat is the destruction of their forest habitat, which is
are in trouble. According to a new report, the animals
rich in valuable resources. In recent years, there has been
continue to face danger from illegal logging, mining, and
an increase in logging for timber that is mostly destined
hunting. Gorillas could become extinct from many areas
for Asia, particularly China. Mining of gold, diamonds,
within 15 years, the report concludes.
and minerals has also resulted in the destruction of the
The report, which comes from the United Nations
(UN) and the international police organization Interpol,
forests.
Other threats to gorillas include poaching,
is less hopeful than a report from 2002. The previous
disease, an increase in the human population (and the
report estimated that only 10 percent of gorillas existing
need for land), and local violence. Wars in particular
then would remain by 2030. The author of the 2002
have made the protection of gorillas extremely difficult.
report and of the newly released one said that the earlier
estimate was probably too high.
"We fear now that the gorillas may become
extinct from most parts of their range in perhaps 15
years," said Christian Nellemann of the UN
Environmental Program.
Gorillas are peaceful animals that want nothing
The report calls on governments to take action. It
recommends taking a close look at European and Asian
companies that may be involved in the illegal trade of
timber and minerals from central Africa.
"This is [a] tragedy for the great apes…being
impacted by this intensifying and all too often illegal
trade," said Achim Steiner of the UN Environmental
more than to be left alone. Depending on the species,
Programme. "In short, it is environmental crime and theft
gorillas inhabit rainforests in either lowlands or
by the few and the powerful at the expense of the poor
mountains. They live in groups of about 10, led by a
and [those that are easily harmed]."
large male called a "silverback." Gorillas can weigh
David Higgins, manager of the Interpol
"What we are worried about is that these gorillas
Environmental Crime Program, said it's not that there
are disappearing faster than we can…mobilize resources
aren't laws aimed at defending wildlife. There is
to save them," said Nellemann. He called for increased
legislation in place to protect gorillas. The problem is
resources for UNEP and Interpol to protect great apes.
that criminals just don't care. Therefore, he said, these
laws need to be more strictly enforced.
Dictionary
destined (adjective)
illegal (adjective)
impact (verb)
against the law
to affect
poaching (noun)
tragedy (noun)
on the road to
the act of hunting when it is against the law
a sad and terrible event
Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)
1. According to the article, what is the importance of more
strictly enforcing laws to protect gorillas?
A. Some criminals aren't afraid of gorillas, so more
needs to be done to show these people how
dangerous gorillas can be.
B. Only a few laws to protect wildlife have ever been
C. People who work for the Interpol Environmental
Crime Program will plant shrubs to replace the trees
that have been cut by loggers.
D. Some people will continue to work to protect the
gorillas and find a way to save a portion of the
remaining population.
created and enforced in the history of the world.
5. In the article, Achim Steiner states: "This is [a] tragedy
C. Only a few laws to protect and defend gorillas have
for the great apes…being impacted by this intensifying
ever been made public, so newspapers need to write
and all too often illegal trade. In short, it is
about them.
environmental crime and theft by the few and the
D. Some criminals ignore the laws, so more needs to be
done to stop them from harming gorillas.
2. The best alternate headline for this article would be
__________.
A. New Report Suggests African Gorilla Population Is
Holding Steady
B. Scientists Continue To Debate How Many Types of
Gorillas Exist
C. New Report Says That More Must Be Done To
Prevent Gorilla Extinction
D. African Gorillas Found To Be Large, Peace-Loving
Animals
3. Which is the closest synonym for the word tragedy?
A. Celebration
B. Compromise
powerful at the expense of the poor and [those that are
easily harmed]." Which would be the closest antonym for
the word intensifying?
A. Declining
B. Enduring
C. Mimicking
D. Invading
6. Think about the following statement made by Christian
Nellemann: "We fear now that the gorillas may become
extinct from most parts of their range in perhaps 15
years." The author's purpose for including this quote was
to __________.
A. Suggest that gorillas are doing well enough that they
should no longer be a concern among scientists
B. Suggest that the Interpol Environmental Crime
C. Disaster
Program does not have a good understanding of
D. Debut
gorillas' needs
4. Based on the article, which is most likely to happen?
A. Gorilla fans will meet with poachers to convince the
hunters to find animals that are more valuable for
them to hunt illegally.
B. Criminals will become frightened by the giant
gorillas and decide to hunt for smaller game.
C. Indicate how the earlier report was too brief to
count all of the gorillas accurately because they
move often from one range to another
D. Emphasize that the earlier report may have been
wrong, and show that the threat to gorillas is worse
than thought
7. This article is placed in a category of news called "World
Beat." In which other category would this article fit best?
A. Commerce Overseas
Environmental Program to protect gorillas.
C. Crime Prevention
C. David Higgins is the manager of the Interpol
D. Safari Getaways
Environmental Crime Program.
8. Which of these is most important to include in a
Opinion Question:
more than to be left alone.
B. Christian Nellemann works with of the UN
B. Animals in Peril
summary of this article?
A. Gorillas are peaceful animals that want nothing
D. Gorillas are in danger of becoming extinct in central
Africa in the next 15 years.
Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this
statement. Christian Nellemann wants more done to protect gorillas. Do you agree with him why or why not? (5
points)
Thought Question: Why do some people want to protect the gorillas in central Africa? Do you think this
effort is important? Explain. Use information from the article, as well as your own ideas, to support your response. (5
points)
Math- Giant gorillas live in the center of Africa. Let's say that you want to find the center of rectangle ABCD. Line
AD is parallel to line BC. Line AB is parallel to line CD. Which point marks the center of the rectangle?
Draw a picture.
A. The point where line AB crosses line CD
B. All of these
C. The point where line AD crosses line BC
D. The point where line AC crosses line BD