If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.
If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the text.
The vocabulary list is now first, so that you can check the meanings of the words before you listen.
Vocabulary
announce – to officially tell people something, especially a plan or decision
species – a group of animals or plants which are similar and can have young animals or plants
predator – an animal that hunts other animals
extinction – when a particular type of animal or plant stops existing
humanely – in a way that is not cruel and causes as little suffering as possible
microchip – a very small piece of equipment, often used in computers and machines
ballot – in this context, a ballot is like a draw, when something is chosen by chance
compulsory – if something is compulsory, you must do it because of a law or rule
Native creatures (visit this page on the Department of Conservation website for photos of these creatures):
bat – a small animal with wings that flies around at night
lizard – a type of reptile with four legs and a long tail
frog – a small green or brown animal that lives near water and has long legs for jumping
wētā – a large insect with no wings, a bit like a grasshopper
Pest animals (visit this page on the Department of Conservation website for photos of these animals):
possum – a small furry animal which climbs trees
stoat – a small wild animal that has a long thin body and brown fur
ferret – a small animal with a pointed nose, used to hunt rats and rabbits
weasel – a small thin furry animal
Try these activities while listening
1. Listening for main ideas
First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?
2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:
- What are feral cats?
- How many feral cats might there be in New Zealand?
- When was Predator Free 2050 established?
- What is the goal of Predator Free 2050?
- How many NZ species are at risk of extinction?
- What can Predator Free groups develop now?
- What will there be research into?
- Why do many pet cats have a microchip under the skin?
News story
On 20 November, the Government announced that feral cats will be added to the list of target species for Predator Free 2050.
Feral cats are wild cats which survive by themselves, with no help from people. The number of feral cats is unknown, but estimates range from 2.4 million to 8 million. They are found on farms and in forests. They pose a serious threat to our native species, such as birds, bats, lizards, frogs, and even insects such as wētā.
Predator Free 2050 was established in 2016, and as the name suggests, the goal is to eliminate predators in New Zealand by 2050. Predators include rats, possums, stoats, ferrets and weasels. These animals were introduced to New Zealand and eat a lot of our native species, and consequently, many of our birds, bats, lizards and frogs are in serious trouble. One in three of all New Zealand’s species are at risk of extinction. If we do not control the predators, these species will die out.
Now, feral cats will be included as a predator to be controlled. This means that Predator Free groups can develop projects to target these cats, and there will be research into methods and technology to kill them humanely. Organisations which look after our native species are very pleased about this, because they say feral cats kill so many birds every year.
Many New Zealanders have a cat as a pet at home. These domestic pets are not part of the Predator Free target. Many pet cats have a microchip under the skin at the top of their back, between the shoulder blades, so that if they get lost, their owner can be identified. Currently, microchipping is only encouraged, but some Members of Parliament have a member’s bill in the ballot which would make it compulsory.
Answers – you don’t have to write a complete sentence as long as you have the key idea in your answer.
a. What are feral cats?
Wild cats which survive by themselves, with no help from people
b. How many feral cats might there be in New Zealand?
Estimates range from 2.4 million to 8 million
c. When was Predator Free 2050 established?
In 2016
d. What is the goal of Predator Free 2050?
To eliminate predators in New Zealand by 2050
e. How many NZ species are at risk of extinction?
One in three
f. What can Predator Free groups develop now?
Projects to target these cats
g. What will there be research into?
Methods and technology to kill them humanely
h. Why do many pet cats have a microchip under the skin?
So that if they get lost, their owner can be identified.