Australian State to Address Decreasing Koala Population

Category: Science/Environment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

  1. nurse / nɜrs / (v) – to take care of a sick person or animal
    Example:

    My mother nursed me back to health.


  2. roadkill / ˈrəʊdˌkɪl / (n) – animals killed after getting hit by vehicles
    Example:

    You can usually see roadkill on busy roads.


  3. execution / ˌɛk sɪˈkyu ʃən / (n) – the act of carrying out a task
    Example:

    She is responsible for the project’s planning, while I am responsible for its execution.


  4. oversee / ˌoʊ vərˈsi / (v) – to supervise an activity
    Example:

    The head of the environmental group oversees the content of each campaign.


  5. attainment / əˈteɪn mənt / (n) – the act of achieving something
    Example:

    Our team is working hard for the attainment of our long-term goals.


Article

Read the text below.

The state of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia has launched the NSW Koala Strategy to address its declining koala population.


The three-year plan aims to allocate US$34 million for the implementation of conservation efforts. This move was prompted by a 2016 assessment of the koala’s population that was spearheaded by Professor Mary O’Kane, NSW’s chief scientist.


Findings of the assessment showed that there has been a 26% decrease in the koala population over the past two decades. This decline is attributed to factors like habitat loss, dog attacks, diseases, car strikes, and climate change.


The conservation efforts will focus on creating natural habitats for koalas using around 25,000 hectares of state forest. The budget will also be used to build a koala hospital where sick or hurt koalas can be nursed. Having a primary wildlife rescue hotline for koalas in danger is also part of the strategy. Additionally, the plan aims to fix hazardous areas to avoid roadkill.


To ensure the action plans’ effectiveness, the NSW government will evaluate the strategy’s outcomes after the three-year execution. The succeeding actions will be adjusted based on the evaluation results.


In addition, the NSW government aims to involve the entire community in order to achieve the strategy’s objectives.


Thus, the government is urging the community members to take part in the conservation efforts by volunteering at national parks, joining organizations, and even becoming a wildlife caretaker. People in the community are also encouraged to become citizen scientists who will be responsible for overseeing the attainment of the action plans.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think involving the community in koala conservation initiatives is a good move? Why or why not?
• How else do you think the NSW government can save the declining koala population?

Discussion B

• Do you think your country’s government is actively implementing animal conservation efforts? Explain.
• Aside from the government, what other institutions should be involved in animal conservation efforts?