6 Minute English - Saving China's elephants

In this program. we are going to be talking about endangered species, particularly elephants in China. So let's start with a question, Neil. Do you know how many elephants are still living in the wild in China. Is it
(a) fewer than 15000
(b) fewer than 1000
(c) fewer than 300

I don't know. But I am going to have a guess. And say b fewer than 1000.

Ok, we'll know if you are right or wrong at the end of the programme.

So Rob have you ever come across any animals or species which are under threat in your travels?

Yes, I have. I went to Australia few years ago and I saw some turtles on the beach laying their eggs. And they are very rare, are they?

Yes, they are very rare. I've always want to see them but I have not had a chance. I was lucky enough to see a panda when I was in China once there they are threateninged in extinction ,too of course.


The sad thing is Yes, but we all know this things, Neil. These animals are in endanger largely because of the activities of human beings. There are is also all sorts of the reason why that is this happening.

Yes, it is actually very upsetting. And It could easily be prevented with people thought it be a bit harder about the impact their life lives make on may come wild animals. Take first those sea turtle you are were talking about for instance,  they are on the under threat for also all sorts of the reason over-fishing, being on one of them.

Then they are the very various species rhinoceros which could disappear in a few years' time. Again people pouch poach this creatures. Pouch Poach means hunting illegally because their home horns are used for mordancy medicinal proposes. And of course in country areas, miles of from civilizations is almost impossible to keep a track check on illegal killings.

It really make me you think, does it Rob?

Actually it's not that simple Neil. Human beings are also on the under pressure and off often have the strong argument in favor of that their actions. This Chinese farmer explains. He uses a this expression, that means arrived, can you tell me what it is?

There are too many elephants around here. We used to grow sugar cane but then the elephant started  stop to showing up and ate it all. So we gave up growing it. There was barely anything we can grow. No matter what we planing it, there is nothing to have harvest. Now we grow rubber, that the only thing they don't eat.

He says showing up, this means the elephants arrived.

And he said he gave up growing it.  this means they stop growing it.

The apply plight to of the Asian elephants in China makes pretty bleed bleak picture I must say. I understand they are victims and also of all sorts of abuse.

Yes, experts say the numbers of the decline by 15 percent in the last 75 years. Poaching is one reason why. They are hunted it not for its tooth their tusks that happens to the large Africa elephants. but for their skins, to make them live leather good and for their meats.

They are also losing their habitats that is the place where they live, because of the growth in the number of the plantations. Particularly Rubber, but also other cash crops. These agriculture mono-culture as they are called, spell death of for the elephant's lifestyle. Logging or deforestation in which whole forest are destroyed, also add to their problems.

What's more in some places may their migratory the root routines have been cut off by human population, living in newly established villages. And In a more general sense, just extending human population is forcing melting them out of their the natural environment.

There is not another very unpleasant way in which the these creatures are suffering, Rob. Many of the young elephants are taking away from their heart the herd and are turned into performing circus animals for tourist.

No really, Neil.

Yes, I hate it hear Sometimes nails  are driven into their feet. Their they are deprived of sleep, food and water has . That is to make them easy to train.

OK, that's sounds so cool cruel. But people are trying to improve the situation, Neil. For example, there is a real rehabilitation program, that's a skin scheme, to bring them back to normal life, which rescues elephants in at risky and gives them protection with a special sanitation sanctuary. Then there are some people who are trying to get people to get the farmers to work in different way. Let listen to the forestry policeman. He uses a expression to describe the way people farm the land. Can you tell me what it is.

That It makes me sad. I want people to know they shouldn't cut down the forest. There are consequences if they do. I want them to change the farmer practice, to change and how they make a living. we could become the tourist destination.  People can make money from that them.

He said farming practices, means the way people farm the land. And he said make a living. This refer to people earning enough money in order to survive. So let hope the elephants still living in the wild in China, can be saved.