Chapter

Part 1

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While koalas may be thought of as cute by almost everyone, they're more than just a so-called pretty face, especially when considering Australia's economy. According to data from a study conducted on behalf of the Australian Koala Foundation, koalas generate a half a billion U.S. dollars in revenue for Australia every year through tourism and marketing, thereby contributing significantly to the country's economy. Some theorise that one way to save the koala may be to combine tourism and conservation. This has been successfully done at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, to the obvious delight of its visitors. The sanctuary has managed to create an environment which gives visitors a chance to see koalas up close, while creating revenue which helps to save them. Tourists who come to Lone Pine not only get a chance to see koalas, they can also get a chance to cuddle one. For foreign tourists who have never had the chance to be so close to a koala, the opportunity can be irresistible. As they take tours and listen to lectures about the koala, one can see the intense interest in their eyes. Then finally, they get their big chance when one of the sanctuary employees announces, Welcome to Lone Pine! Do you want to come through and hold my koala? The visitors can later have their picture taken with one of the beautiful little creatures.

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Quiz · choose one option per question

Choose the correct answer.

1.What does the study by the Australian Koala Foundation show about koalas?

Koalas are becoming too expensive for Australia to protect.Koalas bring Australia about half a billion U.S. dollars a year through tourism and marketing.Most tourists leave sanctuaries disappointed because they cannot cuddle a koala.

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Speaking · record your answer

Some people say wild animals should never be kept in zoos or sanctuaries, even when tourism helps protect them. What's your opinion?

USEFUL PHRASES

In my opinion... / I believe...

sanctuary, tourism, protect, revenue

...because...

Choose how long you'd like to speak (about 1 min is a good length).

Part 2

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Ensuring the future of the koala is an important task for the country of Australia. The Australian Koala Foundation estimates that the koala population has declined from at least 10 million koalas over 200 years ago to no more than 100,000 koalas in recent times. This rapid decrease in koala population is one of the primary reasons why the Foundation is so determined to make the National Koala Act a reality. Luckily, it seems that the cuteness of the koala might be the factor that saves it in the end. For some, the appeal of such a cute and cuddly little animal could motivate them to make the changes needed in order to save it. However, if the thought of losing such a creature doesn't give people the incentive to help it, saving the koalas could be a cause for lost hope. After her visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Val Thompson makes a point when she says, I think the world without the koala would be a bit sad, because if you can't save the koala, who can you save?

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Quiz · choose one option per question

Choose the correct answer.

1.Why is the Australian Koala Foundation so determined to make the National Koala Act a reality?

Because koala numbers have fallen from millions to around 100,000.Because the government has refused to pass any laws about animals.Because sanctuaries like Lone Pine cannot survive without new laws.

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Speaking · record your answer

Why do you think it matters whether we save animals like the koala? Give your reasons.

USEFUL PHRASES

I think it matters because...

save, disappear, future generations, nature

Choose how long you'd like to speak (about 1 min is a good length).

Part 3

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New South Wales, March 8th. Koalas, with their cute, expressive faces and gentle behaviour, are a favourite of animal lovers all over the world. They exist only in Australia, and in the early 1900s, a demand for coats made from the soft grey fur of these animals threatened to destroy the entire species. In the 1930s, the Australian government passed legislation to protect the animals, but that didn't solve the problem. Since then, the clearing of land for development has displaced large numbers of koalas and resulted in an even greater threat to the survival of the species. Luckily, as urban development continues to spread, some Australian construction companies are trying to find ways to balance the issues. They are working to create new housing for humans while giving priority to protecting the habitat of the koalas. The developers of Koala Beach Estates, on the north coast of New South Wales, have managed to do just that. They've been able to follow the dictates of an ecologically sensitive building program while also providing an attractive living environment for people. Work on the project began in 1993 with a thorough survey of the local koala population. First, a researcher for the Australian Koala Foundation fitted koalas in the area with radio transmitters. The information gathered by the researcher showed which koalas were permanent residents and which were visitors, and also which areas of the proposed development, even which specific trees, were used by the koalas. As a result of this study, the entire housing development was designed around the koalas' habitats. Other koala-friendly components were included at Koala Beach Estates. Dogs and cats were banned from the development because they sometimes kill koalas. Planners also provided traffic calming elements such as speed prevention methods and warning signs to protect the animals from cars. Since koalas have favourite paths between food trees, all fences were raised 30 centimetres above the ground to allow them to pass easily underneath. Ropes were placed in swimming pools so koalas could climb out if they fell in. An enormous amount of careful planning went into the project, which resulted in a pleasant coincidence. Twenty-five other rare or endangered species, including bats, frogs, and birds, ultimately chose Koala Beach as their home. This bonus has increased homeowners' excitement over this outstanding, wildlife-friendly community even more than expected.

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Quiz · choose one option per question

Choose the correct answer.

1.What did the developers of Koala Beach Estates do to protect koalas?

They moved all the koalas in the area to a special sanctuary.They banned all people from visiting the development.They designed the whole development so koalas could live there safely.

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Speaking · record your answer

Would you like to live in a wildlife-friendly community like Koala Beach? Why or why not?

USEFUL PHRASES

I would love to... / I wouldn't want to...

wildlife-friendly, nature, convenient, safe

...because...

Choose how long you'd like to speak (about 1 min is a good length).

English for R&Dcourse

English for R&Dcourse

English for R&Dcourse

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