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Endangered Big Cats: Conservation Around the World

In Endangered Big Cats: Conservation Around the World, host Simon Reeve visits two conservationists in Russia and Namibia who are tirelessly working to protect Amur tigers and cheetahs. This video is excerpted from BBC's Incredible Journeys With Simon Reeve, a series that highlights one journalist’s travels across the globe and the diverse cultures and peoples he meets along the way.
Advisory: Contains language which some may find offensive.
Video Details
Location:
Siberia and Namibia
Grades:
6-89-12
Program:
Incredible Journeys With Simon Reeve
Time:
5:45
Subject:
Science
Topic:
Life Science

Lesson Express

Q: Name some of the sights and sounds that indicated tigers were in the area.
A: Simon and Alexander encountered massive footprints, tiger scat, and the sound of crows, indicating the tiger had made a kill and was still eating it.

Q: How are the conservation strategies in Siberia and Namibia similar? How are they different?
A: The strategies of both are to raise awareness of the big cats and to protect the land so the animals continue to have an undisturbed habitat. In Namibia, Olivier helped to raise the cheetahs after their mother was killed, but in Siberia, the tigers have no intentional interaction with humans. Olivier supports tourism and safaris to encourage appreciation for wildlife, but there are no tourism trips in Siberia.

Q: Although there are laws about hunting these big cats, Simon refers to a more indirect threat to their survival. What can governments and their citizens do to preserve their habitats from development?
A: Student responses will vary. Governments can pass laws that limit development and industrialization near conservation areas. They can also map out more parks and reserves, using entrance fees to support the funding of these areas. They can rely on information from biologists to understand what these animals need to thrive. Governments and individuals can also raise awareness about these species through educational programs.

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