Cane toads

  1. Discuss the main issues in the BtN story with another student.
  2. Why are cane toads a pest?
  3. What are a group of school kids in Darwin doing to get rid of cane toads?
  4. How many years ago were cane toads introduced?
  5. Why were they introduced to Australia?
  6. What impact do they have on native animals?
  7. Approximately how many cane toads do scientists think there are in Australia?
  8. How do meat ants help control cane toad numbers?
  9. Why do meat ants attack baby cane toads and not other animals?
  10. Apart from cane toads, what other introduced species have become pests in Australia?

Create a facts sheet about cane toads including information about when and why they were introduced and the impact they have on native animals.

Frogwatch – Toad busters

Northern Territory Government – Cane Toads

Australian Museum – Cane Toads

National Geographic – Cane Toads

Rabbit Scan

  1. In your own words, describe what a feral animal is.
  2. What damage do rabbits cause?
  3. What are the two reasons for rabbits having a huge impact on the environment?
  4. Why were they introduced when Europeans settled Australia?
  5. What methods have been used in the past to get rid of rabbits?
  6. How are kids getting involved in the war against rabbits?
  7. What is `rabbit scan’ trying to achieve?
  8. Why do rabbits eat their poo?
  9. How are the kids helping scientists with their research?
  10. Name three facts you learnt in the BtN rabbit scan story.

Create a plus, minus and interesting chart about rabbits.

ABC Landline Rabbit scan story

Rabbit scan – What is Rabbit scan?

Rabbit scan – Teachers guide

Feral cats

  1. Summarise the BtN story in a paragraph.
  2. Where in Australia are sea birds threatened by feral cats?
  3. What are they doing to control the feral cat population?
  4. Apart from setting traps, what else is Harko doing to fight the feral cat problem?
  5. What impact do feral cats have on the environment?
  6. What do you think responsible cat ownership involves?
  7. What are some solutions to controlling the feral cat problem?
  8. What strategies are governments thinking about introducing to control the problem?
  9. What do you think should happen next?
  10. Predict what might happen if feral cats aren’t controlled.

ABC News - Calls for action on feral cats

ABC News – Council’s concerns over cat plan

Department of Primary Industries – Feral cats

Feral cat fact sheet

Department of Primary Industries – Pest patrol activity book

Cat Protection Society of NSW – Responsible cat ownership

Kangaroo cull

  1. What is culling?
  2. Where is the cull going to take place?
  3. Is culling kangaroos the same as culling elephants? Why or why not?
  4. How many kangaroos are they going to cull?
  5. Why are there too many kangaroos in the Defence Force base?
  6. What impact are the kangaroos having on the environment in the area?
  7. What are protesters and wildlife groups suggesting should happen to the kangaroos?
  8. Why is the RSPCA supporting the cull?
  9. What do some Japanese people think about culling kangaroos?
  10. Do you believe it is the same as killing whales? Why or why not?

Government response to cull

RSPCA supports cull

Kangaroo cull hurting RSPCA donations

Protesters rally against kangaroo cull

RSPCA kangaroo code review

Animal ID

Animal recognition technology has been developed to help farmers control some introduced and native animals.

Focus Questions

  1. What was the main point of the story?
  2. Describe how a bore works.
  3. What happened to animal populations when underground water was discovered?
  4. What environmental impact did this have?
  5. What is animal recognition technology?
  6. How does a blue screen work?
  7. How it is being used to control animals?
  8. Describe the success of the project.
  9. Are there any negative aspects of the technology?
  10. Is there another solution to the problem? Explain your answer.

What is the impact?

After watching the BtN story about animal recognition technology, ask students to brainstorm what they know about the impact of some native and introduced animals on the environment. Students will then investigate an animal of concern and create an electronic text with the information. A possible structure for their investigation could be:

  • A brief description of the animal
  • What damage to the environment has the animal caused?
  • What are the financial costs?
  • What strategies are used to control or eradicate the animal?
  • Are these strategies effective?
  • Predict what might happen if the animal isn’t controlled.

Discuss with students possible sources for collecting information including relevant organisations and the Internet.

Students will create an electronic text to demonstrate their understanding of the issues. Possibilities include:

  • Using photographs to explain the issues
  • PowerPoint presentation
  • Animation
  • Web page

Develop a rubric

Negotiate with students what the assessment criteria will be for this investigation. Create a rubric using templates at the following website:

Further investigations

Create a timeline showing when non-native animals were introduced in Australia.

Make a game that teaches people about the environmental impact of some introduced and native animals.

Show on a map of Australia where there has been control or eradication of introduced or native animals.

Related Research Links
ABC News – Candid camera

University of Queensland – Animal recognition technology

ABC The New Inventors – Animal recognition invention

Department of Environment – Feral animals in Australia

Questacon – Information about introduced species

Nova Science website – Australia’s threatened species

Elephant Culling

Curriculum Outcome Links: Society and Environment/HSIE DATE 4/03/08

Subject: Animal culling

Student learning outcomes

Students will:

  • Develop an understanding of what culling is and why it occurs.
  • Understand different perspectives regarding the issue of culling.
Focus Questions
  1. Why were elephants shot last century?
  2. What year was there a worldwide ban on ivory trading?
  3. How many elephants live in KrugerNational Park in South Africa?
  4. What is culling?
  5. Why do authorities want to resume elephant culling?
  6. Why do some people believe this is wrong?
  7. What are some alternatives to culling?
  8. What might be some of the issues with using some of these alternatives?
  9. Describe what you know about culling or plans to cull animals in Australia.
  10. What do park rangers believe are threatened because of elephant over population?
To cull or not to cull…
  1. In small groups, research the reasons for culling animals. Topics to explore could include:
  • Economic
  • Cultural
  • Environmental.
  1. Develop a case for or against animal culling stating the reasons why you believe it should or shouldn’t happen.
  1. Present your case to the class. Consider how you will present the information. Some suggestions include:
  2. A formal class debate
  3. Powerpoint presentation
  4. Role play
  5. Using graphic organisers (Inspiration software)

4. Tell us what you think about the issue on the Behind the News Guestbook

Knowing
What do you now know about culling that you didn’t know before?
Understanding
Research animal culling in Australia. Show on a map areas that have either culled or are planning to cull animals. Show graphically what the animals are and the reasons for doing it.
Applying
Design an leaflet or poster for an animal rights group or a pro culling group advertising your point of view.
Analysing
Do you think the type of animal being culled affects how people feel about the act of culling?
Creating
Create an art work or cartoon based on the topic of animal culling.
Evaluating
Tally the number of people in your class or other classes that are for or against culling. Do you think this represents societies view? Why or why not?

 Related Research Links