Group discussion english 3 topic ways to protect endangered species

Wild animals are common forest animals as well as animals on the endangered and valuable species list.. Wildlife conservation is the practice of carrying out efforts that try to save wil

THUONGMAT UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF ENGLISH

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GROUP DISCUSSION ENGLISH 3

Topic: Ways to protect endangered species Group: 05

Teacher: Mai Tuyet Nhung

Ha Noi, 25" September

MEMBER

Concept Role

Cause

Conclusion

4 Chu Si Son Protect Solution | Good

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Introduction

Introduction Through a long history of evolution, each species has become

adapted to fit into a particular ecological niche When things change beyond a

certain limit, some species no longer prosper, and their numbers decline until

they become at risk

There are many, often complex and interrelated, reasons why certain species

decline and become at risk Various outside forces (factors in a species!

environment)mfluence how well a species can survive In addition, more subtle

internal forces, such as the specific biological requirements of a species and its

ability to adapt to change,determine whether and how well a species can cope

with the outside changes in its environment

One of endangered species is Sao la, also known as the "Asian Unicorn", is one

of the world's most unique mammals living in the Truong Son mountain range

in Vietnam and Laos, discovered by scientists in 1992 Sao la is classified as

critically endangered in the Red Book of the World Conservation Union and in

the Vietnam Red Book

Through this discussion, I would like to convey the message about the

importance of protecting the Sao La I will present the causes of the decline in

the number of Sao La and propose some feasible solutions to conserve this

species

1 Concept

Wild animals are common forest animals as well as animals on the

endangered and valuable species list

Wildlife conservation is the practice of carrying out efforts that try to save wild creatures from extinction and protect their habitat

2 Role

Vietnam has a high level of biodiversity in both flora and animals

However, illegal trade and killing have destroyed habitats and several wild

animals haven’t been discovered or are extremely rare As a result, to maintain

a stable environment, our country's and the world's governments always

prioritize the conservation of wild animals So what is the role of wildlife

protection?

First of all, protecting wildlife helps preserve ecosystems, balancing

human and animal habitats The extinction of one species will set off a chain

reaction that will harm many other species Some species, in particular, are

significant in measuring the quality of the environment, such as animals

capable of alarming climate change If They become extinct, they can disrupt

the balance of the environment and other human nature monitoring operations

Secondly, wildlife protection also contributes to the economic value of

the country and the area where the animal species are found According to the

World Wildlife Fund, many types of animals, such as Sao La, birds, pangolins,

star deer, etc., are the fastest growing and most profitable outdoor recreational

animals The implementation of conservation activities to maintain the species

of these wild animals is the only way to maximize their economic value

without harming them

Additionally, protecting wildlife helps preserve antimicrobials, valuable substances derived from wild animals used in the medical sector New

forms of molecules that have only recently been identified and are currently

being studied are present in the bodies of many animals Therefore, it is crucial

to safeguard wildlife, and the more favorable conditions there are, the more

advantageous it will be for the medical business in producing medicinal herbs

to prevent and treat human ailments

Last but not least, protecting animals also means preserving our tangible and intangible cultural legacy Because of their rarity and distinctiveness, many

animals are today considered national treasures of several nations worldwide

At the same time,a series of photo exhibitions about these animals are also held

worldwide, attracting the public's attention In many nations, regions, and

ethnic groups, the presence of wild animals in the natural world is regarded as a

cultural trait that must be protected by all citizens, local governments, and the

nation as a whole

In conclusion, both wildlife and wildlife protection significantly impact ecosystems and human life in various contexts, from material to

spiritual Therefore,everyone should be aware of and take action to safeguard

wildlife to increase the diversity and richness of the ecosystem

3 Reality

Saola is one of the rarest and most endangered animals in the world This 1s a large mammal first discovered in 1992 in the Truong Son range, the border

area between Vietnam and Laos However, since their discovery, sightings of

saola in the wild have been extremely rare, making them one of the least

known animals

3.1 Number of remaining individuals:

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), saola is classified as critically endangered (CR - Critically

Endangered) Exact data on the remaining number of saola individuals is not

available, but experts estimate there may be fewer than 100 individuals left in

the wild

Some other reports suggest that the number of saola may only be about

20 to 30 individuals They live in the deep and rugged forest areas of the

Truong Son range, which makes studying and monitoring their numbers very

difficult

3.2 Shrinking living environment:

Saola's natural habitat is humid tropical forests and high mountain forests However, the area of these forests is shrinking significantly due to

human activities such as deforestation, logging and infrastructure construction

According to data from the Vietnam General Department of Forestry, in the period from 2000 to 2020, Vietnam lost about 1.7 million hectares of forest,

this directly affects the habitat of animals such as saola

3.3 Difficulties in research and conservation:

Saola is a very shy animal and operates mainly at night, which makes research and conservation difficult Most of what we know about this species

comes from tracks or from accidental encounters via camera traps

No individual of saola has been successfully kept in captivity, which

increases the challenge of implementing breeding and conservation programs

4 Cause

4.1 Loss of habitat

Deforestation: The expansion of agricultural land, illegal logging and the construction of infrastructure such as hydroelectric dams and roads are

seriously reducing the area of natural forests - the main habitat of humans

Why?

Loss of ecological connection: Forest areas are divided by roads or

construction projects, causing loss of connection between saola populations and

limiting their ability to move, forage and reproduce this species

4.2 Hunting and trapping animals:

Illegal hunting: Although saola are not the main hunting target, they are

often caught in traps set to hunt other animals In the Truong Son forest areas,

thousands of traps are set each year to catch deer and other animals, and saola

are often accidentally caught in the traps

According to a WWF report, the number of traps in protected areas in the

Truong Son range reaches tens of thousands These traps not only harm saola

but also threaten other animals

4.3 Ecosystem degradation:

The ecosystem where saola lives is seriously degraded due to human exploitation and development activities This affects other plants and animals

in the ecosystem, reducing food sources and making the saola's survival

difficult

4.4 Lack of conservation research and data:

Research on saola is still very limited due to the difficulty in finding and monitoring this species Therefore, data on their biology, behavior and

reproduction are largely unknown, making conservation planning complex

4.5 Climate change:

Climate change can change the structure and function of tropical forest

ecosystems, affecting the habitat of saola Variations in temperature, rainfall

and seasonal changes can directly affect species’ food and habitat

5 Consequences

5.1.Loss of Biodiversity

The Saola is one of the rarest large mammals in the world, found only in the

Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos Its extinction would mean the loss

of a unique species that contributes to the planet's biodiversity

Biodiversity 1s crucial for ecosystem resilience Each species plays a

specific role, and the loss of one can have cascading effects on others For

example, the extinction of the Saola could lead to changes in the vegetation it

feeds on, which in turn affects other herbivores

The Saola's extinction would reduce genetic diversity, which is vital for the

adaptability and survival of ecosystems Losing the Saola means losing a part

of this genetic pool, making the ecosystem more vulnerable to changes and

threats

5.2 Ecosystem Imbalance

The Saola is part of a complex web of life Its role in the ecosystem is

significant The extinction of the Saola could lead to overpopulation of certain

plants or animals that it used to help control, causing an imbalance

This imbalance can affect other species, leading to further declines or

extinctions For instance, if the Saola helps control certain plant species by

feeding on them, its absence could lead to the overgrowth of these plants,

which might outcompete other vegetation and alter the habitat structure

5.3 Cultural Impact

The Saola is often referred to as the "Asian unicorn" due to its rarity and

elusive nature It holds cultural significance in Vietnam and Laos, symbolizing

the rich natural heritage of the region Losing the Saola would mean losing a

part of this cultural identity It could also impact local traditions and folklore

that feature the Saola, diminishing cultural diversity

5.4 Scientific Loss

The Saola is a relatively newly discovered species, first identified in 1992

Scientists have much to learn about its behavior, genetics, and role in the

ecosystem Its extinction would mean losing the opportunity to study and

understand this unique animal This loss of knowledge could hinder scientific

progress in fields such as conservation biology and ecology

6 Protecting the Saola

Understanding the Saola

The saola is an extremely rare species that can only be found in Vietnam, and it

faces an imminent risk of extinction To help preserve this creature, it’s

essential to understand its lifestyle, dietary needs, and safety requirements

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Researchers are actively investigating these factors to develop effective

conservation strategies

Protecting the Saola's Habitat

Saolas inhabit forested areas, making the preservation of these environments

critical We must establish new conservation zones, maintain existing forests

properly, and restore damaged ecosystems to ensure the saola has a secure

living space

Raising Awareness

It is vital to educate the public about the significance of the saola By informing

people about the threats it encounters, we can inspire support for protective

measures Collaborating with local communities can also foster partnerships

aimed at finding sustainable ways to coexist with the saola while maintaining

their livelihoods

Assisting Injured Saolas

In cases where a saola is injured or isolated, immediate rescue and

rehabilitation efforts are necessary By providing medical assistance and

reintroducing them to their natural habitat, we can help boost the saola

population

International Collaboration

Conservation efforts for the saola require coordinated action across borders

Partnering with neighboring countries and global organizations enables the

sharing of knowledge, resources, and collaboration on conservation initiatives

Individual Contributions

Everyone has the power to contribute to the protection of the saola This can

include opting out of purchasing wildlife products, engaging in environmental

protection programs, advocating for saola conservation, and supporting

relevant organizations Collectively, our efforts can lead to a sustainable future

for the saola and help safeguard Vietnam's diverse ecosystems

The "Save the Saola from Extinction" Campaign

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This campaign represents a crucial effort to protect the saola Through raising

awareness, promoting forest conservation, and involving communities, the

initiative seeks to secure a viable future not just for saola but for other

endangered species in the Central Annamites area

Looking Forward

It is essential to keep advancing innovative conservation methods This

involves more extensive research, improving law enforcement, and exploring

sustainable economic alternatives for local communities By building on the

progress made by the "Save the Saola from Extinction" campaign, we can work

towards ensuring that the saola continues to symbolize Vietnam's wildlife

legacy for future generations

Scientific and Government Protections

To prevent the extinction of the saola, immediate actions are necessary,

including rescuing any remaining individuals and providing them with a secure

habitat The last known saolas should be located, captured, and moved to

breeding facilities within their native range, with the first facility currently

being developed in Vietnam This breeding center will be staffed by experts to

guarantee the survival and successful reproduction of captured saolas

Mr Andre, Co-Director of the SFNC, emphasized the urgency of the situation,

noting that the decline in saola numbers reflects a broader loss of rare wildlife

1n the region He stressed the need for urgent action and community

involvement in conservation activities

Recognizing this, scientists have come together to devise a comprehensive plan

for saola conservation Key priorities include urgently studying the saola’s

distribution and ecology, expanding protected areas, establishing dedicated

conservation zones, and enhancing the management capabilities of these

regions Training personnel for detailed research and fostering international

collaborations are also critical steps

Additionally, raising public awareness and improving living conditions for

those residing near saola habitats is vital Efforts should include removing

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