Use of English

Saving Species

Protecting endangered species is often presented as a simple matter of passing stricter laws, but the reality is far more complex. Many animals are threatened not only by hunting but (0) ALSO by habitat loss, pollution and climate change, all of which interact (1) .......... ways that are difficult to predict. Conservationists may succeed in protecting one area, only to find that the species migrates beyond it or depends (2) .......... another ecosystem that remains unprotected. In addition, local communities are sometimes expected to bear the costs of conservation, even though they may gain little (3) .......... it. If people are prevented from farming, fishing or building, they may come to see endangered species as obstacles rather (4) .......... natural treasures. This is why long-term success depends not only on science, but (5) .......... public support and economic planning. Another difficulty lies in the fact that some species reproduce so slowly that, even when threats are reduced, recovery takes years. By the time action is taken, numbers may have fallen (6) .......... low for the population to survive without human intervention. In such cases, experts must decide whether to focus (7) .......... breeding programmes, habitat restoration, or stricter enforcement. What is clear, however, is that without coordinated action, many species may disappear before we are able to learn enough (8) .......... save them.