Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with zoo or aquarium animals? Kylene, an animal care specialist from Sea World San Diego, who cared for the African penguins at SeaWorld for many years.
Over the past several years, the South African penguins have been on the decrease in numbers. A hundred years ago, there were about 1 million African penguins, but since then their population has decreased to under 100 ,000. Scientists predict the population could fall as low as 50 ,000 over the next 20 years if we don't do anything.
Some scientists think the changing ocean temperatures have caused the penguins1 food supply to disappear. Humans have also disturbed the penguins ' wild habitat and collected their eggs. And humans have also been collecting guano (the waste passed from the sea birds' bodies) , which can be added to the soil to make plants grow more successfully. As a result, humans damage their natural nest-digging sites. Without the piles of guano the penguins used to build their nests, they've been forced to nest on open ground.
Some other scientists think the slight increase in air temperature on the islands has had an impact on the penguins' success rate of hatching their eggs. No matter what the reason is, South African penguin population is falling, and scientists need to find a way to stop the decline.
Working with other zoos in the country, Kylene did what she could to help protect the South African penguins. Through Kylene's efforts and the efforts of the people like her at many penguin conservation organizations in South Africa, these little penguins have a chance for a better tomorrow.
【小题1】What has happened to the South African penguins over the past years?| A．The penguin population has greatly declined. |
| B．They've begun to lose the habitat completely. |
| C．They have done great harm to the natural environment. |
| D．They have been hunted by humans for money-making. |
| A．The importance of penguins' return. | B．The causes of penguins' decrease. |
| C．The efforts of some scientists. | D．the necessity of penguins' existence. |
| A．The food supply. | B．The building materials. |
| C．The good shelter. | D．The farming fertilizer. |
| A．Worried. | B．Doubtful. | C．Hopeful. | D．Uncertain. |
