Phil Wise is a wildlife scientist from the Save the Tasmanian Devil (袋獾)Program. The scientists working with this program study Tasmanian devils, check their health, and track the devils found in the wild. Because a disease is reducing the number of devils, Oddity, a young Tasmanian devil, and 14 others were raised in a preserve and then brought to Maria Island to be set free into the wild.
Life on this island off the coast of Tasmania was a big change for Oddity and the others. These devils bad little experience with other kinds of animals and had to explore the land and find new bones.
Though they are raised in zoos all over the world, devils live wild only in Tasmania. They eat dead animals they find, which helps clean up the environment. Devils also eat animals such as wallabies, wombats, and possums, helping to keep those populations balanced.
But a disease called Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) is killing devils on mainland Tasmania, putting them in danger. DFTD spreads when a diseased animal bites a healthy animal. The goal of the scientists w ho set Oddity and the others free was to create a lot of devils which are free of DFTD on Maria Island. Oddity is a part of this “insurance population” of devils raised in zoos and wildlife preserves. This means that if the facial disease causes the Tasmanian devil to die out in the wild, devils like Oddity can be sent back into disease-free areas of Tasmania, giving devils a chance to survive.
Oddity started his new life on Maria Island. And the other animals did so well that 13 more devils were set free. The 28 original Tasmanian devils have reproduced; there are now around 80 devils. They are doing well on Maria Island. and the plan is considered a success. Wise says he is “very happy to know that animals are getting a chance to be free in the wild in an area that is free of DFTD It is the final aim of all who work to protect animals.”
【小题1】Why were some Tasmanian devils sent to Maria Island?| A．To save their lives. | B．To treat their illness. |
| C．To make a further study. | D．To provide pleasure for visitors. |
| A．They live mainly on plants. |
| B．They mostly live in the wild. |
| C．They need to be protected in the zoo. |
| D．They help keep the balance of nature. |
| A．Well-trained wildlife. | B．Healthy baby devils. |
| C．Animals with DFTD. | D．Disease-free devils. |
| A．They are wonderful. | B．They are dangerous. |
| C．They are the same as before. | D．They are affected by human |
