This document defines key terms related to endangered and extinct species. It provides examples of recently extinct animals such as the Javan Tiger and Pinta Island Tortoise. Some currently endangered species mentioned are the snow leopard, polar bear, and giant panda. The document encourages students to work in pairs on a class project, choosing an endangered species to research why it is threatened, the greatest threats it faces, changes to its habitat, and how it can be recovered and preserved. Their presentations will be evaluated on creativity, vocabulary, grammar, and oral communication skills.

1. Extinct, Endangered or
Threatened?

2. DEFINITIONS
• Extinct species: species that no longer exists
on earth
• Endangered species: species in danger of
extinction in the foreseeable future
• Threatened species: species likely to become
endangered within the foreseeable future

3. 5 recently extinct animals
The Javan tiger, declared
extinct in 2003
The western black
Rhinocero, declared extinct
in 2013
Southern gastric brooding
frog, declared extinct in
2002

4. Pinta Island Tortoise, last
survivor died in 2012
Baiji River Dolphin,
declared extinct in
20006

5. Some endangered or threatened
species
The snow leopard, numbered
estimated between 3,500 and
7000
There are 19
recognised polar
bears
Around 1,590 giant
pands in the world

6. Important vocabulary
• conservation effort measures to protect and restore the natural world
• Ecosystem the on-going relationship between living things and their
environment
• Environmentalist person who cares about the natural world and makes an
it or raise awareness for its needs
• Extinction the loss of a species in this world
• food chain a group of organisms that feed off each other
• global warming the gradual increase in temperature on earth
• Habitat the area where a species naturally lives, eats, and reproduces
• Mortality death to a large number of plants or animals
• Poaching When a person hunts, fishes or harvests without permission, often by
illegal means and usually for profit
• Poacher a person who illegally hunts birds, animals of fish on somebody’s
else’s property
• Recover to help a certain species repopulate an area
• Reforestation the planting and growth of new trees
• Risk engage in a dangerous act
• Vulnerable likely to face injury or danger
• Wildlife plants and animals living in a natural environment
• Biodiversity the genetic variability of living organisms on our planet
• Conservation Taking care of our enviorment by wisely managing its resources
• Exotic pets animals that have not been domesticated
• Habitat the place where a plant or animal lives
• Preservation protecting resources, ecosystem and structures for present and

7. Class Project
In pairs:
•Choose a threatened or endangered species
•Explain why it is threatened or endangered
•What poses the greatest threat to them
•Which are the major changes in their habitat
and how can it be preserved
•How these species can be recovered

8. Evaluation
• Design creativity
• Vocabulary and grammar used
• Project oral presentation (intonation, body gesture,
visual communication, etc.)
Important note: students will compulsory have to ask questions
about their classmates projects. These questions will be
handed to the teacher in a clean and neat piece of paper.