Contents
=> “Painted Huntings Dogs of Africa” - text and gap-fill
=> “Quick Brainstorm Activity: Endangered Animals of Russia”
=> Answers to “Painted Dog” Gap-fill
=> “Group Project: Endangered Species Report”
=> Events in Vladivostok: Talent Show and American Corner
=> In the Next Issues

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Painted Huntings Dogs of Africa - text and gap-fill
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Below are 7 words and definitions. Put them in the seven blanks in the text that follows.

1. conservation = the protection, preservation, or management of wildlife and natural resources
2. endangered = threatened with extinction
3. fur = coat of soft hair covering an animal
4. pack = a group of dogs, wolves
5. road kill (also roadkill) = the death of an animal by impact from a car
6. snaring = the use of wire traps to capture animals
7. wounded = injured

The (1)____________ Painted Hunting Dog (or African Wild Dog) once numbered about 50,000 in 39 African countries. Now there are 3,000 in just 4 countries: Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. They are called “Painted Dogs” because of the colorful patterns of their (2)____________: brown, yellow, red, and black. They have big Mickey Mouse ears.

Painted Dogs hunt in packs. When the (3)____________ returns from a kill they bring food for young, (4)____________, or sick dogs that did not join in the hunt. There is much mutual help and little agression between members of the pack.

The numbers of painted dogs have dropped because of hunting–(5)____________and shooting–and (6)­____________. In Hwange Park, Zimbabwe, painted dogs are the primary tourist attraction, more than lions, giraffes, or elephants. Thanks to Greg Rasmussen, who founded the Painted Dog (7)____________ Project, the dog population in Hwange park has increased from 400 to 700.

For pictures or more information go here: Painted Dog Conservation

Answers after “Quick Brainstorm Activity”

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Quick Brainstorm Activity: Endangered Animals of Russia
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Brainstorm. Ask students in groups to brainstorm a list of what animals are endangered in Russia or in the waters off Russia. They may follow up by doing research as homework. How many can they think of?

Here are a few: Northern Grey Whale, Amur Tiger, Snow Leopard, Beluga Sturgeon (from which we get black caviar), giant scallops off Sakhalin, Steller’s Sea Eagle, Sakhalin Taimen, European Mink.

Can’t list them all. In the Russian coastal region of the Caspian Sea alone, there are…

40 endangered species of plant
8 endangered species of reptile
45 endangered species of bird
18 endangered species of mammal
5 endangered species fish

from Caspian Environment Program

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Answers to “Painted Dog Gap-Fill”
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(1) endangered
(2) fur
(3) pack
(4) wounded
(5) snaring
(6) road kill(s)
(7) Conservation

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Group Project: Endangered Species Report
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Awareness about a problem is generally a good step towards helping solve it.

Ask students to research some plant or animal species in their region. They will need time for this, a week perhaps. For example, the Western Gray Whale, mentioned above, which feeds off the coast of Sakhalin has a population of only about 100. In fact, off Sakhalin’s oily coast there are 11 endangered species of mammals.

As a project for younger groups K-12 (Kindergarten through 12th grade), teachers might consider assigning an Endangered Species Report for the web site School World. They will publish the report on their website. It’s a cool way for young students to get a publication. Besides, I don’t believe any reports have been submitted from Russia yet.

Check out some of the students’ Endangered Species reports for examples and guidelines.

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Events in Vlad: FEELTA Talent Show and American Corner
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March 26, 2005 Saturday: Far Eastern English Language Teachers Association presents the 9th annual English Language Talent Show. It starts at 10:00 and goes to 18:00 or so. Amazing kids and teens come from all corners of Primorskye Krai to perform. Last year we had 500 participants and 90 acts. Drop by any time. Where: DVGU, Mordovtseva 12.

March 29, 2005 Tuesday: “Russians and Russia in American Film.” 18:00-19:00 at the American Corner, Gorky Library, Nekrasovskaya ul., Vladivostok.

Kevin will offer up a historical look at how Russians have been portrayed by Hollywood, from the 1930s through the Cold War to today. The multimedia presentation features clips from films such as K-19, Dr. Zhivago, The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!, Armageddon, and even Brat. We will also have a vote to see which actor speaks the worst Russian. Is it Sean Connery Schwarzenneger or someone else?

(P.S. This is probably Kevin’s final American Corner presentation in Vladivostok. Boo hoo. But don’t miss it).

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In the Next Issues
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ETs #77, March 30:
Absolutely True April Fools Stuff
(exclusively from Mr. Poosheesty)

ETs #78 April 15:
Tough Call Discussion Questions
Tax day facts

ETs #79 April 30:
Poosheesty’s Unorthodox Dictation Methods

ETs #80 May 15:
A Brief History of Mayonnaise and Tartar Sauce
Why does Russia love mayonnaise so much anyway?

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Copyright 2005 Kevin McCaughey & I.M. Poosheesty