EVAU-type exercise: Urban Wildlife

 


 


Urban Wildlife: Animals in the City
(scroll down for the answers)

In recent years, cities around the world have experienced an increase in wildlife sightings. Animals such as wild boars in Spain, foxes in Australia, and coyotes in the United States are becoming common in urban areas. Experts attribute this trend to factors like habitat loss, climate change, and the availability of food in cities. For instance, wild boars have been entering Spanish cities due to droughts and forest fires that destroy their natural habitats, pushing them to seek food and water in urban environments.  

While some residents enjoy the presence of wildlife, these animals can pose challenges. Wild boars, for example, have caused traffic accidents and damaged property. In response, some cities have implemented measures such as installing bear-proof bins, creating wildlife corridors, and educating the public on how to coexist with urban animals. In Italy, the town of Pettorano sul Gizio has successfully reduced bear-related incidents by adopting "bear-smart" practices, which include securing waste and informing residents about bear behaviour.

Managing urban wildlife requires a balance between human needs and animal conservation. Solutions range from non-lethal methods like relocation and contraception to more controversial approaches like culling. Public education and community involvement are also crucial in promoting coexistence and reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife.

Adapted from Guardian articles 2024, 2025

A. Answer the questions in your own words (20–30 words each)

1.  What are some reasons wild animals are increasingly entering urban areas?

2.   What challenges do wild animals pose when they enter cities?

3.    What measures have been taken in Pettorano sul Gizio to manage bear-related incidents?

 

 

B. Are these statements True or False? Justify your answers with words from the text.

4.  Climate change has contributed to wildlife moving into urban areas.

5.  All residents are unhappy about the presence of wild animals in cities.

6.  Culling is the only method used to control urban wildlife populations.

7.  Public education plays a role in managing human-wildlife conflicts.

C. Vocabulary (Find a synonym for each of the four underlined words from the text. Choose from the list below.)

Options:

Rise    essential     search for     difficulties  warning      adaptation

Words to match

8 Increase

9 Seek

10 Challenges

11 Crucial

 

D. Multiple Choice: Choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D)

12 Why are wild boars entering Spanish cities?

A) They are attracted to urban nightlife.

B) Their natural habitats have been destroyed by environmental factors.

C) They are being released by conservationists.

D) They prefer the climate in cities.

13 What is one method used in Pettorano sul Gizio to reduce bear incidents?

A) Relocating all bears to forests.

B) Installing bear-proof waste containers.

C) Feeding bears regularly.

D) Building fences around the town.

14 What is a common approach to managing urban wildlife?

A) Ignoring their presence.

B) Encouraging them to breed.

C) Educating the public on coexistence strategies.

D) Providing unlimited food sources.

E. Writing (130–150 words)

Topic:
Many cities are experiencing an increase in wild animals entering urban areas. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon and suggest possible solutions to manage human-wildlife interactions effectively.

 

 


                           The Troggs, Wild Thing (1966)

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEY

A. Answer the questions in your own words (20–30 words each)

1. What are some reasons wild animals are increasingly entering urban areas?
Wild animals enter cities because of habitat loss caused by forest fires, droughts, and climate change, as well as the easier availability of food in urban environments.

2.What challenges do wild animals pose when they enter cities?
They can damage property, cause traffic accidents, and create safety concerns for residents, even if some people enjoy seeing them.

3 What measures have been taken in Pettorano sul Gizio to manage bear-related incidents?
Authorities secured waste, educated people about bear behaviour, and applied "bear-smart" practices to reduce conflicts between residents and bears.

B. Are these statements True or False? Justify your answers with words from the text

4. Climate change has contributed to wildlife moving into urban areas.
True“Experts attribute this trend to factors like habitat loss, climate change...”

5. All residents are unhappy about the presence of wild animals in cities.
False“While some residents enjoy the presence of wildlife...”

6. Culling is the only method used to control urban wildlife populations.
False“Solutions range from non-lethal methods like relocation and contraception to more controversial approaches like culling.”

7. Public education plays a role in managing human-wildlife conflicts.
True“Public education and community involvement are also crucial in promoting coexistence...”

 

C. Vocabulary (Find a synonym for each of the four underlined words from the text. Choose from the list below.)

Options:

Rise   essential    search for     difficulties  warning      adaptation

Words to match

8 Increase - rise

9 Seek - search for

10 Challenges - difficulties

11 Crucial - essential

 

D. Multiple Choice

12. Why are wild boars entering Spanish cities?
B) Their natural habitats have been destroyed by environmental factors.
 “due to droughts and forest fires that destroy their natural habitats...”

13. What is one method used in Pettorano sul Gizio to reduce bear incidents?
 B) Installing bear-proof waste containers.
 “securing waste and informing residents about bear behaviour.”

14. What is a common approach to managing urban wildlife?
C) Educating the public on coexistence strategies.
“Public education and community involvement are also crucial...”

 

Model essay: Managing Urban Wildlife

In recent years, more wild animals have been entering cities around the world. This is often caused by habitat loss due to deforestation, fires, or droughts. Some animals are also attracted by the food and water available in urban areas, especially in bins and gardens.

Although many people enjoy seeing wildlife up close, it can lead to serious problems. Animals like wild boars or bears may damage property, cause road accidents, or even harm residents. For this reason, cities must take action to reduce these conflicts.

Possible solutions include using wildlife-proof rubbish containers, creating green corridors, and educating people about how to behave if they see wild animals. Relocation or fertility control can also help. With the right measures, humans and animals can share space more safely and respectfully.

129 words

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