Argumentative Text: Don't Release Animals Back to the Wild

Multiple Choice

Sometimes wildlife needs a helping hand. Biologists and conservationists often rescue orphaned, injured, or endangered animals. It’s the only way to ensure their survival. Helping animals may require keeping them in captivity for weeks, months, or even years. Endangered species, in particular, may need to stay in captivity for extended periods. That way, they can begin to rebuild their population. Then what? One argument is that wild animals always should be released back into the wild. However, scientific research raises serious questions about the benefits of doing so. For several reasons, it makes more sense to keep these animals in captivity

What is the Authors's Claim?

• Biologists and conservationists often rescue orphaned, injured, or endangered animals.

• For several reasons, it makes more sense to keep these animals in captivity.

• All animals are born with certain instincts, or natural abilities.

• Therefore, when these animals are released into the wild, they are poorly equipped to survive.

Multiple Select

The first group was made up of animals born in captivity and released into the wild. The second group was made up of animals caught in the wild and moved to a new area. The scientists found that the animals born in captivity had a much lower survival rate in the wild. These animals were more likely to starve to death. That’s because they lacked hunting skills. The captive born animals were also were less likely to find mates and start families. That means their species as a whole was less likely to thrive.

What are reasons the author gives to support the main claim.

• The first group was made up of animals born in captivity and released into the wild.

• The scientists found that the animals born in captivity had a much lower survival rate in the wild.

• These animals were more likely to starve to death.

• The captive born animals were also were less likely to find mates and start families. That means their species as a whole was less likely to thrive.

Multiple Choice

Here’s a second reason it makes sense to keep captive wild animals in captivity, rather than release them to the wild. Many modern zoos and other facilities offer everything these animals need to live long, healthy, and happy lives. And in many cases, nature does not.

What is a reason the author gives to support the claim that animals should be kept in captivity.

• Some people object to keeping animals in zoos.

• Moats or ditches have replaced cages and wire fences.

• They compare zoo life to life in prison.

• Many modern zoos and other facilities offer everything these animals need to live long, healthy, and happy lives.

Multiple Select

There’s a third reason to keep rescued wild animals in captivity rather than releasing them back into the wild. Both scientists and the general public can learn a great deal from captive animals. Carefully observing captive animals allows scientists to make discoveries about species’ health and behavior that they can’t make in the wild. What scientists learn about captive animals can benefit other members of the species that remain in the wild. Seeing wild animals in captivity also helps people appreciate wildlife and wildlife-protection efforts.

What are some examples of reasons and facts the authors uses to support the claim that animals should be held in captivity.

• Both scientists and the general public can learn a great deal from captive animals.

• There’s a third reason to keep rescued wild animals in captivity rather than releasing them back into the wild. Both scientists and the general public

• What scientists learn about captive animals can benefit other members of the species that remain in the wild.

• Seeing wild animals in captivity also helps people appreciate wildlife and wildlife-protection efforts.

Multiple Choice

work together, participate in shared activity

• cooperate

• thrive

• unfettered

• diminished

• sanctuaries

Multiple Choice

do well, be successful, grow

• cooperate

• thrive

• unfettered

• diminished

• sanctuaries

Multiple Choice

not limited, not restricted

• cooperate

• thrive

• unfettered

• diminished

• sanctuaries

Multiple Choice

human-made places of safety and protection

• cooperate

• thrive

• unfettered

• diminished

• sanctuaries

Multiple Choice

shrank, became smaller or fewer

• cooperate

• thrive

• unfettered

• diminished

• sanctuaries