Unseen Passage: Magnificent Cats

The time is now to save these magnificent cats, before they vanish from the earth forever. There is little time left to preserve these animals; immediate action is required.

I cannot imagine, nor would I wish to live in a world without tigers… without these magnificent creatures in our forests living free–without captive populations carrying on the gene pool. The power and beauty of these animals is indisputable. Tigers are an integral part of the ecosystem, as, they are a major link in the food chain. Tigers have been bestowed magical and supernatural properties by many societies, and have also been revered as gods. All living creatures of mother earth depend on one another for survival. We as human beings are brothers and sisters to every living being, from the plants to the animals to each other.

Crimes like these–the killing of tigers–must be stopped. They are often killed in the most barbaric, the most unbelievably cruel ways. I ask
you–the reader–if learning of things like this moves you at all, then take that energy and do what you can to stop the killing of these magnificent animals. Write to your government, write to the governments of tiger countries and urge them to protect tigers. Penalties for killing tigers, and other protected wildlife need to be strongly enforced—and strong enough as to be a complete deterrent to the poaching of tigers, and also deter those who profit from such killings.

Extremist groups would ban all exotic animals from captivity because of small numbers of individuals that mistreat their animals, and unfortunately the whole zoo “industry” and caring private owners get painted with the same brush. The vast majority of zoos big and small, treat their animals well, feed them well and give them proper environment and enrichment. The numbers of bad homes are small, but they do exist. The Animals Rights Organization should make sure they target only the bad homes and leave those providing a good, happy and healthy home for animals alone.

They don’t realize that banning all exotics from captivity could spell the end for many species of animals. Species whose numbers in the wild are extremely low, such as the Clouded Leopard, Siberian tiger, South China tiger and so forth. Zoos, sanctuaries and responsible, knowledgeable and caring private owners are rapidly becoming the last havens to preserve ever-dwindling species of animals. These places may well, in the not so far future, hold the last remaining tigers—gems for the future who should be nurtured and protected.

Caring for tigers is our immense responsibility. Not just to the single tiger in your care, but to his or her species, and all tigers. Simply to own a tiger and keep him or her in your backyard as a pet is not enough, nor is it acceptable to keep this animal to yourself. You, the owner, owe it to all tigers—wild and those held in captivity—and to the future generations of these animals to educate the public about tigers—and help to change people’s opinions about wildlife preservation. Education is key to developing sensitivity to and awareness of our environment. Our children hold the hope for the future of the tiger. Heightened awareness of environmental issues will help assure our children grow up to respect and care for our global environment. Think Globally—Act Locally!

Q. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. Why is the writer unable to imagine a world without tigers?
2. What can you do to stop killing of tigers?
3. What are the extremist groups banning? What could be its consequence?
4. Think Globally—Act Locally! How is this possible?

Answer

1. The writer is unable to imagine a world without tigers as the power and beauty of these animals is indisputable. They are an integral part of the ecosystem and are a major link in the food chain.
2. We can write to our government regarding the merciless killing of tigers. We can write to the various governments of tiger countries and urge them to protect tigers. Penalties for killing tigers should be strongly enforced.
3. Extremist groups are banning all exotic animal from captivity. This could lead to the end of many species of animals for species whose numbers are extremely low such as clouded leopard. Caring by private owners are rapidly becoming the last havens to preserve them.
4. This is possible because saving tigers from extinction is a global issue but each of us can play a part, by writing to the concerned government to protect these beautiful cats.

Q. On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following.

1. The synonym of ‘conferred’ as given in para 2 is __________.
   1. bestowed
   2. magnificent
   3. revered
   4. captive
2. The synonym of ‘fanatic’ as given in para 4 is __________.
3. The antonym of ‘freedom’ as given in para 5 is __________.
   1. exotics
   2. captivity
   3. havens
   4. nurtured
4. The antonym of ‘questionable’ as given in para 2 is __________.

Answer

1. bestowed
2. extremist
3. immense
4. indisputable