Your team will research information about conservation  and endangered species.   You will select an animal that is endangered.  You will next find out what is being done to protect your animal.  An example is captive breading.  Next, you will need to prepare to release your animal back into the wild successfully by finding out what would be necessary for your animal to be able to survive.  An example of this might include learning how to migrate.  Follow the nine steps below!

Step One:  Forming Your Groups  

  • You will be working together in small groups of four students. This is your Team of Specialists.
  • As a group, be thinking which role each person would like to lead. Refer to Roles on Task Page.

Step Two:  Get Inspired

Visit the following sites to learn about what conservation efforts are taking place in the world today.
  • Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
  • National  Conservancy
  • Conservation Video:    
  • The Smithsonian National Zoo Video:  A video about a zoo you may get funding from for the release of your animal.   Tells you about researchers and how reintroduction works.  It is 1 hour in length. 

Step Three:  Research What is an Endangered Species?

Read over this Endangered Species information.  
  1. Read about the Endangered Species Act
  2. Think about these questions:  What is the Endangered Species Act?  How does a species get listed? How are these animals protected?  Discuss with your group. 
  3. Read about this Endangered Species Program 
  4. Think about these questions:  How are people being connected with nature?  What is the date of Endangered Species Day?  Discuss with your group. 
  5. Read slide show Endangered Means There Is Still Time
  6. Complete Endangered Means There Is Still Time Submit worksheet to teacher.

Step Four:  Research the Regions and Habitats that efforts are being made

Explore conservation efforts in different regions and different habitats at the websites below:   
Read about three different regions and three habitats at the website below.  

Step Five:  Choose Your Animal

Visit the following sites to choose the animal your team of specialists will reintroduce back into the wild.  

Step Six:  Complete Your Team Page

Fill in the team page document when you have chosen your leadership role and your team has decided on which animal to save.  
team_page_for_webquest.docx
File Size: 68 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Step Seven:  Begin Your Individual Research

It is time for you to make your plans for your individual part of this project. You are to review the websites below and look for additional resources.  You may ask each other for help on this part but you are the leader of the role you chose. 

Links for the Media Specialist:
Meet a real media specialist:  Craig Kasnoff:  
A real media blog example: 
Sample Article about Elephants

Links for the Reintroduction Specialist:
Reintroduction Plan Example
AZA:  Guidelines for Reintroduction

Links for the Rescue Organization Leader:
Natural England
The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Links for the Lead Scientist:
Meet a real animal scientist and anthropologist:
Jane Goodall Research Site  
Jane Goodall:  Fansite
Field Notes:    
Meet the Scientist- Helene Mullar Landau  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVnveDTKAJo
Rebuilding a Species   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVDncjzpNJI&NR=1
Extinct Animals Rediscovered   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjs2w3jdTHA&feature=related
Example Field Reports

Step Eight:  Reflect on your Group Experience

Download the partner checklist below.  Hand it in to your teacher.  
checklist.webarchive
File Size: 11 kb
File Type: webarchive
Download File

Step Nine:  Present your Project as a Group to the Class

Have fun sharing your group project with the group.  Your teacher is looking forward to them.  Here is the rubric for evaluation.