Zoo Mystery: Monkey Theft and Leopard Escape at Zoo Raises Alarm
Ask Students: What are the circumstances surrounding the incidents in Houston and other zoos across the country? Where and when are the incidents of sabotage taking place?
Summary
The mystery of two missing monkeys and the death and disappearance of other animals from the Dallas Zoo has captured the country’s attention over the last couple of weeks. Wednesday at the Houston Zoo, zookeepers are on high alert after a cut was discovered in the mesh fence around the pelican habitat. Authorities are still trying to pin down exactly what has happened.
Discussion Questions
- Who are the individuals and creatures involved in this story?
- What are the circumstances surrounding the incidents in Houston and other zoos across the country?
- Where and when are the incidents of sabotage taking place?
- Why did Davion Irvin say he was freeing the animals? Why do authorities say these were acts of sabotage and animal cruelty?
- How should managers better protect zoos from break-ins?
Focus Questions
What do you think should happen in cases of zoo break-ins and sabotage? Would Davion Irvin agree with the word ‘sabotage’? What are other ways to try to protect animals inside zoos?
Media Literacy: What follow-up questions would you ask the zoo mangers and police officials featured in this story? What questions would you ask Irvin?
Additional Exercise
Learn about what some zoos are doing to protect animals using this Student Reporting Labs story, Animal Rehabilitation at the Chattanooga Zoo.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
