- Used to live in Britain? - Never lived here?

Extinction Objectives : Level 3- Recall factors that can lead to extinction. Level 4- Define the term extinction. Level 5- Explain how changes in the environment may lead to extinctions. Level 6- Explain why some organisms are more at risk of extinction than others. Level 7- Design a conservation plan to stop a named organism from becoming extinct Key skills you will use: Working with others, Improving own learning performance, Communication, problem solving and your thinking skills.

Were they ever here? Animals that used to live in Britain Grey wolf Grey wolves once had the largest distribution of any animal except human beings. Today, the grey wolf can only be found in Canada, Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Wisconsin in the USA, Russia and pockets of Eastern Europe In the UK? Extinct by 1680, after centuries of persecution Diet: Carnivorous Ð feeds mainly on deer Habitat: Grey wolves are very adaptable to different terrain. They live in tundra, steppe (treeless plains), open woodland and forest.

Brown Bear Brown bears have the most widespread distribution of all bears. They inhabit North America, east and west Europe and northern Asia In the UK? Extinct by 900 AD Diet: feeds mainly on roots, berries, seeds, insects, fish and honey Habitat: Dense forest areas, alpine tundra regions and river valleys.

Eurasian lynx Eurasian lynx are found in areas of Asia and parts of Europe, especially in Swiss forests. They have one of the widest ranges of all cat species In the UK? Extinct by 900 AD Diet: Carnivorous Ð feeds mainly on deer but will take smaller prey, such as rabbits and hares Habitat: Lynx live in forested, mountainous areas, away from human populations.

European elk (moose) The European elk (known as a moose in the USA) is found in Northern Europe, Eastern Siberia, Mongolia, Manchuria, Alaska, Canada and North Eastern USA In the UK? Extinct in Britain by 900 AD Diet: Herbivorous Ð feeds on twigs, water plants (summer) and conifer branches (winter) Habitat: Forested areas with snow cover in winter and preferably swampy ground.

European beaver In the UK? The European beaver was extinct in England and Wales in the 12th century and in Scotland in the 16th century. It is now being reintroduced at enclosed sites Diet: Herbivorous Ð feeds on bark and shoots of trees. Also eats aquatic vegetation Habitat: Lakes, rivers and wooded areas.

Why do you think animals become endangered and what factors contribute to them becoming extinct as a species. hunting/culling. changes to their food source outbreaks of disease declining birth rates adverse weather destruction of habitat pollution

1changes to the environment 2new predators 3new diseases 4new competitors.

The European Beaver has been extinct in Britain since the 16 th Century. Working with a partner answer the following questions:  What kind of habitat do beavers live in?  What do beavers need to survive in their habitat?  What factors do you think led to the extinction of beavers in Britain? Working with a partner answer the following questions:  What kind of habitat do beavers live in?  What do beavers need to survive in their habitat?  What factors do you think led to the extinction of beavers in Britain?

What kind of habitat do beavers live in? What do beavers need to survive ? Live in family groups In wetland areas like rivers, lakes & marshes near woodlands They prefer holes in river banks They will build lodges of piled logs. They then create opportunities for other species because of their homes. They are herbivorous: They eat aquatic plants, grasses ferns, shrubs.

Why did beavers become extinct in Britain? Human Factor: hunted for their fur, meat and Castoreum. Habitat loss also a contributing factor. Castoreum Produced in a gland below the beavers’ tail. Valued for its alleged medicinal properties and fragrance. Recent analysis found it contains an acid which is an active ingredient of aspirin. Castoreum Produced in a gland below the beavers’ tail. Valued for its alleged medicinal properties and fragrance. Recent analysis found it contains an acid which is an active ingredient of aspirin.

Reintroduction of Beavers In Britain many wildlife conservation organisations want to reintroduce beavers into our wetlands. Received with mixed views from the public. Those that do exist tend to enclose the beavers to prevent them moving freely into countryside areas. Class Task In pairs consider the attitudes ‘for’ and ‘against’ reintroducing beavers to Britain. Using the cards sort them into 2 piles. Points that support and points that are against.

Public views on beaver reintroduction. The answers

7 = against 5 = for Did you sort them correctly?

Activity You the pupils are the experts. You are going to hold a meeting about trying to try reintroduce the beaver to Emberton Country Park. Work in groups of 5. Each group will have a different perspective which you must get across in the meeting. Use the reintroduction cards to help support your argument. One person needs to be the spokes person.

 Look at the objectives below – give yourself a level based upon how much you can do – you will be asked to prove it! Level 3- Recall factors that can lead to extinction. Level 4- Define the term extinction. Level 5- Explain how changes in the environment may lead to extinctions. Level 6- Explain why some organisms are more at risk of extinction than others. Level 7- Design a conservation plan to stop a named organism from becoming extinct

Homework List and state why 3 animals that are endangered or extinct in Britain today.