Rio & Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Poaching

Rio is an amazing movie and it addresses a serious topic, poaching, in a romantic, but informative way. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is too far fetched, but the original idea is clever and the movie breathtaking and thought-provoking. The information for the following exercises was taken from the wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poaching

 



Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.




I. Explain poaching in your own words.


II. Talk to a friend.

1. Does your country face problems with poaching? Which ones?

2. What are the problems poaching may bring to the society?

3. Here is a list of what makes hunting illegal - poaching. Decide if the reason is fair enough or if it not.

- It may be illegal and in violation because:

- The game or fish is not in season; usually the breeding season is declared as the closed season when
wildlife species are protected by law.

- The poacher is illegally selling the animal, animal parts or plant for a profit.

- The animal is being hunted outside of legal hours.

- The hunter used an illegal weapon for that animal.

- The animal or plant is on restricted land.

- The right to hunt this animal is claimed by somebody.

- The type of bait is inhumane. (e.g. food unsuitable for an animal's health)

- The animal or plant is protected by law or that it has been listed as extinct or endangered and similar laws/treaties.

- The animal or plant has been tagged by a researcher.


Note that only wild animals can be poached. Stealing or killing domestic animals is considered to be theft, not poaching.


III. Watch the movie segment from the movie Rio and answer the questions:

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - RIO




1. Describe the scene

2. What animal is being poached?

3. Why is it considered poaching? Take a look at the previous exercises to help you.

4. How serious is the situation shown in the segment? Explain it.

5. Are any of the characters committing a crime? How innocent is a person who possesses a wild animal at home? What if this wild animal is very well-treated by the poacher? What if it is not well-treated? What should the punishment be, if any?


IV. Watch the scene from the movie Rise of the Planet of the Apes and discuss the questions.




MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES


1. Describe the scene

2. What animal is being poached?

3. Why is it considered poaching? Take a look at the previous exercises to help you.

4. How serious is the situation shown in the segment? Explain it.

5. Are any characters committing a crime? What if the animal is being taken for animal testing, for example to find the cure of an incurable disease, like Alzheimer?