12 April 2009
The Ants Come Marching Two By Two

Imagine, you are stuck in a forest fire! Certainly, you don't have a fire extinguisher, or do you? Hopefully the adrenalin rush you feel makes you run out of the forest. So now you're running around the forest, trying not to breathe the dirty air while jumping over logs until you reach a rock...In the left corner of your eye, you see an endangered baby grizzly bear crying out for his mama. In the right corner of your eye, you see a rare turtle that is stuck under a branch that you could easily lift. You want to help both of them, but you only have time to help one if you want to live. "Oh how unfortunate!" your caring, thoughtful self thinks. "Whatever should I do?" Luckily, just in time, Mother Nature rains down an ocean that puts out the fire. Phew! Now you have time to help both animals.
But that was yesterday. Today there is an economic crisis where people are trying to save money. "You better get off the computer! We're trying to save money to get you into college! Life ain't cheap, you know."
It looks like your parents are not the only ones affected by money. In fact conservationists depend greatly on money when they save endangered species. While some followers argue that conservationists are just being realistic when they choose the animals with the highest chance of progress, other people believe that conservationists should help each animal equally. One British scientists solution is to create a digital Noah's Ark.
1. Is it ethical for conservationists to consider the money cost when saving an endangered animal? In a minimum of 5 sentences, defend your position. Link to a site that supports your opinion.
2. If you were creating an ark, and had to pick any one species of animal that would benefit the planet or humankind the most, which animal would you pick? In a minimum of 5 sentences explain why you choose this animal as essential.
3. If you could pick any single animal species to save from extinction, regardless of its endangered status, which one would you save and why?