Baby Croc on the Loose Behind Newcastle Bunnings
Baby crocodile swimming in a suburban creek near a hardware store – Image created by ChatGPT with DALL·E by OpenAI.
VOCABULARY LIST
On the loose (phrase) /ɒn ðə lus/: Escaped and free to move around.
Example: A baby croc was on the loose behind Bunnings for two days.Perimeter (noun) /pəˈrɪmətə/: The outer edge of an area that is controlled or protected.
Example: Police set up a perimeter to keep people safe.Murky (adjective) /ˈmɜki/: Dark and unclear, usually describing water.
Example: The creek water was murky, which made the job harder.Secure (verb) /səˈkjʊə/: To make something safe or under control.
Example: The team worked hard to secure the little croc.On scene (phrase) /ɒn sin/: At the place where something is happening.
Example: Animal experts arrived on scene that night.Worked across the weekend (phrase) /wɜkt əˈkrɒs ðə ˈwiːkɛnd/: Continued working during the weekend.
Example: The team worked across the weekend to catch the croc.Freshwater crocodile (noun) /ˈfrɛʃˌwɔtə ˈkrɒkədaɪl/: A type of crocodile that lives in rivers and is usually found in northern Australia.
Example: The animal was identified as a freshwater crocodile.Safely transported (phrase) /ˈseɪfli trænˈspɔtɪd/: Moved carefully without harm.
Example: The croc was safely transported to the reptile park.Health check (noun) /hɛlθ ʧɛk/: A medical examination to make sure someone or something is healthy.
Example: The young croc is getting a full health check.No further sightings (phrase) /noʊ ˈfɜðə ˈsaɪtɪŋz/: No more reports of seeing something.
Example: Police confirmed there were no further sightings of crocodiles.
ARTICLE
A baby croc was on the loose for two days after it was found swimming in a creek behind a Bunnings Warehouse in Wallsend, Newcastle.
Police were called to Federal Park at about 4.30pm on Saturday after someone spotted the crocodile in the water. Officers quickly set up a perimeter to stop the croc from escaping and to make sure no one got too close.
The animal was identified as a freshwater crocodile. This type of croc is not native to New South Wales and is usually found in northern Australia. It had first been seen about three kilometres away before making its way to the creek behind Bunnings.
Animal handling specialists from the Australian Reptile Park arrived on scene that night but were unable to catch it. The water was murky, which made it a tricky job.
The team returned the next day and worked across the weekend to secure the little croc safely. In a Facebook post, the Australian Reptile Park said their team had worked hard to get the job done.
Despite early reports that there might be more crocodiles in the area, police confirmed there were no further sightings. There were no injuries reported.
The young croc has now been safely transported to the Australian Reptile Park, where it is receiving a full health check. The park’s veterinary team is making sure it gets the proper care it needs.
SOURCE:
This article is based on:
Crocodile captured after being found in pond behind Bunnings store in Newcastle
Reflection Questions
Instructions:
Use these questions as:
– Speaking practice (e.g. talk to yourself, record and listen back)
– Writing practice (e.g. short paragraph answers)
– Class discussion with your teacher or classmates
How would you feel if you saw a crocodile near a shopping centre?
Do you think wild animals should be kept in zoos or parks? Why or why not?
Have you ever seen a dangerous animal in real life? What happened?
Why do you think someone might keep an animal that is not native to their area?
Do you think the police handled the situation well? Why?
Comprehension activity - multiple choice
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