Lions killing less zebras because of ants – EASY

In Africa, a small bug called the big-headed ant is making problems for lions. These ants are stopping lions from hunting zebras.

The big-headed ants are new in the area. They are changing the trees in that area. These trees help lions hide when they hunt.

The local ants protect the trees from elephants. They bite the elephants, and the elephants go away. But the big-headed ants kill the local ants and take the trees. These new ants don’t protect the trees.

Elephants damage more trees where the new ants live. In areas with the new ants and elephants, there are fewer trees. But lions need trees to hunt zebras. 

Lions hunt more zebras in areas with many trees and no big-headed ants.

Lions are safe now, but scientists are worried about more big-headed ants. If more trees are damaged, it could change the area and the food for animals like rhinos and giraffes.

Vocabulary

• Bug – A small insect; a small animal, usually with more than four legs
• Ant – 🐜; a small insect that lives in groups
• Hunt – to search for and try to catch or kill an animal, sometimes for sport
• Area – A place or part of a place; piece of land, or country; a particular part of a place; somewhere
• Hide – to keep something out of sight; to conceal something; to make something not possible to see; to make it difficult to find something
• Local – related to or connected to a specific/particular place; existing in or belonging to the area that you are talking about; part of or in the city or country you’re talking about
• Protect – keep safe or secure; guard; defend
• Bite – Using the teeth to cut or clamp onto something
• Kill – To make something or someone stop living; murder
• Damage – ruin; destroy; injure; hurt; break; physically harm 
• Scientist – a person who studies science or the natural world; researcher; 👨‍🔬🥼🧪🔬
• Worry – to be/feel concerned or nervous; to be troubled; to think a lot about a negative situation; a little scared

Discussion Questions

• In your opinion, should people try to stop the big-headed ants?
• How do the trees help the lions when they are hunting zebras?
• What might happen to the rhinos and giraffes if more trees are damaged?
• Is it important for scientists to study the relationship between plants and animals?

• English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
• English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.

Original Story

www.theguardian.com

Lions making fewer zebra kills due to ‘chain reaction’ involving invasive ants

Hunting by Kenyan lions impeded in ‘ecological chain reaction’ as big-headed ants fail to stop elephants stripping acacia trees – the cats’ ambush cover

Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice

In Africa, a _____ bug called the big-headed ant is making _____ for lions. These ants are stopping lions from hunting _____.

The big-headed _____ are new in the area. They are changing the _____ in that area. These trees help lions hide when they _____.

The local ants protect the trees _____ elephants. They bite the elephants, and the elephants go _____. But the big-headed ants _____ the local ants and take the trees. These new ants _____ protect the trees.

Elephants damage more trees _____ the new ants live. In areas with the new ants and _____, there are fewer trees. But lions _____ trees to hunt zebras. 

Lions hunt _____ zebras in areas with many trees and _____ big-headed ants.

Lions are safe now, but scientists are _____ about more big-headed ants. If more trees are _____, it could change the area and the food for animals like rhinos and _____.