Eight children are sent to investigate the challenge of protecting the animals’ natural habitat whilst allowing local people to farm so they can feed their families and build homes, even if that causes deforestation.
An introduction to Madagascar, an island in the Indian ocean of the West Coast of Africa.
The country is home to rare and unique animals, 80% of which can be found nowhere else on the planet.
This clip is from the series Deadly Dilemmas.
Teacher Notes
Could be used to start a discussion for and against deforestation.
The class could be divided into pairs and asked to formulate an argument for and against deforestation.
Questions that could be posed to the class include: How far do you think the human population should go to protect the lemurs?
What will happen to the local people if they are prevented from farming?
Children could be asked in two opposing lines representing both sides of the argument (conscience alley).
Select a child to walk through the middle while both sides say/shout/whisper their argument.
Discuss who the child listened to and why.
Summarise different sides of the argument, clarify the strengths and weaknesses of different positions and choose individuals to signal personal opinion clearly.
As a further activity, children could write an argument in role either as a local farmer or conservationist.
They could produce a poster campaign about a particular flagship species or write a letter arguing for more farm land.
Curriculum Notes
This clip will be relevant for teaching Geography at KS3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 3rd and 4th Level in Scotland.
More from Deadly Dilemmas:
The balance between tourism and conservation in Madagascar. video
The children ask whether Madagascar would be better without tourism. They work with local people to make whale souvenirs and consider links between economy and conservation.
How fishing on the coral reef in Madagascar causes habitat destruction. video
Children in Madagascar consider if it is acceptable to allow people to feed their families by fishing on the reef even though it causes habitat destruction.
The food dilemma in Madagascar. video
Eight children are sent to visit the exotic island of Madagascar to discover how people and animals are able to survive there together.
Protecting endangered species in Madagascar. video
The children learn that several species of animal may become extinct in their lifetimes and go in search of a Fusa but are unable to find one in the wild.
