Lesson: Return of the Devils

Open the article online in presentation view. Zoom in on the map of Australia on page 21. Ask: What animals do you think of when you see Australia? Let students share their responses. Share that Australia has long been isolated from other land masses, so most of its animals are unique; roughly 90 percent of land mammals there are not found in the wild anywhere else! Show the Tasmanian devil on page 20. Explain that these animals once roamed mainland Australia, but today they are found on only one island (Tasmania, an island that’s part of the Australian continent). In recent years, about 80 percent of the remaining devil population has died out. Ask students what they think could have caused devils to go extinct in mainland Australia. Then ask what may be causing the current population decline.

Tell students there are efforts underway to address the population decline, which includes plans to reintroduce devils to mainland Australia. As a class, consider the possible benefits of this and discuss factors scientists need to consider before reintroducing a species to a habitat. (e.g., human development may have increased.) Watch the video “Historic Release of Tasmanian Devil to Mainland Australia.” Discuss possible benefits to the ecosystem if the reintroduction is successful.

Have students read the article and record causes of the devil’s decline. (Note: For more information on the infectious cancer that has reduced devil populations, use the February 13, 2017, Science World article “Devils Fight Back,” available online.) Then discuss information about the possible effects of reintroducing devils. Have students complete the “Examining Claims” skills sheet to evaluate different claims presented in the text.

Split the class into two groups. Have one group complete the “Fossil Map” skills sheet and the other the “Devil Decline” skills sheet. Reconvene and discuss what they learned.

Distribute the article’s “Check for Understanding.” After students complete it, discuss the post-reading question: Use evidence from the text to explain how the reintroduction of Tasmanian devils to mainland Australia could help protect other native species there.

⇨ VIDEO EXTRA: Watch a video about the reintroduction of Tasmanian devils to mainland Australia.