• What caused Mergen Markov to become a poacher? (Cause and Effect)
After the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, many people had trouble finding work, and food became more expensive. Markov returned to his village of Argut after serving in the Russian army. His father had taught him how to track and kill snow leopards, and he knew he could make good money selling their pelts.
• How does the map “Where Snow Leopards Roam” support the article? (Text Features)
The map supports the article by showing snow leopards’ current range within 12 countries across Central Asia. The map also shows where the Altai Republic is located in Russia, which helps readers understand where Markov lives.
• What evidence supports the idea that the WWF program is helping snow leopards make a comeback? (Text Evidence)
In 2021, eight snow leopard guards have taken hundred of pictures with about 30 camera traps set up in Sailugemsky National Park. Poaching has decreased, while the number of snow leopards there has increased, from as few as 2 to 15. The snow leopard population is also increasing across the Altai Republic as a whole. Additionally, the program is helping people like Markov’s neighbors and daughter appreciate the animals.
• Choose one of the images in the article to analyze. What do you notice about it? What do you wonder? (Visual Literacy)
Sample response: The image of snow leopard pelts helps me understand how they are sold. I notice that the pelts are different sizes and shapes and some of them have been turned into hats. I wonder what the people selling them think about the animals and if they’re worried about the animals becoming extinct.