A Silent Extinction
Close Read Passage, 519 words, Persuasive (nonfiction), Problem and Solution, Level Z2 (Grade 6), Lexile 1150L
In the wild, giraffe numbers have declined almost 40 percent in the past thirty years. In some African countries, they have vanished completely. Their decline is often referred to as a silent extinction. Although the animal isn't native to the United States, this passage lays out reasons to list it under the Endangered Species Act. By doing so, the ESA could provide the giraffe more protection—and gain it more attention.
