Tracking Koalas In Australia | February 28, 2025

Summary

In this episode of CNN 10, KY W kicks off the show with a shout-out to North Dorchester Middle School and dives into various global stories. North Korea reopens its borders to Western tourists for the first time in five years, with strict controls and limited access to the country. The segment also highlights conservation efforts for koalas in Australia, particularly after the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires. A segment on artist Jerry Hackett showcases his incredible toothpick recreations of historic buildings. Finally, KY W wraps up with shout-outs to schools and encourages kindness for the weekend.

Takeaways

• 😀 North Korea reopens to tourists for the first time in 5 years, with **Rason** being the first destination, while **Pyongyang** remains closed.
• 😀 Tourists in North Korea experience highly controlled trips, with strict itineraries and no unauthorized photos allowed.
• 😀 Some travelers manage to visit North Korea despite the US State Department ban, using alternate passports, like Wendy Arbide with both US and German passports.
• 😀 Koalas, now endangered, face severe threats due to deforestation and climate change in **Australia**.
• 😀 A breeding center in **New South Wales** works to restore koala populations, aiming to release juvenile koalas back into the wild.
• 😀 **Max**, a trained dog, helps conservationists track koalas by detecting their droppings, aiding in habitat mapping.
• 😀 The 2019-2020 Australian bushfires devastated koala populations, killing or harming over 60,000 koalas.
• 😀 **Jerry Hackett**, an artist from Minnesota, creates replicas of historic buildings using thousands of toothpicks, showcasing patience and craftsmanship.
• 😀 Hackett’s most recent project, a replica of Dakota County’s first courthouse, took him 3 months and about 4,000 toothpicks to complete.
• 😀 In addition to news, the segment features shout-outs to various schools including **Juno Alaska Menena River Community School**, **Hyde Middle School** in Cupertino, and **PS10 School** in Brooklyn.
• 😀 The segment wraps with a positive message encouraging viewers to make someone smile with a kind word this weekend.

Q & A

Why is North Korea reopening tourism after five years?

North Korea is reopening tourism to its remote economic zone, Rason, for the first time since the pandemic began. This is seen as a step toward limited state-controlled Western tourism, although Pyongyang remains closed to foreign visitors.

What is the current situation for tourists in North Korea?

Tourists visiting North Korea are allowed to tour the Rason area, though itineraries are tightly controlled and unauthorized photos are prohibited. The experience is highly curated, and visitors often feel like they are on a school field trip.

How do the North Korean citizens view the potential for future meetings between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump?

North Koreans are aware of Donald Trump's presidency and the breakdown of talks during his first term. Many are open to the idea of a future meeting between Kim Jong-un and Trump, provided Kim Jong-un is willing to engage.

Why is the koala population in Australia endangered?

Koalas are endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation and the devastating bushfires of 2019-2020, which killed or harmed over 60,000 koalas. Climate change also poses a significant threat to their survival.

What is the role of the Koala Conservation Australia center?

The Koala Conservation Australia center aims to help the koala population rebound by breeding genetically healthy koalas in a controlled environment and releasing them back into the wild to boost existing populations.

How does the canine Max assist in koala conservation efforts?

Max, a trained English Springer Spaniel, helps conservationists by sniffing out koala scat, which allows them to track the movements and habitats of wild koalas. This information is crucial for protecting their habitat and ensuring their survival.

What makes Max's role in tracking koalas significant?

Max's ability to detect koala scat allows conservationists to map the wide range of habitats necessary for koala survival. This data is vital for preserving their environment and ensuring long-term species survival.

What unique materials does Jerry Hackett use in his artwork?

Jerry Hackett uses thousands of toothpicks to create detailed replicas of historic buildings, including one of Dakota County’s first courthouse. His work is known for its intricacy and the amount of time and patience it takes to complete.

How long did it take Jerry Hackett to complete his replica of Dakota County’s first courthouse?

It took Jerry Hackett three months and approximately 4,000 toothpicks to complete his replica of Dakota County’s first courthouse.

What advice does the show give at the end of the segment?

At the end of the segment, the show encourages viewers to spread kindness by offering a simple, kind word to someone, emphasizing that small acts of kindness can have a significant impact.