Akela wrote:
There are 70 to 100 Florida panthers alive today. This represents a very large increase over their numbers in the 1970s, but their population must reach at least 250 if it is to be self-sustaining. Their current habitat is not large enough to support any more of these animals, however.
If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also be true?
(A) Some part of the panthers’ current habitat is only of marginal quality.
(B) If the population of Florida panthers ever exceeds 250, it will be self-sustaining.
(C) Unless Florida panthers acquire a larger habitat, their population will not be self-sustaining.
(D) The population of Florida panthers will never increase much beyond its current level.
(E) Today, Florida panthers occupy a larger habitat than they did in the 1970s.
From the question stem it looks like an inference question
(A) Some part of the panthers’ current habitat is only of marginal quality.
Irrelevant and not mentioned anywhere in the passage.
(B) If the population of Florida panthers ever exceeds 250, it will be self-sustaining.
It is directly mentioned in the passage.
(C) Unless Florida panthers acquire a larger habitat, their population will not be self-sustaining.
Can be inferred from the passage. Till the time population doesn't reach 250 its not self sustaining and in current habitat the population cant grow hence in current habitat population cannot be self-sustaining. Correct.
(D) The population of Florida panthers will never increase much beyond its current level.
if the size of the habitat increases then the population can increase. Incorrect.
(E) Today, Florida panthers occupy a larger habitat than they did in the 1970s.
Cant be concluded from the passage. Maybe the habitat was bigger and Panthers were dying due to another reason like hunting.
Hence C is the correct answer.