#IUCN website.

[endlingmusings]

"An animal once considered extinct in the wild has seen its classification changed to “endangered,” signifying a remarkable comeback.  The scimitar-horned oryx has recovered its numbers thanks to the efforts of conservationists and zoos worldwide, and they can now be seen wandering the plains of Chad’s Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve after they were first reintroduced in August 2016. On December 13, the oryx, also known more simply as the scimitar oryx, officially saw its status changed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Between 2016 and 2022, 285 scimitar oryx have been released in the unfenced area, and a population estimate in September 2022 put the total number of the species at 575.   “The change from the previous category of Extinct in Wild is genuine, as it results from the successful re-establishment of the species in the wild,” the IUCN’s website reads. According to the Good News Network, who described the news as a “tremendous achievement,” the change of classification for the scimitar oryx is the first time any animal has moved from the “extinct in the wild” designation to “endangered.” Further research from the scientific journal Animals reveals that another animal, Przewalski’s horse, was downgraded from extinct in the wild to endangered back in 2011, but the feat is exceptionally rare regardless.  Upon hearing the news, the Zoological Society of London’s senior conservation biologist Tim Wacher said: “The return of the scimitar-horned oryx is the result of a long-term conservation effort for the species – following in-depth, careful preparation, and championed and supported by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi.    “All Saharan antelope species are severely threatened, but this project is proof that with the right will and resources, we can secure a future for them all.”"

- Excerpt from "Scientists thrilled after horned animal once deemed extinct in wild upgraded to endangered species list: 'A tremendous achievement'" by Leo Collis.

[rate-every-bat]

Today's Bat: Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox

This regal species is one of the largest on Earth! They hail from the Philippines, where poaching and deforestation have caused them to lose a large amount of habitat and landed them on the Endangered Species list. These two are preserving their modesty - look up pictures of these bad boys in flight, and you'll get an eyeful.

Environmental Impact: Being fig-eaters, flying foxes are HUGE for fertilization and seed dispersion! Their roosting sites are protected, but their figs are mostly sourced from old-growth trees, and they can travel up to 40 km (about 25 freedom units) a night for food. Their seed-laden poops could be vital for reforestation, if we protect them and their habitats.

🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇/5

Beauty: The most striking thing about a flying fox is, of course, their size. A Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox can have a wingspan exceeding five feet, meaning they're longer than I am tall. Each bat has a namesake golden patch of fur crowning their head. You might also notice their wide, soulful eyes - that's because, like most megabat species, these guys rely on eyesight rather than echolocation for navigation. They even bathe themselves, using their giant wings to scoop water! Seemingly perfect, but I'm docking a point for the many penises I had to look at while choosing a picture.

🦇🦇🦇🦇/5

Power: My first instinct says their sheer size should earn top marks, but I wouldn't say a fig puts up much of a fight. Additionally, flying foxes are known to frequently abandon offspring when threatened, which is decidedly unpowerful.

🦇🦇🦇/5

Overall: My heart goes out to these little (giant) dudes. They're already extinct in several of their endemic habitats, and their population is decreasing. For more information on their conservation status, look at the IUCN Red List website.

🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇/5

(Today's sources: Animalia, Bat Conservation International)

[felidae-abyss]

Cheetah

AKA: spotted one (indian original name)

Acinonyx jubatus

Felidae family, acinonyx genus

Ultimate Infodump Sheet

General description

Cheetahs have pale yellow, grayish or fawn coats, covered in tiny black spots. The belly fur is lighter than the rest, while the color tends to darken on the back. Cheetahs have distinctive markins under the eyes that go down the muzzle, called a tear mask. They have black rings around the last third of the tail.

The cheetah's paws are long and narrow. They have semi-retractile claws on the front paws, and non-retractile claws on the hind paws.

Cheetahs' head-body length ranges from 112 to 150 cm (44 to 59"), and they are 67 to 94 cm (26 to 37") tall at the shoulder. Cheetahs weight between 21 and 72 kg (46 to 158 lbs). Males are usually larger than females.

They live 6 years on average in the wild, and 19 in captivity.

King cheetahs

The patterns of a king cheetah are caused by a slight melanism. Overall, the spots are bolder, sometimes even forming stripes. They have large stripes along the entierty of thair back, and rings are present on most of the tail.

Physical aptitudes

Cheetahs are the fastest land animal. The highest speed recorded for a cheetah was 113 km/h (70 mi/h). They are the only big cat able to turn in the air while sprinting. They use their tail for steering while they are running. They are bad tree climbers.

Contrary to members of the panthera genus, they do not roar: instead, cheetahs can purr, meow, chirp and yeep.

Habitat

Cheetahs live in savanna, shrublands, grasslands, wetalands, rocky areas, and in the desert. Due to their light weight, they are capable of living in dunes.

Cheetahs present in several small areas of Africa, in countries such as Algeria, Angola, Benin, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda... They are extint on an alarmingly large portion of Africa.

Diet

Cheetahs are carnivorous. Their diet includes gazelles (especially the Thompson's gazelle), impalas, as well as other small ungulates. They also prey on hares, birds, and other small animals.

Cheetahs charge from 70 to 100 meters (27 to 40 feet) away from the prey. They strangle the animal with their jaws. The chase can only last 500 meters (196 feet), and cheetahs can only maintain their top velocity for a few hundred meters.

Contrary to most felids, cheetahs are diurnal and hunt primarily during the day.

Reproduction

Cheetahs reproduce year-long, but mostly during wet season. Makes provide no parental care, and only interact with females during mating. If the female encounters a coalition, she will most likely reproduce with several males.

Gestation lasts between 90 and 95 days (about 3 months). Cubs open their eyes 4 to 11 days after birth, and start walking after 12 days. The litter size in the wild is 1 to 6 cubs, with an average of 3. In captivity, litters with 8 cubs have been recorded. Cubs are weaned between 3 and 6 months, and become independent between 15 and 17 months.

Cheetah cubs have a long, blue-ish gray mane along their head, neck and back, called "mantle". They gradually lose this fur until they reach adolescence. A study suggests that the mantle makes cubs ressemble honey badgers, which aids them to survive as a lot of animals avoid honey badgers.

Predation is the highest on cheetah cubs. The survival rate in Serengeti National Park, where several large carnivores live, is of only 17%.

Endangered

Cheetahs are classified as vulnerable in the IUCN Redlist. The population is fragmented and keeps on decreasing.

The causes are all human: climate change, energy production and mining, urban development, agriculture, roads, hunting, human intrusion, modification of natural systems, invasive species....

Extra links

An interesting, well illustrated informational website that I wish I'd found earlier in writing this

Amazing footage of a cheetah hunting a wildebeest

SOURCES

[amcattos]

© LIA 2023

Cattolotl (CR)

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) may be pretty popular pets and internet stars with their silly antics and strange appearance but unfortunately in the wild, they are now critically endangered. They remain at only three sites and their population is estimated to be between 50 to 1000 individuals. Their decline has been mainly attributed to the increasing urbanisation of Mexico City resulting in pollution and desiccation of their aquatic home. Previous collection for the international pet trade, local consumption, and the introduction of invasive carp and tilapia have also threatened the species.

Find out more on the IUCN RedList website.

[rabbitcruiser]

The United States Congress created Endangered Species Day in 2006 with the adoption of Senate Resolution 431. The resolution encouraged "the people of the United States to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide." It also encouraged schools to spend at least 30 minutes teaching students about the day; encouraged groups such as businesses, organizations, private landowners and agencies to collaborate on educational information for the schools; and encouraged people of the United States "to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities." In short, the day is for learning why it's important to protect endangered species, for learning how to take part in protection efforts, and for celebrating species that have recovered as a result of these efforts.

Each year, events are held on the day and throughout the month in places such as zoos, parks, aquariums, museums, wildlife refuges, schools, and botanical gardens. There are often speakers, tours, exhibits, and children's activities. Every year, there is also a National Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest, where students in grades K-12 learn about endangered or threatened wildlife and support conservation with their art.

Conservation efforts have helped with the recovery of many species, such as the gray wolf, gray whale, grizzly bear, whooping crane, Kirtland's warbler, and peregrine falcon. Some animals, such as the gray wolf, bald eagle, and American alligator have recovered in large part because of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973. In general, species are saved by the combination of research, coordination, intensive management of conservation efforts, increased public awareness, and education. Human awareness is important because many of the main drivers of extinction of species are caused by humans. Some of the leading causes of extinction are overhunting, overfishing, global warming, pollution, habitat fragmentation, and invasive species.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species does the most comprehensive worldwide accounting of threatened species, by listing plants, animals, fungi, and algae. Species can be listed between "near threatened" and "extinct," with "endangered" being in the middle. Over 27,000 plants and animals are listed as threatened with extinction, appearing somewhere on the scale. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act determines how threatened species are classified, and species are usually assessed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. About 700 animal species and 900 plant species are threatened or endangered in the country. Because of the many threats that species face, it is fitting there is an Endangered Species Day.

How to Observe Endangered Species Day

Today should be centered around learning about threats to species, becoming educated on how you can help to protect species and then working to help them, and celebrating species that have been recovered. There are many ways these things can be done, as well as other ways the day can be celebrated!

Learn about endangered species at the websites of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Learn about some of the issues that species face that cause them to become endangered, such as overhunting, overfishing, global warming, pollution, habitat fragmentation, and invasive species.

Find an event to attend. Many often take place at zoos, parks, aquariums, museums, wildlife refuges, schools, and botanical gardens. Check in your community or online for events.

Host an event. Use the online toolkit to help you with your planning.

Donate to groups that support conservation efforts, such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the World Wildlife Fund, the Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Wildlife Federation.

Learn about some endangered species that have recovered.

If you are a teacher, implement information about endangered species into your lessons today. If you are a young person, participate in the National Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest (the deadline to enter precedes the day). If you are a college student, read some online suggestions on how to celebrate the day.

Watch an environmental film, a documentary about endangered animals, or a film about endangered species from the Video Project.

Read a book about endangered species.

Source

[poelliottpovey]

Exotic and endangered birds

All screenshots and bird info from: https://www.ifaw.org/uk/journal/18-most-endangered-birds

Why is the yellow-crested cockatoo endangered? The yellow-crested cockatoo, a medium sized white parrot native to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, is critically endangered. There are an estimated 1200-2000 individuals remaining in the wild, and their population is sadly still decreasing. The yellow-crested cockatoo’s decline is primarily due to cage-bird trade and trafficking, which effectively became illegal in 1994 after being included in Appendix I of CITES; however, illegal trapping of these birds continues in many areas. Because they breed in large tree hollows, logging and agriculture also indirectly threaten their survival.

Are Amazon parrots endangered? Out of 36 species of Amazon parrots assessed by the IUCN, five are endangered and four are critically endangered, namely the imperial Amazon, lilacine Amazon, Puerto Rican Amazon, and yellow-naped Amazon. Two species have gone extinct—the Guadeloupe Amazon and the Martinique Amazon.

What is a nuthatch? Nuthatches are a genus of birds with large heads, short tails, and strong, pointed beaks. Most species are blue-grey with black eyebrows. Bahama nuthatches have brown heads and white underbellies.

What is the mangrove finch? The mangrove finch is a species in Darwin’s finch group, part of the tanager family, with dull brown, olive-toned, and white plumage. It’s native to the Galápagos.

What is a bunting? Buntings are a family of passerine (perching) birds from Europe, Asia, and Africa. Related to finches, they eat seeds and are commonly recognised by their typically brown, streaked feathers and bold markings on their heads.

What is the New Zealand storm petrel? Native to the waters between New Zealand’s North Island and eastern Australia, the New Zealand storm petrel is a small seabird. Similar to the more common Wilson’s storm petrel, it has a black head, wings, and tail and a bright white stripe around its back. This bird only comes to land to breed and spends the rest of its life at sea.

There are a lot more birds and information on the website i listed and it makes me really upset that so many birds have gotten to this point of near extinction and a lot of it is because of humans. deforestation leads to birds loss of habitat. even environmental factors, if a species environment is no longer a liveable space for that animal a person could make the point that if an animal cant live in the place they live in then its the animals 'fault' for not adapting to their environment, but due to humans effect on the planet a lot of the time that changes the environment to quickly for the species to keep up.

i wanted to make my world somewhat realistic so i wanted to have a look at endangered birds to find one i could use as the one that 'bird man' is protecting but after looking through the pictures and info i have decided to change him up a bit, he's not just protecting one bird, he's protecting as many endangered birds on his giant ship as he can. i think that would be a lot mor interesting and fit his character better, as he's meant to be a strong but kind man.

[azaleakamellia]

🧰 Publicly available data

Hunting for spatial data comes naturally now. There seems to be less and less opportunity for doubts when we could attach a pair of coordinates to some places.

For work and hobby, hunting for data take almost half of the usable hours I set aside to execute certain objectives; if not 100%. Although the internet is a vast plain of data, not all of them are usable. The democratization of data is a subject that is to translucent to discuss but to solid to argue with. Thus, with differing opinions, we get different versions of them online. Here are some of the interesting data platforms I manage to scour based on their thematic subject

🌳 Nature and Environment

Delta at Risk - Profiling Risk and Sustainability of Coastal Deltas of the World. I found this while lamenting on how people love asking for data addition into their maps at the eleventh hour. I find their confidence in my skills quite misleading but flattering nonetheless. But it does not make it any less troublesome.

Protected Planet - Discover the world's protected and conserved areas. This platform includes not just data of protected areas, but also other effective area-based conservation measures like ICCAs IUCN listing and as the website claims, it is updated regular via submissions from agencies. So far, I found this platform to be the most convenient since it rounds up all possible conservation-based themes which also includes World Heritage Sites.

Global Forest Change (2000-2020) - The global forest extent change since 2000 to the current year or lovingly referred to as the Hansen data by most forestry RS specialist. This data is updated annually and to be honest, the platforms are literally everywhere. But this platform is legitimate under Earth Engine Apps and you can refer to Google Earth Engine for future data updates to ease your search.

👩‍⚖️ Administrative Data

GADM - Map and spatial data for all countries and their sub-divisions.

🏦 Built-environment Data

OpenStreet Map - This database is the most amazing feat of tech-aware crowdsourcing. A little more than 2 decades ago, some 'experienced' gate-keeping professionals would have refuted its legitimacy within an inch of their lives but OSM has proven that time prevails when it comes to bringing the accessibility and network data into practical use. I am not that adept with downloading from this website so I go directly to a more manual data download. My favorite is the Geofabrik Download but you can also try Planet OSM.

🎮 Other Cool Data

OpenCell ID - Open database platform of global cell towers. Cleaning the data is a nightmare but I think it is just me. I have little patience for cerebral stuff.

So, those are some of the data I managed to dig for personal projects. Hope it helps you guys too!

[hadalzonee]

bro i found the iucn global ecosystems website and i had to stop myself from abandoning my work to just play around on it for hours

[majesticanimalphotography]

🐅Today, we spotlight the Sumatran Tiger, an epitome of grace and power.

🕕Lifespan🕕: 10-15 Years

🌪 Top Speed🌪: 64.4 km/h

🏋‍♂️Weight🏋‍♀️: Males: 140.6 kg, Females: 90.7 kg

📏 Size📏: Up to 2.5 meters in length

🔴 IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered 🔴

Sumatran Tigers are the epitome of wild resilience, embodying the spirit of the dense Sumatran forests they call home.

🍽️Carnivorous Diet🦌

With a diet primarily consisting of wild boar, birds, and deer, Sumatran Tigers are skilled hunters who play a crucial role in their ecosystem's balance.

🌏Conservation Urgency🌿

Labelled as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 400 individuals believed to be remaining in the wild, the Sumatran Tiger’s existence is hanging by a thread. Conservation efforts are of paramount importance to ensure their survival.🚨

🌪️Threats and Challenges🌲

The threats of habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching continue to loom large over the Sumatran Tiger population. The road to recovery demands a collective effort to mitigate these threats.

Join us in shedding light on the Sumatran Tiger’s plight and the wild beauty it represents! 🌳🌦️

📸 Unveiling the wild, one click at a time. 📸🌿

🔗 explore more on my website (link in bio)

[dulieuphapluat]

Công văn 4877/VPCP-KGVX năm 2023 của Văn phòng Chính phủ về việc khuyến nghị của IUCN đối với Hồ sơ "Vịnh Hạ Long - Quần đảo Cát Bà" đề nghị UNESCO ghi danh Di sản thế giới

Công văn 4877/VPCP-KGVX năm 2023 của Văn phòng Chính phủ về việc khuyến nghị của IUCN đối với Hồ sơ "Vịnh Hạ Long - Quần đảo Cát Bà" đề nghị UNESCO ghi danh Di sản thế giới được ban hành ngày 03/07/2023. Nguồn bài viết https://dulieuphapluat.vn/van-ban/van-hoa-the-thao-du-lich/cong-van-4877vpcp-kgvx-nam-2023-cua-van-phong-chinh-phu-ve-viec-khuyen-nghi-cua-iucn-doi-voi-ho-so-vinh-ha-long-quan-dao-cat-ba-de-nghi-unesco-ghi-danh-di-san-the-gioi-1115620/ Tra cứu văn bản pháp luật miễn phí tại Website dulieuphapluat.vn

[ultra-maha-us]

Bringing Wetlands to the Carbon Market

Recently, there has been a lot of attention directed towards the role of wetlands in climate change mitigation, perhaps to make up for the fact that generally speaking they have largely been ignored by mainstream carbon offsetting programmes. For example, wetlands hardly get a mention in the UN collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD). To the present time, a degree of progress has been made in developing methodologies for wetlands carbon offsetting projects of potential use in generating carbon credits. One of the most recent developments in the field is a unique study reported in the March issue of BioScience, the journal of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). The study looks into the environmental benefits of created wetlands and it may prove to be useful downstream as a model for wetland reclamation or replacement projects.

The study was conducted as a 15-year experiment aimed at developing two one-hectare wetlands in the state of Ohio, to be created by pumping water from the nearby Olentangy River. One of the wetlands was planted manually, with vegetation in the other being left to develop naturally. Bioscience reported the study as suggesting that wetlands created to replace losses due to environmental degradation or land development can also take carbon from the atmosphere and thus assist in mitigating the greenhouse effect. The study indicated that while the manually planted wetland showed more variety, the naturally generated one took more carbon from the atmosphere. In any event, the study provides a basis for future wetland restoration projects and may be particularly useful in determining the degree of human intervention necessary for such projects to be successful.

As noted at the outset, wetlands in general have largely been overlooked by climate policy impact decision-makers, especially with regards to compliance markets for carbon credits. Yet wetland areas provide valuable ecosystem services, notably biodiversity maintenance, flood support and storm mitigation and, in the case of freshwater wetlands such as peatlands, they even supply drinking water. And to the extent that wetland areas act as carbon sinks, their loss can have serious environmental consequences. Happily however, the ability of wetlands to sequester carbon might provide the very incentive for their restoration inasmuch as projects aimed at preserving and restoring wetlands are a potential source of carbon credits.

Pertinently, the American Carbon Registry (ACR), a voluntary offset programme, announced in January 2012 that it was planning to approve a modular methodology for deltaic wetland restoration. According to the ACR press release, the new methodology, which is to be applied to restoration activities for degraded wetlands of the Mississippi delta, might in the future be expanded to wetland restoration in other regions.

The option for earning carbon credits through wetland restoration and conservation (WRC) projects is also being explored by the Verified Carbon Standard (VSC). Its website indicates that new requirements for crediting the climate benefits of WRC activities are currently under development and will be released in mid-2012. The purpose of those requirements is to create a broad new category for carbon credit projects from all wetland areas, including freshwater tidal coastal wetlands, mangroves, salt marshes and peatlands.

Peatlands in particular are already covered by the existing VCS requirements for peatland rewetting and conservation (PRC), a classification which has been an important step in bringing this wetland subcategory to the carbon credit market. In the UK, for instance, peatlands are the focus of significant environmental concerns, with a report prepared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in November 2011 warning that the loss of as little as five percent of the 2.7 million hectares of peatland in Britain would equal the UK's annual carbon emissions and thus imperil achievement of the country's emission reduction targets. The IUCN report, entitled "Cinderella habitat: overlooked and undervalued", asserts that there is potential for peatland funding through private financing initiatives under carbon markets and urges focused action and investment in peatland restoration as a cost-effective approach to carbon emissions reduction.

[crystallogicshop]

Palo Santo – Sustainability and Disambiguation

For the past couple of years, Katie and I have used Palo Santo in our practice and invested more for it to be ethically sourced. We know some of you don't use Palo Santo at all because you heard it is endangered. Hopefully this article will shed some light on what Palo Santo is, help with some disambiguation, and give you the opportunity to make a more informed decision when purchasing Palo Santo in the future.

What is Palo Santo?

Palo Santo, a.k.a. Bursera graveolens, is a wild tree native to the countries of Ecuador & Peru. It is most often encountered in the form of its heartwood or essential oil. The wood is commonly burned in nature similar to incense by allowing the smoke to cleanse an area. Its essence is believed to energetically clear a space of any lingering stagnant energy. Diffusion of the essential oil may be used for those sensitive to smoke. The essential oil can also be externally applied to the body via dilution with carrier oils to activate its pleasantly therapeutic qualities and increase one's relaxation. This heavenly aromatic wood has been used for generations, and we work passionately to protect its place within contemporary conscious culture.

Not to be confused with…

“Palo Santo” is a common name that is used for several different & distinctly unrelated botanical species. Another species, known as Bulnesia sarmientoi is also referred to as "Palo Santo" in its native countries of Argentina & Paraguay.

Bulnesia sarmientoi was listed as endangered in the 2018 publication of the IUCN Red List, due to the deforestation of Gran Chaco and a strong global demand since 2001. IUCN estimates indicate that over three generations the global population will decline by around 50%.

Bulnesia sarmientoi is still listed as an endangered species.

Localization

They are two distinctly separate species, native to geographically different regions of South America & utilized for different applications. Bursera graveolens used in aromatherapy and various spiritual practices is a tree that originates in the dry forests of Ecuador & Perú, while Bulnesia sarmientoi originates from Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

We offer sustainably sourced Palo Santo as a single stick, as well as bundles of 2 and 6 sticks, and as 1/4lb bag, which contains approx. 20-25 smudge sticks.

Wanna know more?

Visit our website to know more about Palo Santo, what both species are used for, the IUCN Red List of endangered species, sustainability, and our commitment:

[exclusivepiner]

Columbus zoo cheetah

The Wilds, one of the largest conservation centers in North America, is home to rare and endangered animals from around the world along with hundreds of indigenous species. Due to threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, conflict with livestock and game farmers and unregulated tourism, cheetahs now inhabit just 10 percent of their historic range in Africa and are almost completely extirpated from their historic range in Asia.įor more information about conservation initiatives at The Wilds and to book a Winter at The Wilds Tour, please visit The Wilds’ website. From working with communities living within cheetahs’ native ranges and helping to reduce farmers’ livestock losses to cheetahs by introducing Anatolian shepherd guard dogs, to assisting with health exams of cheetahs in Africa and learning more about cheetah populations through camera traps, scat analysis and habitat monitoring, we remain dedicated to working with our conservation partners to make a positive impact on the future of cheetahs,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President/CEO Tom Stalf.Īccording to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), cheetahs are considered vulnerable in their native ranges in Africa. “As an organization committed to wildlife conservation, we recognize the importance of helping to preserve a sustainable cheetah population in human care, and we are also grateful for the support of our Ohio communities as this enables us to continue contributing to projects benefiting cheetahs in Africa. The Wilds is one of nine cheetah breeding centers created through this initiative to ensure a sustainable cheetah population in human care. The cubs’ birth was the result of breeding recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Cheetah Sustainability Program-part of a Species Survival Plan® (SSP)-a program coordinated by AZA and Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) to manage a sustainable population of cheetahs, whose numbers are declining in their native range. “The birth of these rare cheetah cubs is cause for celebration. They are adorable, but more importantly their births represent a significant contribution to the sustainability of this species’ population, and we are extremely proud to be directly involved in protecting the future of cheetahs,” said The Wilds Vice President Dr. Finnick has been the father of three previous litters at The Wilds.Īlthough Pumzika and her cubs will not be out of their behind-the-scenes den for a few months, guests may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the litter in their den on a television monitor in the Carnivore Center at The Wilds during a Wildside Tour sometime within the next several weeks. Finnick is seven years old and came to The Wilds from the White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee, Fla. During these exams, the team learned that the litter consists of three males and three females, and the cubs appear to be healthy and are growing steadily.įive-year-old Pumzika was born at the San Diego Safari Park and arrived at The Wilds in July 2019. Yesterday, staff worked diligently and quickly to provide well checks on all of the cubs. Because Pumzika is a first-time mom, The Wilds’ animal management team continues to ensure that any potential disturbance of the cubs and their mother in their den box is limited and minimal. This litter is Pumzika’s, first, and The Wilds’ animal management team notes that she is providing great care to her cubs. Cumberland, OH – The Wilds welcomed a litter of six cheetah cubs born at the conservation facility on October 30 to mother, Pumzika, and father, Finnick.

[obaewankenope]

Are there any cool sharks that have sadly gone extinct? Or are in danger of going extinct?

So I've actually gone and signed up for an account on the IUCN website to look into this specifically without spending ten million years trying to find the answer. A short summary of those at risk of extinction and those already extinct below :)

According to the IUCN’s Red List (which basically gives you a run down on how close or far an animal is to extinction), searching “sharks” and narrowing down the search to CR (critically endangered), EN (endangered), and VU (vulnerable), I got 420 hits. Of those, it will include animals that have “shark” in their name; which may include non-shark fish. But I can at least narrow it down a bit further using taxonomy as a means to filter out non-shark animals. This means, for taxonomy, we look for “Chondrichthyes” as a class of animals; aka sharks and rays.

The result then narrows down to 416. These are sharks. And now I can sort the order of results from VU right the way down to CR (lower to high on the concern scale). Since we want to know the most at risk first, I can reverse this sorting so it’s most to least in danger.

There’s been no recently extinct sharks, according to the IUCN’s list, but that’s not to say shark species aren’t at great risk of extinction, or aren’t critically endangered because of a range of reasons. 

So, at the top of the list we have:

Scalloped Hammerhead

Angelshark

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Hidden Angelshark

Argentine Angelshark

Chilean Angelshark

Humpback Smoothhound

Indian Swellshark

Daggernose Shark

Ganges Shark

Dwarf Gulper Shark

Reticulated Swellshark

Striped Smoothhound

Scoophead Shark

Sarawak Pygmy Swell Shark

Pondicherry Shark

Pacific Smalltail Shark

Borneo Shark

Shorttail Nurse Shark

Lost Shark

Smoothback Angelshark

I’ve excluded rays from this list since they’re a different sub-branch of the Chonrichthyes class to sharks. That gives us 21 sharks classed as critically endangered (aka at risk of extinction) so far on the list. This is only from the first page, by the way. 

Out of the list, one shark is potentially thought to be extinct which is the Lost Shark (good name). Only 3 specimens of the species have been found in Borneo, Thailand, and Vietnam; all are over 80 years old. They were mistaken for a species of Smalltail Shark at first, but now they’re considered to be their own species. As a result, IUCN’s Red List classifies the Lost Shark as CR or possibly extinct.

This made me sad. I need to go cuddle Greg the Mako Shark who lives on my bed to feel better now.

[rabbitcruiser]

World Giraffe Day

Donate to help preserve the strange, long-necked majestic creatures known as giraffes. Visit a preserve, and see if you can meet one in person.

With their long, swaying necks, distinctive pattern on their furry coats and those endless spindly legs, giraffes are some very odd-looking creatures when you really think about it. But we love them – and that’s why they’ve got a day of their own!

Whether you’re into conserving their native habitats, enjoy hanging out with our necky friends at the zoo or you just appreciate the joy of nature’s most weird and wonderful creatures, World Giraffe Day is a day of observance when you can really put your neck out!

The History of World Giraffe Day

The conservation and protection of wild animals have long been on our agenda – beautiful creatures such as giraffes are at risk in their natural habitat due to a number of factors, including poaching and destruction of their ecosystems and habitats.

World Giraffe Day was initiated by the GCF – the Giraffe Conservation Foundation – and hopes to bring awareness of the amazing animal’s plight to every concerned person across the world while also celebrating these quirky creatures.

According to the GCF, there are only around 100,000 giraffes left in the wild, meaning they are approaching high-risk status.

In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, giraffes have recently had their listed status changed to ‘Vulnerable to extinction’ – their numbers in Africa have dropped hugely by around 40% in just the last three decades alone.

Specifically, the Masai giraffe has lost half of its numbers in the last 30 years, and now only around 32000 are remaining in Tanzania and in southern Kenya.

For the most part, these drops in the population are due to the increase of human settlements and the loss of habitat that goes along with it.

It would be a tragedy if giraffes were to go extinct in the wild. Not only are they a friendly species, but they’re also an inspiration. They’re unique in the animal kingdom, owing to their long necks, and colorful markings.

Interestingly, there are four separate species of giraffe in the world. There’s the Masai giraffe that lives on the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Then there’s the reticulated giraffe, the southern giraffe that lives in countries like Botswana and the northern giraffe, which dominates much of the north of Africa. The giraffe, as you might guess, is the tallest animal in the world. And no two individuals have the same spots. Every giraffe is different, just like how two people never have the same fingerprints.

Unfortunately, giraffes are officially extinct in more than seven African countries, highlighting the need to protect them.

The GCF now has dozens of partners all over the world, committed to helping to preserve this majestic beast. Parks in western countries regularly organize activities and games to celebrate the day, including face-painting in the style of giraffe spots! Many zoos also provide visitors with the opportunity to meet expert giraffe keepers and learn more about how they live, both in captivity and the wild.

There’s a desperate need for an event like World Giraffe Day. These creatures, like elephants, lions, and hippos, are an inspiration for children all around the world and a leading driver of conservation efforts. It is almost impossible to imagine an Africa where these giant beasts don’t roam the savannah.

How to celebrate World Giraffe Day

The GCF website has plenty of information for you if you wish to donate to the effort of saving the world’s giraffe population, and you should certainly take a look if you are fond of the long-necked creatures.

Even small donations count towards helping, and just a little money can go towards helping to ensure the future safety of the Masai giraffe.

Many zoos across your country will be taking part in fundraising and observance of this day – so if you want to get involved, you could pop along and play your part. There are also opportunities to get involved via schools, NGOs, government institutions and conservation organizations too. Most of the work on the day itself will be to raise awareness of the plight of the giraffe and to engage the community on the issue. The giraffe needs people on the ground who understand the issues and are able to have an impact on the wider community.

Besides attending an event and donating money, what else can you do to celebrate World Giraffe Day? If you’re an artist, then you could try painting an image that captures the essence of these beasts. You can convey their giant, striding nature on canvas and then perhaps share your work on social media.

If you’re a writer, you could also pen an article on the dangers that giraffes face and the things that individuals can do to support the species for posterity. While the vast majority of your audience will care about the plight of these animals, they won’t necessarily know what steps they can take to make a difference. Giraffes are often thousands of miles away in other countries.

Your task, therefore, might be to create a resource that people can use to take action to protect giraffes. Alternatively, you could create a journalistic piece, chronicling current issues facing the species.

Be sure to share information about giraffe conservation on your social networking accounts, and get the conversation started about keeping these beautiful animals a part of our wildlife.

GCF began celebrating World Giraffe Day as a way to raise awareness. The best thing you can do, therefore, is to help them in their effort and protect this marvelous species.

Source

[funnywildlife]

Join @ctph_uganda @gladyskalemazikusoka & @igcp_21 and a host of great speakers tomorrow July 19th for the Launch of the Policy Brief on Responsible Tourism to Great Apes taking place in Kibale, Rwanda. Take part in the event to create more awareness on the importance of protecting great apes from diseases like COVID-19. Visit the IUCN APAC website to register and be part of the event. You can watch it live on ACBA YouTube Channel and follow the discussion on social media #APAC2022 #Future4GreatApes #OneHealth (at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgJyop3MxWB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=