1.
Amur Leopard-
The Amur Leopard, or Panthera pardus orientalis,
lives in the Russian Far East, and is a subspecies that has adapted to life in
the temperate forests there. It can run at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour,
and has been reported to leap more than 19 feet horizontally and 10 feet
vertically. These animals are critically endangered because China’s prey base
is insufficient to cover large populations of leopards and tigers, so there is
serious prey scarcity in their habitat. Also, these leopards are hunted for
their beautiful spotted fur, making poaching a problem. One way to help is by
symbolically adopting an Amur Leopard. Also, the World Wildlife Fund is
accepting monthly donations.
2.
Black Rhino-
European hunters are responsible for the
early decline of the Black Rhino, or Diceros bicornis, population. It was
common for five or six rhinos a day to be killed for food or amusement. Most
people regarded rhinos as pests and exterminated them at all costs. These rhinos
and rhinos in general, are one of the oldest groups of mammals, which basically
makes them living fossils. The black rhino has habitat changes and poaching to
credit for the population decline. Most of the time rhinos have three valuable
horns, making them huge targets for illegal trade in rhino horns. Today, the
poaching of the black rhino has reached record levels due to rising demand for
their horns. Ways to help are donating to the World Wildlife Fund or
symbolically adopting a black rhino.
3.
Leatherback Turtle-
Marine turtles are part of a group of
reptiles that has existed on earth and traveled the seas for the last 100 million
years. The leatherback turtle, or Dermochelys coriacea, in particular is the
world’s most endangered marine turtle. The population has slowly declined over
the last 20 years due to overharvesting of turtle eggs and getting caught in
nearby fishing nets. Their long migrations across the seas put them at great
risk of coming into contact with long line fisheries. Leatherback turtles also
feed mostly on jellyfish, making them vulnerable to swallowing plastic bags in
the ocean, which could kill them. The World Wildlife Fund is working with
fishing companies to get them to switch to more “turtle- friendly” hooks so
that the turtles are at less of a risk to get caught by them. Also the World
Wildlife Fund is accepting monthly donations, or offering the chance to
virtually adopt a leatherback turtle.
4.
Cross River Gorilla-
The cross river gorilla, or the Gorilla
gorilla diehli, has humans to think for its population decline. They live in a
region populated by many humans that have cleared forests for timber and to
create fields for livestock. Poaching is also a problem for these gorillas, and
even a small loss in numbers has a detrimental effect on this population. These
gorillas are also susceptible to inbreeding with other species of gorillas, and
since the cross river population is so minute, there is a risk of loss of
genetic diversity. The World Wildlife Fund is working with non-governmental
organizations and logging companies and promoting sustainable forestry. To help
the gorillas, the World Wildlife Fund is accepting monthly donations, or there
is an opportunity to symbolically adopt a cross river gorilla.
5.
Sumatran Elephant-
The Sumatran elephant, or Elephas maximus
sumatranus, is important to the forest ecosystem because it deposits seeds
everywhere it goes, keeping the forests healthy. These elephants have smaller tusks
than normal elephants, but they are enough to attract poachers who sell their
tusks on the illegal ivory market. Only the male elephants have tusks, making
them more of a target. This messes up the gender ratio, making breeding
difficult for the elephants. The general population decline is due to habitat
loss and human-elephant conflict. Deforestation puts the elephants in place to
come into contact with human settlements, and in turn the humans retaliate by
poisoning or shooting the elephants. The World Wildlife Fund has worked with
local partners to form anti-poaching patrols in Sumatra, and it is also working
to stop illegal trade of the ivory tusks. To help, donate to the World Wildlife
Fund or adopt a Sumatran elephant.
6.
Vaquita-
The vaquita, or Phocoena sinus, is found in
the Mexico Gulf of California. It is the world’s smallest porpoise, and it is
also the most endangered cetacean. The vaquita has natural predators such as
sharks, but it is mainly threatened by the fishing industry . They often get caught
in gillnets of fisherman and die. This is called bycatch and it is a major
problem for the species containing roughly 200 individuals. To save the
species, bycatching must be eliminated completely .The World Wildlife Fund has
been working on finding alternate fishing equipment that reduces the chance of
catching a vaquita. To help the vaquita, make a monthly donation to the World Wildlife
Fund or adopt a vaquita.
7.
Sumatran Orangutan-
The Sumatran orangutan, or Pongo abelii,
lives almost completely in the tops of trees, rarely coming down to the ground.
If these orangutans were to disappear, so would several tree species,
especially those with larger seeds that are spread exclusively by the
monkeys. One of the biggest problems the
orangutans face is hunting. They are captured from the wild and killed for
food, or they are kept in houses and serve as status symbols. Another problem
for them is habitat loss, mainly caused by fires and conversion of forests for
agricultural development. The World Wildlife Fund is working with their
partners to help governments enforce restrictions and laws against trade in
live animals. Options to help are donating to the World Wildlife Fund or
symbolically adopting a Sumatran orangutan.
8.
Western Lowland Gorilla-
The western lowland gorilla, or Gorilla
gorilla gorilla, population is declining because of disease and poaching. Their
numbers have gone down 60% over the last 25 years, and the estimated recovery
time for the species would be at least 75 years if all of the treats were
removed. The hunting and killing of these gorillas is illegal, but the animals
are still killed for meat, and babies are captured and kept as pets. Elbola is a deadly virus for both humans and
gorillas, and it has caused a number of massive die-offs. The World Wildlife Fund
is working in a habituation program for the gorillas, as well as an Ebola
vaccine for gorillas. Options to help the western lowland gorillas are making
monthly donations to the World Wildlife Fund or virtually adopting a gorilla.
9.
Hawksbill Turtle-
The hawksbill turtle, or Eretmochelys
imbricata, is primarily found throughout the world’s tropical oceans,
especially in coral reefs. These turtles face the threats of excessive egg
collection, fishing related deaths, pollution, coastal development, and habitat
destruction. Hawksbill turtles are especially susceptible to getting tangled up
in fishing nets or getting hooked on fishing lines. Marine turtles have to
reach the surface to breathe, so when they get caught and tangled in the nets,
they die because they cannot reach air. As fishing activity expands, it poses
an even greater threat to these turtles. World Wildlife Fund is working with
communities to reduce turtle harvesting and local trade, and they are spreading
how important it is to protect these creatures. To help these turtles, donate
to the World Wildlife Fund or adopt a turtle.
10. Sumatran
Tiger-
Accelerating deforestation and poaching are
the causes of population decline for the Sumatran tiger, or Panthera tigris
sumatrae. They are losing their habitat and prey fast, and poaching is showing
no signs of slowing down. The habitat of the tigers has been reduced
dramatically die to clearing for agriculture, settlement, and plantations. Most
Sumatran tigers are killed intentionally for commercial gain. Poaching is
responsible for 78% of tiger deaths, which consists of about 40 tigers a year.
Since their habitats are being destroyed, the tigers are coming into contact
with humans, which in turn kill the tigers for retaliation. World Wildlife Fund
is working to decrease Sumatran tiger poaching incidents and is helping
increase surveillance. To help the Sumatran tigers, make a monthly donation to
the World Wildlife Fund or adopt a tiger of your own.
Ashlee Holtzclaw
@acoleslaw98
No comments:
Post a Comment