Many of the most beautiful animals in the
Antarctic and surrounding areas are endangered. If we are not careful, these
wonderful animals that are part of a larger ecosystem will soon be gone for
good. Animals of all shapes and sizes are at risk despite their endangered and
protected status.
Southern Right Whale
The Southern Right Whale is easily distinguished from other
whales by callosities on its head as well as a large mouth that arches downward
from right beneath the eyes. These whales do not have a dorsal fin and they are
dark gray or black and may or may not have white spots on their abdomen.
These whales are endangered due to the commercial whaling
industry. The whaling industry has been endangering this species since 1791 and
it wasn't until 1935 that it was realized that this species of whales was all
but gone. The Southern Right Whale was the first whale to receive a protected
status, meaning they could no longer be caught. Up until they received the
protective status it is known that at least 26,000 Southern Right Whales were
killed due to the whaling industry.
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest whale in the sea. They usually
grow to about 80 feet and weigh in at 120 tons. The whale has eight-foot-long
flippers and a dorsal fin that is toward the rear. Blue whales are
distinguished not only by their size but also the blue gray skin with white or
gray spots.
Blue whales are endangered because of the whaling industry.
Throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s, tens of thousands of blue whales were killed
every year. The result was that by the 1960s there were an estimated 10,000
blue whales left. Ever since, the blue whale has been protected by
international law, meaning they are not to be captured or killed.
Amsterdam Albatross
The Amsterdam Albatross is a large bird that is chocolate
brown in the upper body and has a white face and throat, a white lower breast
and a brown undertail. The Amsterdam Albatross is endangered because its
numbers have fallen to an estimated 90 individuals and only 10 to 20 breeding
pairs. The numbers have been on the decline due to the presence of feral cats
that feed on the birds, fires, and long line fishing. Long line fishing and
avian cholera have contributed to much of the loss.
Northern
Royal Albatross
The northern royal albatross is a white and black albatross
that has a white head and neck and tail region and black wings. The species
lives in the Antarctic and surrounding regions. The northern royal albatross is
endangered because it has a very small breeding area that was negatively
impacted by storms in the 1980s, which has resulted in poor breeding ever
since. Since being listed as endangered, the numbers of individuals and
breeding pairs have remained stable.
Tristan
Albatross
The Tristan albatross is a large albatross that has a white
body and black wings, and without being up close, one may not be able to
distinguish between this albatross and others. The Tristan albatross is
endangered because it has a very small breeding range and a dwindling
population. Contributing to the dwindling population is long line fishing as
well as rats and mice preying on the eggs of the birds.
that's wat a pity, I have never seem these amazing animals， thx for post this for teaching us wat r we missing...
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