Showing posts with label Endangered. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Endangered. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Monday, 8 October 2012
Animal Welfare Organisations Around the World
Here comes the world organizations!!
In order to protect animal more efficiently, people fund some organization around the world. We will give a brief introduction about some tipical organisations.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (commonly WSPA) is an international non-profit animal welfareorganization and also a federation of such organisations and active in over 50 countries with more than 1000 member societies. Their aim is to help people understand the critical importance of good animal welfare, encourage nations to commit to animal-friendly practices and build the scientific case for the better treatment of animals.
International Fund for Animal Welfare
The International Fund for Animal Welfare(IFAW) is currently one of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world. IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) saves animals in need all around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, we rescue individual animals, campaign to prevent animal cruelty and advocate for the protection of wildlife and habitats.
Animal Welfare Institute
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1951 with the goal of reducing pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Its legislative division, the Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL), pushes for the passage of laws that reflect this purpose.
National Animal Welfare Trust
The National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) is an animal welfare charity founded in 1971, which operates no-kill rescue centres for animals and birds. Its aim is that
the protection of animals of all kinds from ill-usage, cruelty and suffering,
and in particular, to rescue and provide care and shelter for stray, neglected and unwanted animals of all kinds and find suitable homes for any such animals.
References:
http://www.wspa-international.org/latestnews/default.aspx
http://www.ifaw.org/australia/our-work
http://www.nawt.org.uk/headquarters/index.asp
http://awionline.org/content/animal-programs
In order to protect animal more efficiently, people fund some organization around the world. We will give a brief introduction about some tipical organisations.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (commonly WSPA) is an international non-profit animal welfareorganization and also a federation of such organisations and active in over 50 countries with more than 1000 member societies. Their aim is to help people understand the critical importance of good animal welfare, encourage nations to commit to animal-friendly practices and build the scientific case for the better treatment of animals.
International Fund for Animal Welfare
The International Fund for Animal Welfare(IFAW) is currently one of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world. IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) saves animals in need all around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, we rescue individual animals, campaign to prevent animal cruelty and advocate for the protection of wildlife and habitats.
Animal Welfare Institute
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1951 with the goal of reducing pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Its legislative division, the Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL), pushes for the passage of laws that reflect this purpose.
National Animal Welfare Trust
The National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) is an animal welfare charity founded in 1971, which operates no-kill rescue centres for animals and birds. Its aim is that
the protection of animals of all kinds from ill-usage, cruelty and suffering,
and in particular, to rescue and provide care and shelter for stray, neglected and unwanted animals of all kinds and find suitable homes for any such animals.
References:
http://www.wspa-international.org/latestnews/default.aspx
http://www.ifaw.org/australia/our-work
http://www.nawt.org.uk/headquarters/index.asp
http://awionline.org/content/animal-programs
Saturday, 6 October 2012
How Do Zoos Help Endangered Animals?
Let's look at how zoo cares about animals! They do more than we think!
Zoos are now major
scientific establishments, helping endangered species through research into
every aspect of their life cycle, vulnerabilities, behaviors, diets and
habitats. The San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research studies
methods of African elephant conservation. The Wildlife Conservation Society's
(WCS) Bronx Zoo monitors 350 species using high tech tools, population surveys
and research cooperation with international partners, resulting in a continual
flow of discoveries. Longleat Safari Park in England supports mountain gorilla
and elephant conservation and monitoring in the wild.
Animal species that are
otherwise successful can become endangered through the disappearance of their
natural habitat. Although some endangered animals face a future only in
captivity, zoo breeding programs aim to release animals back into the wild
wherever possible. Because of this, a number of zoos work actively to conserve
natural habitats and support ecologically viable landscapes and seascapes. The
WCS has helped create more than 100 protected areas around the world. These
range from Mongolian grasslands to coral reefs.
The next generation of
ecologists, conservationists and animal behaviorists--those who will help zoos
protect endangered animals in the future--are getting their training in zoos
right now. In January 2010, the National Zoo launched the Smithsonian Conservation
Biology Institute, dedicated to global conservation and the training of
conservationists. The Zoological Society of London, which operates the London
Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, offers work experience programs for young people who
want to work in conservation. In San Diego, Zoo InternQuest interns explore
careers at the San Diego Zoo and the zoo's Institute for Conservation Research.
The days when zoos
were simply collections of caged animals maintained for public curiosity and
entertainment are long past. Modern zoos play an important role in
environmental protection, conservation and awareness. Zoos help endangered
animals through breeding programs, education, professional training, habitat
protection and scientific research. Through organizations like the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums, and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, as
well as the United Nations Environment Program and the European Endangered
Species Program, zoos are able to work cooperatively to help endangered
animals.
Breeding Programs
Zoos help endangered animals
through breeding programs that create and sustain genetically viable numbers of
particular species. Describing their zoo's participation in cooperative
European breeding programs, scientists at the Edinburgh Zoo explain that genetic
diversity enables animal populations to hold onto the qualities that help them
adapt and survive in the wild.
Around the world, zoos that
exchange breeding animals and sperm develop specialist knowledge of particular
species. In the UK, for example, Woburn Safari Park supports breeding programs
for Eastern Mountain bongos. The National Zoo in Washington has successfully
bred Sumatran tiger cubs, helping to boost a population that was once only
about 700 in the world.
Research
Zoos are now major
scientific establishments, helping endangered species through research into
every aspect of their life cycle, vulnerabilities, behaviors, diets and
habitats. The San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research studies
methods of African elephant conservation. The Wildlife Conservation Society's
(WCS) Bronx Zoo monitors 350 species using high tech tools, population surveys
and research cooperation with international partners, resulting in a continual
flow of discoveries. Longleat Safari Park in England supports mountain gorilla
and elephant conservation and monitoring in the wild.
Habitat
Protection
Animal species that are
otherwise successful can become endangered through the disappearance of their
natural habitat. Although some endangered animals face a future only in
captivity, zoo breeding programs aim to release animals back into the wild
wherever possible. Because of this, a number of zoos work actively to conserve
natural habitats and support ecologically viable landscapes and seascapes. The
WCS has helped create more than 100 protected areas around the world. These
range from Mongolian grasslands to coral reefs.
Public Education
Zoos help endangered animals
by educating the public about wild life protection and animal conservation. All
the world's major zoos have education programs that teach children about animal
behavior and protection. The Bronx Zoo has an award-winning education
department with programs to teach young children, teens, families and adults
about wildlife and wild habitats. The WCS that operates the Bronx Zoo also runs
an active program in New York's Central Park Zoo. There, the zoo’s Wildlife
Theater Players use drama, puppetry, games and songs to inspire young audiences
to protect the natural world.
Professional
Training
The next generation of
ecologists, conservationists and animal behaviorists--those who will help zoos
protect endangered animals in the future--are getting their training in zoos
right now. In January 2010, the National Zoo launched the Smithsonian Conservation
Biology Institute, dedicated to global conservation and the training of
conservationists. The Zoological Society of London, which operates the London
Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, offers work experience programs for young people who
want to work in conservation. In San Diego, Zoo InternQuest interns explore
careers at the San Diego Zoo and the zoo's Institute for Conservation Research.
References:
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Monday, 1 October 2012
Canadian Endangered Animals
Canada has the biggest continent in the world! The endangered animals are also special!
Many animal and
plant species have become extinct in Canada since the beginning of the 20th
century, and many more are in danger. The threat is increasing as human reach
extends to uninhabited areas, largely due to deforestation and fishing. In
April 2010 alone, four new species were added to the Canadian Endangered List.
Among the endangered animals in Canada are the bobolink, the rusty-patched
bumblebee, the massasauga, the North Atlantic right whale, and the loggerhead
sea turtle. In 2010, there were 602 endangered animal and plant species in
Canada, according to Nature Canada.
Bobolink
The bobolink is a bird
native to North America that is white on the back and black on the stomach
area. Living in grasslands, these birds eat seeds and insects. The bobolink
population is rapidly decreasing through loss of habitat, fragmentation,
pesticide exposure, and mortality from agricultural operations, as they are
shot by farmers, who consider them pests since they feed off crops.
Rusty-Patched Bumblebee
The rusty-patched bumblebee
gets its name from the rust-colored patch on its midsection. These bees are
common throughout Canada as well as in the upper midwest of the United States.
The insects are declining in numbers mostly due to the destruction of their natural
habitat--much of which is destroyed through deforestation and logging.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
This endangered turtle,
which is found throughout the world, has seen global losses in population
worldwide. These migratory turtles commonly become entangled in fishing nets
and have also suffered from marine pollution. In Canada, the decline in
loggerhead sea turtles is mostly due coastal fishing. Loggerhead turtles are
protected by international treaties and agreements as well as national laws.
Massasauga
Most people find the
massasauga--one of Canada's most venomous endangered species--very
intimidating. Also known as the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, this snake is
only found in Ontario and is actually considered to be quite nonaggressive. The
endangerment of the massasauga has mostly come about from people deliberately
killing the snake, since it is easily recognizable as a venomous snake because
of the rattlers at the end of its tail.
North Atlantic Right Whale
The North Atlantic right
whale ranks as one of the most endangered marine animals in the world. Because
of protective hunting laws that were established in the 1930s, the whale has
seen a growth in its numbers; however, in 2004 the population was only around
300 whales, according to Hinterland Who's Who, a website published by the
Canadian Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Federation.
References:
Sunday, 30 September 2012
What Animals in Antarctica Are Endangered & Why?
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.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/3702494/Rare-albatross-suffers-worst-nesting-season-on-record-says-RSPB.html
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Endangered African Animals
When it comes to Africa, what will recall us? Boundless grassland and adorable animals! Here we go!
According to Earth's
Endangered Creatures, most of the endangered African animals are mammals.
Charismatic mammals, such as the cheetah, the chimpanzee and the African
elephant, among others, are considered "flagship" species by the
World Wildlife Federation. These iconic animals help raise awareness of
conservation efforts. They are also animals that are primarily threatened by
human practices: unsustainable hunting, poaching, farming and agricultural
expansion.
African grasslands'
year-round warm temperatures, plentiful foliage, shrubs and occasional trees
shelter an extensive variety of wildlife. African grasslands, also known as
savannas, cover a large part of the African continent. Unfortunately,
poaching--the illegal hunting of protected species--and the use of Africa's
grasslands for farming and grazing livestock are putting many African animals
on the endangered list.
The cheetah is the fastest
land animal—able to run up to 70 miles per hour. It often chases down its prey
instead of ambushing it, as other cats do. For this reason, the cheetah is
referred to as the "greyhound of the cats," according to the Cheetah
Conservation Fund. It is one of the most specialized cats, having longer legs
and a leaner body than the other large cats. It is also the most endangered cat
in Africa.
The cheetah is poached for
its spotted pelt, killed to protect livestock and threatened by habitat loss,
lack of genetic diversity, high infant mortality rates and prey population
reduction. Captive breeding programs have long been considered futile since the
cat does not breed well in captivity. In fact, The Cheetah Conservation Fund
states that the zoo population of cheetahs unsustainable through breeding
programs—in order to keep them in zoos, they have to be wild-caught, which
defeats the conservation efforts of the zoological institutions.
The chimpanzee is in the
taxonomic family Homindae, which it shares with other great apes such as the
gorilla, orangutan, bonobo and human. The wild chimpanzee is found only in
Africa. The chimpanzee is a social creature that lives in a colony that can
number in the hundreds. A chimp communicates with others using vocalizations,
facial expressions and touches. It is one of the few animals, besides humans,
that use tools. According to the Jane Goodall Institute, however, the human is
the only species that uses tools for more purposes than a chimpanzee. They face
extinction due to habitat loss, global climate change, hunting and capture for
the pet trade. All of the non-human primates are endangered.
African Elephant
The African
elephant is the largest living land mammal and weighs in at around three to
four tons. An elephant lives in a herd of related females and their calves. A
calf will stay with its mother for several years.
According to the World
Wildlife Foundation, the African elephant is a keystone species because it
maintains habitats for other species. They influence the density of forests,
and scientists estimate that one-third of the plants in Africa germinate only
after passing through the elephant's digestive tract.
Most African
elephants reside in wildlife preserves in Africa, though the parks are not
large enough to support the population levels, and the range extends beyond
park boundaries. Human encroachment on the elephant's land makes that the number
of human-elephant encounters is increasing, which is bad news for both. Loss of
habitat is a severe and present issue for the African elephant, as is poaching
for its meat, tusks and skin.
Grevy's Zebras
Grevy's zebras inhabit Africa's dry grasslands. They
are between four and five feet tall and can weigh up to 900 pounds. In the
wild, they live up to 25 years. Members of the horse family, zebras can run as
fast as 35 miles per hour. When zebras group together, their black and white
stripes make it difficult for predators to single out individual zebras to
attack. Grevy's zebras are distinguished by their narrow stripes and a thick
solid black strip running down their back. Plant eaters, their main food source
are grasses. Grevy's zebras are endangered as of 2010.
The Wild Dog
African wild dogs can grow
to two and a half feet tall and three and a half feet long, and can weigh up to
60 pounds. In the wild, African wild dogs live for about 10 years. With four
toes on their front feet; large, rounded, bat-like ears; and a black, brown and
white patchwork fur, African wild dogs hunt in packs in the morning and the
evening. As of 2010, African wild dogs are considered the second-most
endangered carnivore in Africa.
White and Black Rhinoceroses
White and black rhinoceroses
are found in grasslands in eastern and southern Africa. Larger than the black
rhino, the white rhino can measure up to 13 feet long and weight up to 5,000 pounds.
Both varieties live between 40 and 45 years and have two horns. While both are
herbivores, white rhinos have wide mouths appropriate for eating clumps of
grass, whereas black rhinos have narrower mouths they use to skillfully grasp
foliage and leaves. Despite their names, both species are a brownish gray
color. Both black and white rhinoceroses are endangered as of 2010.
Leopards
Leopards are three to six
feet long and can weigh up to 200 pounds. Males are larger and heavier than
females. For nocturnal hunters, leopards that live in grasslands are a lighter
color than their counterparts that live in rain forests. Hiding their food at
heights where other predators can't reach, leopards are skilled climbers.
Widely hunted for their skins and whiskers, and poisoned by farmers trying to
protect livestock, leopards are endangered as of 2010.References: http://www.ehow.com/list_6585843_endangered-animals-african-grasslands.html#ixzz27r2z43ak
http://www.ehow.com/list_6721144_endangered-african-animals.html#ixzz27r2YM36W
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