Tiger (Panthera tigris)
The WWF and twenty-nine tiger conservation groups have joined forces to send a message to the Chinese government, as China considers lifting its ban on tiger trade under pressure from wealthy breeders set to profit from sales of tiger bone wine, meat, and skins. The conservation organizations are creating a huge photomosaic of a tiger, which will be composed of individual and group pictures of tiger supporters, to be unveiled at the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in
The Hague, Netherlands.
Help end the tiger trade. Go here to add your photo to the mosaic and show your support
22 April 2007
19 April 2007
When it rains, it pours.
Booroolong Frog (Litoria booroolongensis)
Another rare species of frog is on the brink of extinction. And no wonder. The Booroolong tree frog is confined to less than 10 square kilometers, has been affected by the frog-killing fungus, chytridiomycosis, has to deal with invasive species preying on its eggs and tadpoles, has lost much of its habitat, and the area where it lives is undergoing a drought, drying up it's breeding grounds.
Donate to the Amphibian Ark, a movement saving frog species in decline.
Another rare species of frog is on the brink of extinction. And no wonder. The Booroolong tree frog is confined to less than 10 square kilometers, has been affected by the frog-killing fungus, chytridiomycosis, has to deal with invasive species preying on its eggs and tadpoles, has lost much of its habitat, and the area where it lives is undergoing a drought, drying up it's breeding grounds.
Donate to the Amphibian Ark, a movement saving frog species in decline.
17 April 2007
Caught!
Queen Alexandra's Birdwings (Ornithoptera alexandrae)
A Japanese man has been sentenced in the US to nearly two years in a federal prison, after admitting to smuggling endangered butterflies into the country, and attempting to sell them. Among them was a pair of Queen Alexandra's Birdwings, which sold for $8,500.
These beautiful buterflies, are the largest in the world, with a wingspan of 30 cm.
A Japanese man has been sentenced in the US to nearly two years in a federal prison, after admitting to smuggling endangered butterflies into the country, and attempting to sell them. Among them was a pair of Queen Alexandra's Birdwings, which sold for $8,500.
These beautiful buterflies, are the largest in the world, with a wingspan of 30 cm.
09 April 2007
. . .
For those of you who are still reading, thanks. Unfortunately, due to my new schedule and responsibilities, posting and some features will be declining. I'll still be around and will still post, but not as much as I used to. If you would like to help out and contribute to the site, I'd love to hear from you.
Rare rabbit still alive
Sumatran Rabbit (Nesolagus netscheri)
Wildlife Conservation Society researchers have confirmed the continued existence of the Sumatran Rabbit, which had not been seen since 1998. Using infrared camera traps, the scientists have captured images of the striped rabbit, which is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
It is one of only two known species of striped rabbits, the other being the Annamite Striped Rabbit. The greatest threat to the Sumatran rabbit is habitat loss, mainly through clearing to make way for agriculture.
Here's the article, including the photo, from the WCS.
Wildlife Conservation Society researchers have confirmed the continued existence of the Sumatran Rabbit, which had not been seen since 1998. Using infrared camera traps, the scientists have captured images of the striped rabbit, which is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
It is one of only two known species of striped rabbits, the other being the Annamite Striped Rabbit. The greatest threat to the Sumatran rabbit is habitat loss, mainly through clearing to make way for agriculture.
Here's the article, including the photo, from the WCS.
31 March 2007
Ack.
Sorry again. My internet has been down for the past few days. Right now I'm stealing my neighbours wireless. Back soon (hopefully).
26 March 2007
Snuwolf and Snuwolffy
Gray Wolf (Canis Lupus)
Here's some interesting news. Scientists in Korea have successfully cloned two wolves. Although the wolves were born about a year and a half ago, the news was not released until recently. The scientists from Seoul National University (SNU) are former collaborators of the disgraced Dr. Hwang (he allegedly faked some of his human stem cell research), who is on trial for, for embezzlement, fraud and violations of bioethics law. Although there are still some doubters that the wolves are clones, others hold that scientists who were close to such scandal would not announce such news if it weren't true, and that no journal would accept it without excellent evidence. Cloning and Stemcells, a high-ranking journal on cloning has accepted the paper.
Although the Gray Wolf isn't technically endangered worldwide, some subspecies and subpopulations are vulnerable or even extinct in the wild. Still, it's possible that this research might one day lead to cloning as another tool in the conservationists arsenal for saving endangered species. Although it wouldn't necessarily be able to increase the genetic pool of small populations, it could still help to increase the individuals of species with very small numbers.
Do you have an opinion? Do you think that cloning is an avenue of research worth pursuing, or should the money be spent on other more proven conservation methods.
Here's some interesting news. Scientists in Korea have successfully cloned two wolves. Although the wolves were born about a year and a half ago, the news was not released until recently. The scientists from Seoul National University (SNU) are former collaborators of the disgraced Dr. Hwang (he allegedly faked some of his human stem cell research), who is on trial for, for embezzlement, fraud and violations of bioethics law. Although there are still some doubters that the wolves are clones, others hold that scientists who were close to such scandal would not announce such news if it weren't true, and that no journal would accept it without excellent evidence. Cloning and Stemcells, a high-ranking journal on cloning has accepted the paper.
Although the Gray Wolf isn't technically endangered worldwide, some subspecies and subpopulations are vulnerable or even extinct in the wild. Still, it's possible that this research might one day lead to cloning as another tool in the conservationists arsenal for saving endangered species. Although it wouldn't necessarily be able to increase the genetic pool of small populations, it could still help to increase the individuals of species with very small numbers.
Do you have an opinion? Do you think that cloning is an avenue of research worth pursuing, or should the money be spent on other more proven conservation methods.
23 March 2007
Rhinos Killed for $60 000
One (Rhinoceros unicornis)
Four Rhinos have recently been killed in Kaziranga National Park, as poachers have grown bolder and guards have grown fewer. Those four horns, each weighing about 1.6 kg, represent about $60 000 (USD) that buyers are willing to pay, usually for traditional medicines in south-east Asia.
Contribute to the International Rhino Foundation.
Four Rhinos have recently been killed in Kaziranga National Park, as poachers have grown bolder and guards have grown fewer. Those four horns, each weighing about 1.6 kg, represent about $60 000 (USD) that buyers are willing to pay, usually for traditional medicines in south-east Asia.
Contribute to the International Rhino Foundation.
21 March 2007
Endangered Eating - Phillipine Dish of the Day
Giant Grouper
Dwarf Pygmy Goby
Whale Shark
Basking Shark
Zebra Shark
Big-eye Tuna
Blue-fin Tuna
Giant Manta Ray
Sea Turtles
Whale
Dolphin
These are just a few of the endangered species that are found on the menus of many restaurants in Manila. Although it is illegal both within the country and internationally to harvest, sell, or trade these species, they continue to persist in restaurants in the Phillipines. With 40 million Phillipinos relying on seafood as a primary part of their diet, and unchecked poaching, barely 1% of the countries reefs remain in pristine condition.
Here's a story about some poachers who may be getting off too easy.
Dwarf Pygmy Goby
Whale Shark
Basking Shark
Zebra Shark
Big-eye Tuna
Blue-fin Tuna
Giant Manta Ray
Sea Turtles
Whale
Dolphin
These are just a few of the endangered species that are found on the menus of many restaurants in Manila. Although it is illegal both within the country and internationally to harvest, sell, or trade these species, they continue to persist in restaurants in the Phillipines. With 40 million Phillipinos relying on seafood as a primary part of their diet, and unchecked poaching, barely 1% of the countries reefs remain in pristine condition.
Here's a story about some poachers who may be getting off too easy.
20 March 2007
Blip . . . Blip . . . Blip . . .
Sorry for the break in posting . . . been settling into a new routine . . .
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