Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer)
The Baiji is not extinct yet. Early in January of this year, the rare river dolphin was proclaimed extinct. After an extensive and fruitless search of the polluted Yangtze River in China, the dolphin's sole habitat, scientists gave up hope. Now, a digital video has provided evidence that at least one Baiji may survive in a small section of river. Although efforts may be made to capture and transport any remaining dolphins, scientists warn that extinction is still almost the guaranteed outcome--even if a few dolphins still survive, with such low numbers, a comeback is highly unlikely.
National Geographic News Article
09 September 2007
27 June 2007
Hello, Good-bye
Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae)
The Gorgeted Puffleg is a species of hummingbird recently discovered in Colombia. It was first documented during expeditions in Southwest Columbia, in the mountainous Serrania del Pinche region. Researchers fear the bird may soon go extinct, due to loss of habitat. To remain undiscovered for so long, it's range must be very small, and slash and burn agriculture is on the rise in that area. This distinct bird has a large irridescent throat patch (in males) and white tufts above the legs, hence, the Gorgeted Puffleg.
The Gorgeted Puffleg is a species of hummingbird recently discovered in Colombia. It was first documented during expeditions in Southwest Columbia, in the mountainous Serrania del Pinche region. Researchers fear the bird may soon go extinct, due to loss of habitat. To remain undiscovered for so long, it's range must be very small, and slash and burn agriculture is on the rise in that area. This distinct bird has a large irridescent throat patch (in males) and white tufts above the legs, hence, the Gorgeted Puffleg.
23 June 2007
Wadi fish go?
Garra barreimiae Garra barreimiae
In the Arabian Peninsula, wadis are riverbeds which are dry for most of the year, and full of water for the rainy season. There are, however, some riverbeds and pools that maintain water all year round. And in these, survive several species of fish--wadi fish. When the annual floods begin, these fish swim upstream and lay eggs in the highest pools.
However, they are threatened on many fronts--development, introduction of invasive species, lowering of the water level due to pumping, the building of dams, and pollution. Very little is known about the habits or range of these fish, although studies are underway.
Here's a photo of one better known species, Garra barreimiae, and an
article about wadi fish.
For more info, or to help out, check out Wadi Fish Conservation.
In the Arabian Peninsula, wadis are riverbeds which are dry for most of the year, and full of water for the rainy season. There are, however, some riverbeds and pools that maintain water all year round. And in these, survive several species of fish--wadi fish. When the annual floods begin, these fish swim upstream and lay eggs in the highest pools.
However, they are threatened on many fronts--development, introduction of invasive species, lowering of the water level due to pumping, the building of dams, and pollution. Very little is known about the habits or range of these fish, although studies are underway.
Here's a photo of one better known species, Garra barreimiae, and an
article about wadi fish.
For more info, or to help out, check out Wadi Fish Conservation.
22 April 2007
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
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
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
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.
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