Caught!

Fly River Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta), Vulnerable

Fly River Turtles, having a unique nose, are also referred to as Pig Nosed Turtles. And this is pretty self-explanatory. They are the only freshwater turtles to have flippers resembling those of marine turtles.

Back in March of 2004, a San Francisco pet shop owner smuggled 14 live baby Fly River Turtles into the United States, hiding them in his clothes. He was caught, and the turtles confiscated and given to zoos and aquariums in California. Last Thursday, he pleaded guilty to the charges, and in February, will be sentenced.

These animals, found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, are protected in these countries as well as by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with the declines in their population being noted over the past decade. Probably the largest contributor to their decline? Over-harvesting by humans.

Devils' Hope

Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)


The Tasmanian Devil, the largest surviving marsupial carnivore, has been dealing with a nasty disease for the past decade. Referred to as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), this rare cancer is infectious, meaning it can be passed between individuals. Devils are often violent with each other, and it is believed that the cancer cells are transmitted during such bouts, either during fights over food, or while mating.

Devils contracting the disease develop large cancerous tumours around their face, mouth, and eyes, preventing them from eating or functioning, and usually die within six months. So far, 59% of the island state of Tasmania has been affected by the disease, with a 53% decline in devil populations over the past ten years. Up until recently, no devil had ever survived or shown an immunity to DFTD.

Now, a devil from unaffected western Tasmania, has shown resistance to the disease. After being injected with tumour cells, the three-year-old devil known as Cedric, was able to develop antibodies. Researchers hope that the disease-free western population may be genetically distinct, and that this distinctness may help fight DFTD, either through the development of a vaccine, or through selective breeding, to increase the numbers of devils able to resist the disease.

However, it's not the only hope. Disease free devils have been captured and a captive breeding program is underway, to ensure that disease free populations remain, whatever happens to the wild devil populations. Up to 150 devils will be in captive breeding programs by early next year, both in Tasmania, and in zoos and parks on mainland Australia.

Help the Devils.

733

Whooping Crane (Grus americana), endangered

Operation Migration, a program which is reintroducing whooping cranes to the Eastern United States, has reason to celebrate.

Each year, 20 or so captive born endangered whooping cranes, are taken on a journey guided by an ultralight aircraft. Young whooping cranes learn their migration routes from their parents, and being captive born, must learn the migration route from their breeders.

This year, during the journey between Wisconsin and Florida (see the route), a crane dubbed 733, dropped out of the flight during a difficult stretch of the trip. Crane watchers everywhere held their breath, hoping that 733 might have survived and be found. And a few days ago, they all breathed sighs of relief, as 733 was found in Kentucky, and will soon continue the journey to its winter home.

Get involved.

Breeding Rails

Guam Rail (Gallirallus owstoni), Extinct in the Wild

Guam is a tiny island territory, comprising a mere 541 square kilometers, or a little more than half the size of New York City. Until the 1980s, this little island paradise was home to the Guam Rail, which existed only on this tiny patch of land. In 1980 The Guam Rail disappeared from its natural home.

What happened? It all goes back to World War II, when foreign ships accidentally imported the Brown Tree Snake. The ground-dwelling Guam Rails had never had to deal with predators such as snakes before, and were completely defenseless. The snakes decimated not only the Rails, but also 9 other native species, 5 of which were found nowhere else in the world.

The Guam Rail is not extinct yet, however, as it is still held in captivity in Guam and American zoos, and has been bred successfully. Although reintroduction efforts are underway on the nearby island of Rota, their success is far from guaranteed, as the Brown Tree Snake persists and continues to threaten introduced birds. Researchers have had some success in keeping snakes out of small controlled areas, but as long as the snakes pose a threat, this species will require monitoring and management.

Recently, the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, one of the few zoos working to breed the birds, shipped off another year-and-a-half old Rail to join its struggling fellows back in the wild. Godspeed and goodluck!

An Absence of Amphibians

Old pond
and a frog-jump-in
water-sound

This famous haiku by the Japanese poet Bashô evokes images of an evening filled with the chorus of croaking frogs and splashes as they leap into an old pond. Unfortunately, unnoticed by the majority of the world's population, frogs around the world are falling silent. As various threats to their survival converge, like ants on a fallen bread crust, amphibian species in every nation are facing extinction. Threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species are stacking themselves up against amphibian populations. To top it all off, the deadly chytrid fungus, perhaps helped along by global warming, is devastating amphibians everywhere. Chytridiomycosis, the disease caused by the fungus, causes a problem in the functioning of the amphibian's pores, making it difficult for them to absorb water. Without the ability to rehydrate, they soon die from a lack of water.

Now, scientists around the world are working together in an effort to save the amphibians from impending doom. Amphibian Ark, a collaboration between several conservation organizations, is asking zoos and botanical gardens around the world to create a safe haven for a species of amphibian. These havens would only be temporary, until the disease crisis has been averted, and the animals can be safely returned to their natural habitats. If their efforts are unsuccessful, I don't want to imagine what will happen to the balance of the world's ecosystems as a whole class of animals is wiped out.

This issue is not something to be taken lightly. It's downright scary when you think of the implications of what could happen if all of the frogs, toads, and other amphibians disappeared. Frog Matters, a blog with the latest happenings from Amphibian Ark has a great post on things that anyone can do to help prevent a mass extinction.

Donate now to help prevent the next great extinction.

Last Chance for the Vaquita

Vaquita (Phocoena sinus), critically endangered










Way back in February, I blogged about the 'little cows' or Vaquitas, which live only in the upper regions of the Gulf of California. At that time, their numbers were estimated to be under 400. That number has dropped to an estimated 150, although it's possible this number may be lower.

Then, as now, the greatest danger to the Vaquita is accidental death in the nets of fishing crews. At least 40, and possibly more, are killed each year as by catch. Scientists say that at least 100 Vaquitas must survive to preserve enough genetic diversity for the porpoises to prosper. That leaves, optimistically, only two years in which a turn around must occur. While there have been efforts in the past to create zones where fishing is not allowed, they have failed.

Now, in a last ditch effort to save the Vaquita, WWF, Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, and the Mexican government have pledged $14 million to buy boats and nets that kill the Vaquita, and developing economic alternatives for local fishermen. If this and other efforts do not work, the Vaquita will go extinct.

Here's an article with more info.

Support the survival of the Vaquita (cheque only).

Cats!

Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus), critically endangered

I've been away from the world of computers and internet and news in general for quite some time, having been limited to 10-30 minute spurts of online time, every week or so. So it was a nice surprise that one of the first pieces of news I stumbled upon was good. The critically endangered Iberian Lynx, found mainly in southern Spain, has been reduced to about 100 individuals, in two isolated populations. Recently, however, a previously unknown population has been discovered in central Spain, offering a bit of hope for the survival of "Europe's Tiger." Still, the Iberian Lynx is a long way off from stability or full recovery, still being threatened by habitat and prey loss, and accidental death by vehicles.

Not Extinct Yet

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

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.

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.