Natural Environment Blog

This planet currently has over 8.7 million species of animals with approximately three quarters of them still undiscovered.¹ Every animal, plant or insect has its own unique role when it comes to the planet and the ecosystems that are part of it.

When you look at the big picture, the ten most threatened animal species doesn’t even begin to cover it as there are hundreds of species at risk for extinction. However, I have chosen to focus on a few well-known species that are at risk due to human involvement in their habitats and environments.

10. Polar Bear

Photo Credit: longhorndave

While the population of Polar Bears (60% of which are in Canada) exists at around 20,000-25,000, they are perhaps one of the most threatened species on our list due to climate change and global warming. One of the major threats is the melting of the polar ice caps, which is causing polar bear cubs to have to swim farther distances with their mothers, many of whom die.

9. Giant Panda

Photo Credit: donjd2

The Giant Panda has been a staple among endangered species lists for years now. While they are still in existence, many outside factors threaten them. The largest is that while there are 2,500 mature animals in the wild, most of their population is fragmented across China living in much smaller groups. This creates lack of genetic diversity and can cause premature death, which will continue to deplete the species. Luckily, the Chinese government has established over “50 panda reserves, protecting more than 2.5 million acres - over 45 percent of remaining giant panda habitat – protecting more than 60 percent of the population”.²

8. Leatherback Turtle

Photo Credit: USFWS/Southeast

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “as few as 2,300 adult females now remain, making the Pacific leatherback the world’s most endangered marine turtle population”.³. The population is at risk due to many adults being accidentally killed by fishing fleets. In addition, they are subject to pollution and climate change as well as egg harvesting.

7. Mountain Gorilla

Photo Credit: Sara & Joachim

While the population of Mountain Gorilla’s is currently on the upswing, having increased by 26% with a new population of 786⁴, they are still considered a threatened species. They are at risk of losing their habitats to continued deforestation and pollution and are often still poached. Another and lesser-known threat is disease. As Mountain Gorillas are so closely related to humans and are in areas where many tourists visit to see them, they are often unknowingly exposed to various “human ailments and can even die from the common cold”. ⁵

6. Mediterranean Monk Seal

Photo Credit: flickkerphotos

There are approximately only 600 of these seals in existence. As it stands, “the species is the world’s most endangered seal and one of the most endangered marine mammals”.⁶ They are in danger from various circumstances such as hunting, heavy ship traffic, fishing nets and pollution. According to another article, the survival rate of pups of the Mediterranean Monk Seal is very low. In fact, “the pup survival rate is very low with just 50% chances of an individual’s survival”.⁷ When it comes to the cold season from September to January, only 29% of pups survive. For the rest of the year, “their survival rate is 71%”.⁸

5. Siberian Tiger

Photo Credit: Daisyree Bakker

According to a recent study, population of the Siberian tiger is “down to just 14 animals, scientists report in the journal Mammalian Biology”.⁹ There are approximately 500 Siberian Tigers in existence, but their genetic diversity is depleting, which puts the effective population much lower. Not only this but the constant deforestation of their habitats is also shrinking their population. The WWF believes that if no action is taken, tigers (not just Siberian) will be extinct within the next twelve years.¹⁰

4. Philippine Eagle

Photo Credit: www.siargao-paradise.com

While not on many typical threatened species list, the Philippine Eagle certainly deserves to be there. It is approximated that “there are only from 180 to 500 Philippine eagles in nature”. Despite the secondary effects of deforestation, the demise of this beautiful bird is coming directly from human hands. These eagles are often poached, hunted or their eggs collected to sell to zoos and bird collectors. Farmers even hunt them for food or for fun. Due to the fact it takes these birds from 5-7 years to become sexually mature, they are simply not recovering at the rate they are being destroyed.

3. Red Wolf

Photo Credit: LaggedOnUser

According to the Red Wolf Recovery Program, “today 100-120 red wolves call northeastern North Carolina home” ¹¹, which is their only wild population. In 1980, the red wolf population declined to only 17 animals due to deforestation and was declared extinct by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. While the population still exists, they are continuing to be threatened by deforestation. In addition, red wolves are still often hunted as they are considered pests to farmers.

2. Javan Rhinoceros

Photo Credit: http://library.thinkquest.org/26993/animals.htm

The Javan Rhino resides in Western Indonesia and “with no more than 60 left in the wild and none in captivity” is considered to be the rarest large mammal on the planet. The main reason for this species almost being wiped off the Earth is that they have been widely poached since colonial times. Additionally, they are, like many other species on this list, losing their environment to deforestation and agricultural plots. Another concern, similar to the Amur Leopard and Siberian Tigers, is that due to the small population, the Javan Rhinoceros is now also lacking in genetic diversity, which is key to survival.

1. Amur Leopard

Photo Credit: Arran Edmonstone Photography

The Amur Leopard recovered from having population of less than 40 individuals around the 1950’s. However, today, the population is again at risk. Today, the wild population of Amur Leopards is “estimated at less than 50 individuals”.¹² Some of the main threats to the Amur Leopard that worry conversationalists are habitat loss due to deforestation and development, prey scarcity and poaching or illegal trade for the fur. Additionally, another threat to this species is the fact that they have declined to such a small population, which not only reduces their genetic diversity, but also makes them at risk for disease.

Though the list of threatened species across the planet is much larger than ten, what we can do to help protect their existence fits every species. The first is to become aware of what wildlife lives in your area. Though they may not be as exotic as the leopard or Giant Panda, they still deserve your attention. Once we become aware, we can start to make change such as supporting legislation to build nature reserves or protect wildlife from poaching. Other things we as individuals and as a society can take part in, is to be mindful of the environment and focus on sustainable living. This will help us to protect the environment as it is today and for future generations.

¹ http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/310775
² http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/giantpanda/panda.html
³ http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/marine_turtles/leatherback_turtle/
⁴ http://articles.cnn.com/2011-01-07/world/africa.gorilla.population_1_mountain-gorilla-population-world-population-species?_s=PM:WORLD
⁵ http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/mountaingorilla/threats.html
⁶ http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9416000/9416895.stm
⁷ http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/mammals/Carnivora/Phocidae/Monachus/Monachus-monachus.html
⁸ http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/mammals/Carnivora/Phocidae/Monachus/Monachus-monachus.html
⁹ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/07/siberian-tiger-population_n_829348.html
¹⁰ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/07/siberian-tiger-population_n_829348.html
¹¹ http://www.fws.gov/redwolf/
¹² http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/amur_leopard2/

This article was contributed by Amy Lizee from Environment911.org.

Environment911.org is an interactive website for individuals to come and discuss the environment from green business to natural disasters. We feel it is important for people to come together and share their thoughts, ideas and visions for the future.

David from PETA contacted me regarding letters PETA recently sent to the attorneys general of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. In the letters, Peta is urging the attorneys general to bring charges against BP and all other culpable parties of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico of cruelty to animals.

“Just as BP is the subject of a federal criminal investigation, causing needless pain and suffering to animals violates each affected state’s anti-cruelty laws,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “BP can compensate for the loss of human livelihoods, but it can never make up for the loss of life that it has inflicted on these states’ animals.”

According to PETA, the anti-cruelty laws of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida provide that any person who unnecessarily causes the torment or death of any animal is guilty of a misdemeanor.

The impact on the oil spill on wildlife includes:

• Some oil-soaked birds lose the ability to float and ultimately drown.
• Other birds die from hypothermia or hyperthermia after oil destroys the insulating powers of their feathers.
• Oil contamination in turtles can cause chemical burns, and kidney, liver, and brain damage can result after animals ingest the tar balls and chemical dispersants that have inundated the Gulf.
• Marine mammals lose body weight when they can not feed due to contamination of their environment by oil
• Birds become easy prey, as their feathers being matted by oil make them less able to fly away;
• Marine mammals such as fur seals become easy prey if oil sticks their flippers to their bodies, making it hard for them to escape predators

Those are just some of the affects of oil spills on wildlife. And, there’s also the affect on the food chain. For example, poisoning of wildlife higher up the food chain if they eat large amounts of other organisms that have taken oil into their tissues. This can also result in poisoning of young through the mother, as a dolphin calf can absorb oil through it’s mothers milk.

To date, more than a thousand animals-including 333 sea turtles and 41 dolphins and other mammals-have been collected dead along the coast. Whales are also expected to be among the casualties.

How Can I Help?

You can assist PETA by sending your concerns to the attorneys general in question.

About PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 2 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world.

PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry. We also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds and other “pests,” and the abuse of backyard dogs.

PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns.

Larry King Live will be hosting a telethon on Monday night. Proceeds from the 2 hour event will go towards rebuilding the gulf coast.

Celebrity participants include Chelsea Handler, Sting, Tim McGraw, Kathy Griffin, Alyssa Milano, Deepak Chopra, Pete Wentz, Ted Danson, Robert Redford, Harry Connick Jr., Jenny McCarthy, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Aaron Neville, Kerry Kennedy, James Carville and Mary Matalin, Anderson Cooper, Tyson Ritter, Lenny Kravitz, Ian Somerhalder, Edward James Olmos, Philippe Cousteau and more.

All donations will be distributed between the following three charity associations:

• The Nature Conservancy: In response to the Gulf Coast oil spill, The Nature Conservancy has launched their Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration, expanding their efforts for long term recovery for the Gulf of Mexico and habitats along the coast, including salt marshes, oyster reefs, marshlands, beaches and estuaries.
• The National Wildlife Federation Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund: Supports efforts to find and save oiled wildlife, and help recover their delicate ecosystems that make up their nesting and breeding grounds.
• United Way: Offering help to the families along the Gulf that are facing financial, educational and health-related challenges as a result from the economic disruption from this Oil Spill. The United Way Gulf Recovery fund will provide emergency assistance, such as help with food, rent and utilities, and support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild these lives and these communities.

The telethon will begin at 8pm (ET) on Monday, June 21.

The Big Wild asks “How Wild is North America?”

Theodora at The Big Wild recently contacted me to let me know about an infographic posted on The Big Wild website.

The infographic (right), compares how “wild” Canada, the United States, and Mexico are based on facts like each country’s ecological footprint.

I was particularly interested to see that Canada’s “wildness” factor is 82%, compared to 36% and 18% for the United States and Mexico respectively.

I was also amazed to learn that Canada accounts for 24% of the world’s wild forests, 20% of the world’s fresh water, and 24% of global wetlands.

According to The Big Wild:

Real wilderness needs to be large enough to keep the natural balance – and that means thinking big.

That’s the vision behind The Big Wild. Conservation scientists believe we need to protect at least half of Canada’s wild spaces to ensure the integrity of our ecosystems.

About The Big Wild

The Big Wild is a partnership project between Canada’s Mountain Equipment Co-op and Canadian Parks and Wilderness. The Big Wild is a a conservation project dedicated to protecting at least half of Canada’s publicly-owned land and water.

Lenny Kravitz is among the artists who will perform at Gulf Aid - a benefit concert to raise funds for wetland recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf Aid is a single day event with artists performing on 2 stages.

“I’ve come home to New Orleans to lend my support to fishermen & wildlife” Lenny tweeted on Monday.

The disaster was caused by an explosion in an oil pipe which is resulting in around 210,000 gallons of oil being poured into the sea each day, causing widespread environmental damage along the US coast.

Proceeds from the concert will go to benefit fishermen and their families, whose livelihoods depend on being able to work in the ocean, plus organisations that protect Louisiana’s coast.

Line-up

The line-up includes:
Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Mos Def, Allen Toussaint ,The Voice of the Wetlands Allstars (featuring Tab Benoit, Dr. John, Cyril Neville, George Porter Jr., Waylon Thibodeaux, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Sansone, and Johnny Vidacovich), Zachary Richard, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Beausoleil, Steve Riley and The Mamou Playboys w Jon Cleary, Marcia Ball, Irvin Mayfield’s Playhouse Review , Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers, , Rebirth Brass Band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Shamarr Allen, Jeremy Davenport, MyNameIsJohnMichael

More artists will be announced.

Details

Sunday, May 16 2010
At Mardi Gras World River City overlooking the Mississippi River in New Orleans
12 noon - 10 pm, Rain or Shine event (no refunds)

The $50 tickets are exclusively available via Elevate.

100% of the ticket proceeds and ticket handling fees are contributed to the wetlands recovery effort.

Mark Tercek, President & CEO  of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), has sent an email to TNC members encouraging them to help with the clean up efforts of the Gulf Oil Spill.

If you want to help with the clean up effort, but you’re not sure what you can do to help, here are 3 things Mark asks you consider:

• Make a donation to help The Nature Conservancy restoration efforts in the Gulf — your contribution to our Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration will help TNC determine both the extent of the spill and the necessary long-term restoration work in the Gulf and states along its coast.
• Second, tell your friends about The Nature Conservancy’s blog and what’s at stake for the Gulf Coast. Forward them this post, post it to Facebook or tweet on Twitter. Get the word out that the plants, animals and people in one of North America’s most treasured places will need our help.
• Third, consider being a volunteer. The Conservancy is still assessing what volunteer opportunities will be needed and coordinating with groups like gulfresponse.org.

And in case you’re interested, here are the contents of the email:

Thank you. It’s hard to express how much all the phone calls and emails in the wake of the Gulf Oil Spill mean to me and to all the Conservancy’s staff — especially those working long hours in the Gulf states.

Many of you contacted us again after reading our Alabama director of conservation’s blog posts in yesterday’s e-newsletter, asking what you can do to help Bill and his team respond to the spill.

Here are three things you can do today to help the Gulf coast, its wildlife and the people who depend on it.

• Make a donation to help our restoration efforts in the Gulf — your contribution to our Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration will help us determine both the extent of the spill and the necessary long-term restoration work in the Gulf and states along its coast.
• Second, tell your friends about our blog and what’s at stake for the Gulf Coast. Forward them this email, post it to Facebook or tweet on Twitter. Get the word out that the plants, animals and people in one of North America’s most treasured places will need our help.
• Third, consider being a volunteer. The Conservancy is still assessing what volunteer opportunities will be needed and coordinating with groups like gulfresponse.org.

Already, we’ve put to work The Nature Conservancy’s best knowledge and expertise in the Gulf region.

Our Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration will help us do even more and will be put to use by the Conservancy and its marine scientists and staff knowledgeable about the Gulf and about oil spill impacts to help the long-term restoration of this critical ecosystem.
Currently, our Louisiana staff is conducting flights over the coast with federal, state, and some of our non-governmental partners to help determine the extent of the spill and are working to protect critical oyster reefs in the Grand Isle, Biloxi Marsh, and Vermilion Bay areas.

I am in the Gulf region today to assess what more the Conservancy can do to respond and support our staff members who live along the Gulf and work every day on conservation here.

As you know, this is not just about the shrimp, the oysters, and the crabs. It is about both the Gulf’s marine ecosystem, as well the local economy and the people who depend on it.

I hope you will continue to follow Bill’s work and our progress on our blog.

Thank you for your offer to help and your critical support,

So, go ahead and take action now!

April 22nd will mark the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day and with a new anniversary comes a new meaning for the day. Started in 1970, Earth Day was originally conceived as a day in which the people of the world could come together and educate themselves about the needs of the planet. However, with the “Green” movement in full effect, Earth Day has gone from a day of environmental education to a day of environmental action.

For this year’s festivities, a massive rally has been planned to take place in Washington that organizers are hoping will force Congress into signing a new and much needed climate bill. Organizers have also set up The Earth Day Network to give information about the day itself and give awareness to green campaigns that need members and support.

One of these green campaigns is A Walk For Water. This campaign will help raise funds to build permanent water resources in West Africa, which in the 110+ degree heat of the area, will both help save the water supply and countless lives of the impoverished West African communities. The Earth Day Network has also crafted other grassroots campaigns to help save important environmental areas like forests and wetlands. However, not every green initiative is of the grassroots variety.

The major conglomerate Siemens is getting in on the movement by running a green campaign called A Million Acts of Green that motivates customers to come up with green solutions for the upcoming Earth Day. Many other major companies like Globetrotters Engineering Corporation (an architectural company founded by CEO, Niranjan Shah) work every day to help the environment by designing energy efficient buildings and homes. This shows that the green movement is big enough even for companies like Siemens and Niranjan Shah’s Globetrotters Corporation.

Earth Day will celebrate its 40th anniversary, but in many ways this year’s celebration is somewhat of a rebirth. The day that was originally created to spread awareness and education of the planet’s problems has now become something more meaningful. It has now become a day in which the world works together to help and protect the Earth we all call home.

This post was contributed by Dan Grifen of Everything Left.

The Nature Conservancy have announced the finalists of their 4th Annual Digital Photo Contest. In an email to members, the Nature Conservancy said:

Thank you to everyone who submitted an image for consideration. Your love of nature has inspired us and continues to remind us of the magnificent lands, waters and wondrous species we work to protect and preserve, every day.

The support of members like you has allowed us to protect and restore over 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of river and is the reason that we are the leading conservation organization working around the world today.

There are 15 finalists in total, and it’s now up to you to vote for your favorite. Voting is open until Monday, February 8, 2010 at 10am EST. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on February 15, 2009.

The winning photo will be featured on The Nature Conservancy’s website, which is visited by more than 3 million people annually.

So, place your vote now.

You can also check out all submitted photos at the Nature Conservancy’s Flickr page.

The Nature Conservancy is continuing to offer green gifts this year, with its Green Gift Guide. You may remember that it launched its Green Corporate Gift-Giving Center last year.

Included in this year’s gift guide are TNC’s “Top 5 Eco-Friendly Holiday Gifts”.

1. Adopt an Acre ($50 per acre)

   Help protect threatened habitats by adopting acres in critical locations around the world at only $50 per acre. Adopt an acre in one of the following places:

   • Africa’s Grasslands and Savannas
   • Austalia’s Gondwana Link
   • Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula
   • The Appalachians in the United States
   • Las Californias in the United States
   • Southern Coastal Plain Forests in the United States
   • Brazil Atlantic Forest
2. Plant a Tree in the Atlantic Forest ($1 per tree)

   One dollar plants one tree and helps support the Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.

   When you give Plant a Billion Trees as a gift, you can select the number of trees you plant and to help save paper, you can set up an e-card to announce your gift on any day you choose.

3. Adopt a Coral Reef

   The Adopt a Coral Reef program raises funds for important coral reef projects in the Dominican Republic, Palau and Papua New Guinea. The program provides critical funds for the permanent protection and restoration of these reefs.

   As some of the most biodiverse and wondrous places in the world, coral reefs need our immediate attention. If the present rate of destruction continues, 70% of the world’s coral reefs will be destroyed by the year 2050.

4. Help Save the Northern Jaguar.

   Deforestation and hunting have led to the decline of the northern jaguar. Your gift helps protect the habitat that northern jaguars need to survive and flourish.

5. Give Clean Water

   Every time a free-flowing river is altered, a lake is fouled by toxic runoff or a wetland is drained, the ability of freshwater systems to sustain life is disrupted and weakened. Your gift will help to finance conservation activities such as restoring riparian forest, setting up environmental education projects, installing equipment that tracks pollution and sedimentation rates in rivers and streams and giving families peace of mind that the water they drink is safe and clean.

So there you have it. The top 5 eco-friendly holiday gifts from The Nature Conservancy. Be sure to check out their other gifts at the Green Gift Guide.

The tuatara's ancestors roamed the earth with the dinosaurs 225 million years ago.

The tuatara is the only survivor of a group of reptiles that roamed the earth at the same time as dinosaurs - about 225 million years ago.

There are two species of tuatara, both of which are endemic to New Zealand. The scientific name for the two species are Cook Strait Tuatara (scientific name: Sphenodon punctatus) and Brothers Island Tuatara (scientific name: Sphenodon guntheri). 

Appearance

The tuatara is a greenish, brown reptile that grows to between 50 cm and 80 cm long.

It has distinctive soft spines along the top of its head and down its backbone. Although it looks much like a lizard, tuatara is actually the only surviving member of the order Sphenodontia. 

Tuatara don’t have external ears but they are able to hear. 

The tuatara is famous for its “third eye” or pineal or parietal eye located in the middle of its forehead. The eye has a small lens and retina, but it becomes covered by a thin layer of opaque scales about 4 to 6 months after birth.

The purpose of this parietal eye is unknown, but some scientists have suggested that it is used as a light sensor as opposed to forming visual objects. 

Habitat and Distribution

The tuatara is endemic to New Zealand.

Up until a thousand years ago, tuatara occurred in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Now, the tuatara can now only be found on islands in the North Island.

Tuatara tend to live in burrows in native forest, but can often be found occupying abandoned sheep pasture. They will often share burrows with seabirds such as petrels and shearwaters.

Growth

Tuatara has the slowest growth rate of any reptile. It can take as many as 30 to 35 years for a tuatara to reach full size. 

Tuatara usually lives to around 60 or 70, but they have been known to live to more than 100. In fact, one tuatara was seen mating last year at the ripe old age of 111.

Diet

Tuatara’s main diet consists of Insects, spiders, earthworms, snails and small lizards. Tuatara have also been known to kill and eat small seabirds and their eggs as well as young tuatara.

Behavior

Tuatara are mainly nocturnal and remain in their burrows during the day and prowl at night. They tend to have a lower body temperature than their environment, and they are active at lower body temperatures than most reptiles. They often come out during the day to bask in the sun.

Although they don’t actually go into hibernation, tuatara will often go six months without food during winter. 

Ancestory

The tuatara’s ancestory dates back to the dinosaur time. Ancestors of the tuatara and many other sphenodons were roaming the world 225 million years ago. This was about the time the first dinosaurs appeared. 

All other sphenodons disappeared around 65 million years ago and exist only as fossils. As a result, scientists often refer to the tuatara as a “living fossil”.

Tuatara Mating & Breeding

Tuatara reach sexual maturity at between 10 to 20 years of age. 

The female, on average, lays between 5 and 18 eggs only once every 4 years, which gives it the longest reproductive cycle of any reptile.

Mating season for tuatara is between January and March. Female tuatara then lay their eggs between October and December.

Hatchlings appear between 12 to 15 months after the eggs were laid. To break the egg, they use their egg tooth (a sharp pointed spike at the end of the snout).

Conservation Status

For millions of years, tuatara populations thrived in New Zealand. Then over the last thousand years or so, tuatara populations declined rapidly, almost to the point of extinction.

The main culprits were introduced rats, cats, dogs, and humans. Not to mention fires and land clearing.

The tuatara, was almost wiped out by the 1700s. In fact, in 1895, the tuatara was one of the first animals in the world to become fully protected by law.

Since then, significant tuatara populations have survived on 32 remote islands around New Zealand. Stephens Island/Takapourewa is home to about 50,000 tuatara, which represents about 90% of the tuatara population.

Since 1996, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has listed the Brothers Island Tuatara as Vulnerable and the Cook Strait Tuatara as Lower Risk/least concern, although IUCN has also stated that this needs updating.