The Blue Whale, the world's biggest animals, were in danger of extinction as a result of whaling. We then highly enforced the protection of these massive animals. As a result blue whales are rebounding from that disaster and have almost returned to good numbers. the downside is that researchers have only seen blue whales in California returning. Still, they are very close to returning to normal numbers, which is vital to keep the ecosystem stable.
"It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for - the whole thing - rather than just one or two stars."
-David Attenborough
Questions? Email me, Ronak Sathyanarayana, at ronaks@goanimals.org.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Chinese Sturgeon on Brink of Extinction
The Chinese sturgeon is thought to be 140 million years old. 32 years ago, researchers started tracking the fish because its numbers drastically decreased. Because of water pollution, the number were falling even more. Last year, there were no reports of Chinese sturgeon breeding in wild. Chinese sturgeon are at a dangerously low number. Not only them, other animals in the Yangtze river like the finless porpoise are in danger of extinction.
Ban on Circus Animals
Recently, the Mexican Legislature passed a bill banning circus animals in Mexico. It is not signed by their president yet, but we are taking one more step towards saving the Earth. Some cities have already placed this ban, and if this bill is signed, then all cities in Mexico will have to enforce it. The bill states that circuses must publish what they will be using and make them available to zoos. Violation of this results in fines. Again, it is not official that the president of Mexico has signed it.
Wolves and Bears Making Comeback in Europe
Wolves and bears have been in danger all around the world for a very long time. The negative side is that the great lakes wolves have returned to the endangered species list. The positive side is that wolves and bears are making a comeback in Europe. The population of wolves is now doubled the amount in the US. In fact, they are making a comeback near densely populated cities. The more effort we put to protecting animals like these, the more we can guarantee their safety.
World's Largest Earwig becomes Extinct
You may know what an earwig is. An earwig is an insect found all throughout the world. They have 2 pincers on their abdomen and is nocturnal. One specific species of earwig is the topic. The st. Helena giant earwig, the world's largest earwig (8cm), was declared extinct. The earwig has been endangered since 1960, when deforestation forced them to move. Now, because we didn't take the appropriate response to the problem, they have become extinct.
Life in Mariana Trench Revealed
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Poaching in Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park, in South Africa, is home to many protected animals including elephants. A case of elephants poaching hasn't popped up in almost a decade. Kruger has already been dealing with rhino killings, and now they have to deal with a big elephant poaching case. Elephants, usually the males, are poached for their ivory in their tusk. On Thursday, rangers found a dead bull elephant on the ground missing its tusks. But along with the elephant killings, in 5 months, 245 rhinos have been killed fro their horns. Poaching has become a much bigger deal because of the amount of animals they are now killing. Elephants are one of the animals that needs to be protected, and we have to do anything we can stop the threat of poaching.
New Species of Catfish Discovered
In the Yomgo River, located in Northern India, Zoologists found a new species of Catfish. The genus of which the fish belongs to only holds two species. Very little is known about the new Creteuchiloglanis payjab.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Blue-Footed Boobies becoming threatened in Galapagos
The Galapagos are home to many endangered species, but now, a new species joins the list. Boobies play a key role of being part of the Galapagos ecosystem. The Blue-footed booby has declined more than 50% in the last 20 years. Researchers believe that the decline is due to a decrease in sardines, the source of food for the boobies. The decline was first noticed in 1997. Researchers say "until 1997, there were literally thousands of boobies at these breeding sites, and hundreds of nests full of hatching chicks." The question still remains is, how is there a decline of sardines? Some of the possible reasons include overfishing, climate change, a new species eating more of the fish, and other reasons. The main problem is that there is not sufficient offspring to stay stable. Id there is not enough booby chicks, the majority of the flock gets old, and do not get replaced by younger ones. Also, the older boobies cannot reproduce after a certain age. It is not proven that it is because of humans, but if it is, we need to do something about it. Even if we are not to blame, we need to give the best we can to protect one of the important animals of our Earth.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Bald Eagle Nest Cams
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/03/140306-animals-bald-eagle-cams-environment-endangered-species/
Decorah, Iowa: The Raptor Resource Project has been watching this nest since 2009, and has observed 17 eaglets. There are currently three eggs in the snow-covered nest, the third one laid on March 2.
Brookfield, Maine: Cameras allow a glimpse of nature in the raw, which can be unforgiving. Last year one of two cameras in Brookfield transmitted images of a dying eaglet that raised concern from online watchers. Conservationists advise not interfering with birds, even when they are in harm's way.
Ft. Meyers, Florida: Located on private property farther south than many other eagle cams, this nest is home to a 10-week-old bird that spent much of February strengthening its wings. Soon the young bird will take its first flight.
Mount Berry, Georgia: Keeping an eye on a pair that nested very late in the season last year, Berry College has used interest in the camera to help educate the public about bald eagles. They hosted an hour-long Q and A with Berry College professor and eagle expert Reneé Carleton, who answered questions from email and Twitter such as, "Why did the dad bury the unhatched egg?"
Redding, California: Liberty and Spirit, the pair nesting in view of this camera in northern California's Turtle Bay Exploration Park, are unusual because Spirit is the second male to mate with Liberty. Her previous mate, Patriot, died last year.
New Family of Bird Discovered in Asia
Very little is known about this bird. Scientists call this family of birds "wren-babblers". But there is one strange fact. It's not really a family of birds. There's only one species of bird in this family.
New Species of Wasps Discovered
Apanteles albanjimenez, a parasitic wasp, was discovered in Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. This wasp wil lay its eggs with other insects. When the eggs hatch, the wasps eat the other insect. Almost 200 of this species were discovered. Very little is know about these wasps. Scientists believe that it eats aphids.
Bumblebees Get Hit by CCD
CCD, also known as Colony Collapse Disorder, effects bees. Huge hives have died from this disorder and no one knows why. Bees play the important role of pollination in our ecosystem. But if the #1 pollinators are dying, who's going pollinate the flowers. Sure there are other animals to pollinate, but each flower has one pollinator that it depends on. Most flowers depend on bees. To make matters worse, a study came out that now bumblebees have been hit CCD. Bumblebees are pollinators too. Every animal is needed on this planet and one small animal can impact the world.
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