Archives for posts with tag: threatened

Utila Spiny Tailed Iguana

April 1, 2011 //

Utila Spiny Tailed Iguana is a critically endangered species of spinytail iguana endemic to the island of Utila, one of the Islas de la Bahía off the coast of Honduras. The Utila iguana is the only species of iguana and one of only two species of lizard to exclusively inhabit brackish mangrove swamps, forced there due to competition from larger species. This species currently has an estimated wild population of 10,000 animals in 2-3 subpopulations, but is greatly threatened by loss of habitat, as mangrove forests are being used as garbage dump sites and deforested for the construction of homes, resorts, and marinas. Beach habitat is being lost as natural vegetation is removed in preparation for hotel and road construction. According to a survey conducted by the IUCN, exotic invasive plants cover the ground near the mangroves and make the area inappropriate for nesting sites. The iguana is locally hunted for meat, although efforts to educate locals have helped reduce this somewhat in recent years. And we’re dedicated.

Tags conservation, endangered, environment, habitat, habitat loss, Honduras, hunted, iguana, reptile, Spiny, Tailed, threatened, Utila, Utila Spiny Tailed Iguana

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Bali Starling

August 21, 2010 //

The Bali Starling, Leucopsar rothschildi, also known as Rothschild’s Mynah, Bali Myna or Bali Mynah is a medium-sized (up to 25 cm long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Both sexes are similar. The Bali Starling is critically endangered, hovering immediately above extinction in the wild for several years now (BirdLife International 2006). The last stronghold of the species is at West Bali National Park; about 1,000 individuals are believed to be held in captivity legally. And we’re dedicated.

Tags Bali Starling, bird, black market, conservation, endangered, environment, habitat loss, reserve, threatened, vulnerable

Leatherback Turtle

August 20, 2010 //

The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest of all living sea turtles and the fourth largest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. Adult leatherback turtles have few natural predators once they mature. Leatherbacks are most vulnerable to predation in their early life stages. Birds, small mammals, and other opportunists dig up the nests of turtles and consume eggs. Shorebirds and crustaceans prey on the hatchlings scrambling for the sea. Once they enter the water they become prey to predatory fish and cephalopods. Very few survive to adulthood. And we’re dedicated.

Tags aquatic reptile, conservation, endangered, habitat loss, leatherback turtle, ocean, predators, reptile, threatened, turtle, vulnerable

Southern Cassowary

August 12, 2010 //

The Southern Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius, also known as Double-wattled Cassowary, Australian Cassowary or Two-wattled Cassowary, is a large flightless black bird. It is a ratite and therefore related to the Emu, Ostrich, and the genus Rhea. Some threats are through habitat loss (logging), feral animals eating their eggs, hunting, and roadkill. Road building, feral animals and hunting are the worst of these threats. And we’re dedicated.

Tags austrailia, cassowary, conservation, endangered, environment, habitat loss, southern cassowary, threatened, vulnerable

Red Panda

August 9, 2010 //

The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens, or “shining cat”) is a small arboreal mammal and the only species of the genus Ailurus. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, it has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs. It eats mainly bamboo, but is omnivorous and may also eat eggs, birds, insects, and small mammals. It is a solitary animal, mainly active from dusk to dawn, and is largely sedentary during the day. And we’re dedicated.

Tags conservation, endangered, habitat loss, loss, mammal, red panda, reserve, threatened, vulnerable

Manatee

August 5, 2010 //

Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. They are noted for their friendly nature, their large size (up to 3.6 metres (12 ft)), and paddle-like flippers. The name manatí comes from the Taíno, a pre-Columbian people of the Caribbean, meaning “breast”. And we’re dedicated.

Tags boat, boat accidents, conservation, endangered, environment, habitat loss, manatee, threatened, vulnerable

Clouded Leopard

July 31, 2010 //

The Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized cat found in Southeast Asia. It has a tan or tawny coat, and is distinctively marked with large, irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses which are said to be shaped like clouds. This unique appearance gave the mammal both its common and scientific species name (nebulosus is Latin for “cloudy”). The scientific name of the genus, Neofelis, originates from neo, which means “new”, and felis, which means “cat”, so it literally means “new kind of cat.” And we’re dedicated.

Tags big cat, clouded leopard, conservation, endangered, environment, habitat loss, leopard, rare, reserve, threatened, vulnerable

Blue Throated Macaw

July 30, 2010 //

The Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis; previously Ara caninde) is a macaw endemic to a small area of north-central Bolivia known as Los Llanos de Moxos. Recent population and range estimates suggests that about 250–300 individuals remain in the wild. The main causes of their demise is capture for the pet trade and land clearance on cattle ranches. It is currently considered critically endangered and the parrot is protected by trading prohibitions. And we’re dedicated.

Tags birds, Blue throated macaw, conservation, endangered, environment, exotic pets, habitat, habitat loss, macaw, parrot, pets, rare, threatened, vulnerable, wild

Orangutan

July 29, 2010 //

The orangutans are the only exclusively Asian living genus of great ape. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage. They are generally not aggressive and live a mostly solitary life foraging for food. They are the largest living arboreal animals with longer arms than other great apes. Their hair is typically reddish-brown, instead of the brown or black hair typical of other great apes. And we’re dedicated.

Tags conservation, endangered, environment, great ape, habitat, habitat loss, mammal, orangutan, rare, reserve, save the orangutan, threatened, vulnerable

Binturong

July 29, 2010 //

The Binturong (Arctictis binturong), also known as the Asian Bearcat, the Palawan Bearcat, or simply the Bearcat, is a species of the family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets. It is the only member of its genus. The binturong is neither a bear nor a cat, and the real meaning of the original name has been lost, as the local language that gave it that name is now extinct. Its natural habitat is in trees of forest canopy in rainforest of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. And we’re dedicated.

Tags Asian Bearcat, Bearcat, Biturong, conservation, endangered, environment, habitat, habitat loss, nature, Palawan Bearcat, rare, threatened, vunerable, wild