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Archive for the ‘Endangered Animals’ Category

Of all endangered animals, the chimpanzees are some of the closest animals related to humans. This refers not just to
their physical form, but also their intelligence and emotional disposition. Unfortunately, they are one of the endangered animals whose population is threatened by deforestation and urbanization of their natural habitat.

You can characterize a chimpanzee by his arms which are longer than his legs. His body is short  but hairy. The only place where they don’t have hair is on their armpits, the palms of their hands, fingers, and soles. Baby chimpanzees are born with very little hair, pale, and soft skin.

Their eat meat and plants. The most meat they will eat are baby monkeys, although does not happen very often. Most times, they are happy with ants, termites, fruits, flowers, and tree bark. If you can catch a chimpanzee eating or protecting itself, you will notice it likes to use a stick or leaves to soak up drinking water.

The reason they are an endangered animal is because they become main attractions in zoos and sometimes, even as personal “pets.” They are dangerous animals because in spite of their intelligence, their animal instinct can trigger emotional reactions that can be harmful to humans. As pets, they are kept in cages. They are very entertaining to watch. For instance, they can beg for food, hold hands, kiss, pucker their lips and many other different facial expressions. Just watch out when their lips are clenched tight. It’s a clear sign that they are upset and could attack.

Having them in zoos or captivity can extend their life by more than 15 years. They usually live up to an average of only 40 years if they are free. In captivity and with good care, they can live to 60 years old.

The third reason for being an endangered animal is because the female chimpanzees cannot birth more than one baby at a time. They can get pregnant as early as 12 years old, but if they are living in the wild and have a 9 month pregnancy term, it means this female will only birth to 28 babies maximum. This is assuming she gets pregnant once a year. In most cases, they never reach anywhere close to 28 babies. One reason for this is because a baby chimpanzee stays with its mother for the first 7 years. Currently, the estimated population is less than 200,000 worldwide.

The Bluefin Tuna is in dire need of help. At present, it is at the top of the list of 5 most endangered marine animals in the world. The 3 popular species that fall under this alarm bell are the Atlantic Bluefin, the Pacific Bluefin, and the Southern Bluefin.

The reason for its rapid decrease in numbers is because it is used for Japanese food like sashimi and sushi. They are very large fish so one catch alone is worth a lot of money for fishermen and big companies alike. The Pacific Bluefin is considered the most expensive fish in the world, fetching up to $800 per kilo in the fish market. A jaw-dropping transaction for a Pacific Bluefin tuna took place in 2001, wherein a 200 kilo tuna sold for over US$173,000!

The problem with the fishing methods used is the equipment that not only captures the larger tuna, but also the younger ones. It has been said that the Bluefin tuna has a very slim chance of reaching adulthood. In fact, only 1 in 40 make it, and those that do, become one of the fiercest predators in the ocean. They can survive as an adult for another 15 to 20 years.

Since 1970 though, there has been serious efforts to stem the slaughtering and selling of the Bluefin tuna. Many countries have accepted the Bluefin tuna to be one of the endangered marine animals, yet, the fishing continues to thrive. It’s a case of high demand which entrepreneurs see as income opportunity superceding any environmental cause.

Compared to other tuna species, the Bluefin tuna, which is found around the Mediterranean Sea, is preferred because of its sheer weight and length.  Unlike years ago when fishing nets were used, large fishing companies have shifted to using the purse seine nets. These are synthetic nets that use hydraulics to operate it, and can catch live fish without stressing it, thereby allowing it to be transported as live fish. It is able to catch up to 80% of the Bluefin tuna industry in the Mediterranean. However, because many of the fish caught are small, they are put into tuna farms for fattening – all in the hopes of being able to earn more. Sadly, the demand is not decreasing. In fact, the opposite is happening because of the jump in interest  in Japanese food, and the concept that it can prevent illnesses because of the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids.  On the other hand, there is also the risk of mercury poisoning from tuna species, including the Bluefin tuna.

Photo courtesy NOAA

After spending a short time browsing the beautifully shot pictures and well written blog posts on his site, it quickly becomes apparent that Scotch Macaskill is not only a very talented photographer, but that he also has a great love and genuine interest in the animals he takes pictures of.

Most of the pictures on the site were taken in South Africa (Kruger National Park and parks of KwaZulu-Natal), Botswana (Tuli Block, Chobe, Moremi), and Zambia (Lower Zambezi). They help to showcase the wonderfully diverse wildlife found in these regions.

It’s highly recommended you take the time to look through the pictures and enjoy viewing some of the world’s most majestic, fascinating creatures.

Fantastic stock pictures are also available free of charge for your blog, school report, or article.

In recent times, more and more animals are appearing on the endangered species list.  Changes in habitat, hunting practices, and the prevalence of other animals are all reasons for the increasing disappearance of creatures all over the world.  The danger of extinction is a very real possibility for land animals such as chimpanzees, water animals, and birds alike.

The destruction and alteration of habitats is both a direct and indirect result of the behavior of humans.  People cut down trees in forests, pollute oceans with waste, and release toxins into the air.  The comfort of the human lifestyle comes with a price – carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases alter the natural temperature of the planet.  Cold regions of the planet are growing increasingly warm, and rain isn’t falling in some places.

The release of toxins into the air creates smog, and can even cause acid rain.  When this poisonous rain falls to land, it makes lakes and ponds unlivable for water creatures, kills vegetation, and dries up the land.  Acid rain can adversely affect animals on land, in water, and in the air simultaneously.

Deforestation, the removal of trees and plants, is occurring all over the world.  The land is used for a variety of purposes – to build roads, houses, and recreational facilities, to gain wood, or to create paper.  Forests are necessary to balance oxygen and carbon dioxide on the planet, and without them, the world’s temperature changes.  Deforestation has put many animals at risk of extinction.

Attempting to counter the decrease of animals by releasing pets into the wild only exacerbates the problem.  Introduction of non-native species to an area also disrupts the natural order for local creatures.  Non-native animals may carry bugs or diseases local animals are not equipped to combat.  They may destroy other animals by eating food that was previously only eaten by another species.  New animals may also hunt and kill local animal populations for food.

Hunting isn’t restricted to animals – humans hunt a variety of animals for sport, items of value, for food, or because the animal is considered a pest.  Animals are hunted for their fur, for claws and talons, to keep as pets, and to eat as food.  Although humans have been killing and using animals for thousands of years, a lack of moderation in recent years has presented a problem.  Removal of a species can be enough to disrupt an entire ecosystem.

To help combat these problems, there are a number of things humans can do.  Use public transportation, carpool, bike, or walk to reduce CO2 emissions.  Turn off appliances and lights when they are not in use.  Reduce the amount of waste generated by recycling. Purchase products without excessive packaging. Utilize eco-friendly, low emissions vehicles, and solar powered electronics.  Repair items and reuse them rather than purchasing new things.  Make efforts to minimize heating and air conditioning use in summer and winter months.  Be responsible with pets – do not release creatures into local habitats.  Refrain from purchasing furs or medicines utilizing parts from animals.

All of these are simple solutions everyone can implement into his or her daily life.  If each person on the planet does their part to help animals and the environment, the animals endangered now may be saved from extinction, and the planet may be a better place for all its creatures.