Image courtesy of ARKive.org

Image courtesy of ARKive.org media library

Species: Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)

Status: Critically Endangered (CR)

Interesting fact: The southern bluefin tuna is one of the largest bony fish in the world, growing up to 4.3 metres long!

The southern bluefin tuna is an incredibly streamlined and powerful fish capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km per hour through the water. Swimming together in shoals, the southern bluefin tuna migrates vast distances from the spawning grounds in the Indian Ocean to the feeding grounds in colder, southern waters. During the spawning period, a mature female will produce several million eggs. Southern bluefin tuna are opportunistic predators, feeding on a wide variety of other fish as well as crustaceans, cephalopods and other marine animals.

The southern bluefin tuna has been fished to the brink of extinction. Its flesh is highly prized in Japan, where an individual fish can fetch as much as 10,000 US dollars. The Commission for the Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna was set up in 1994 to control the overfishing of this species; but some scientists believe more drastic measures need to be taken to save this species from extinction.

Find out more about this species on the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) website.

See this species on Google Earth.

See images and videos of the southern bluefin tuna on ARKive.

Image Source: Flickr. By: MattJeppson.

This creature is mainly found in the Sierra Nevada area of California. They range approximately between 2 and 3 inches (5 and 7.5 cm) in size, have orange or yellow coloring on their underside, yellow or red coloring on their topside, and black or brown spots. They love sunny riverbanks, lake borders, and meadow streams; unfortunately, there aren’t many left to enjoy their former territory. In fact, in the past century, more than 90% of their population has died out. Estimated population size (for those located south of the Sierra Nevada) in 2003 was about 183 and they are currently known to inhabit only 7 or 8 locations.

It’s claimed that when they are handled, they smell like garlic, but I wouldn’t try to eat them—they are severely threatened by pesticide use. Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frogs are probably one of the worst hit species from windborne agricultural pesticides. A study conducted by Davidson and Knapp involved the surveying of 6831 bodies of water. The Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frog was found at 13% (about 888) of the surveyed bodies of water, along with introduced fish species (which also pose a threat, but will be discussed later). At a number of the locations, the fish were removed and unfortunately, the frogs in those bodies of water failed to survive.

Apparently, research performed on the dead frogs from the areas with removed fish showed that the frogs had higher levels of pesticides in their tissue. Other research on amphibians in general shows that not only are pesticides dangerous in general, but they are also known to make the infected amphibian more vulnerable to disease.

One pesticide that poses the biggest threat to the Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frog is Atrazine. Atrazine is a very dangerous pesticide; so dangerous that it has to be specially regulated by the EPA and the State of California. Only those certified by the state are allowed to use this pesticide and only under specific conditions. The toxicity levels in this pesticide are known to cause groundwater contamination, kill birds and fish, and even cause illness in humans including: cancer, lung and kidney damage, congestive heart failure, muscle degeneration and more. If it can do all that damage to a large human, imagine what it could do to a tiny frog; especially considering that Atrazine takes a long time to break down in the environment.

It may shock you to learn that pesticides can actually take decades to completely disappear from the environment and there are frogs that live in places where pesticides have not been used in years, yet they still have pesticides in their tissue because they get it from their home environment. This also has a damaging effect on tadpoles and juvenile frogs.

The good news is people around the world are fighting to reduce (and perhaps eliminate) pesticide use. The bad news is, these frogs are also threatened by pollution, human intrusion/disturbance, climate change, drought, introduced fish species (mainly Trout), ultraviolet radiation (which affects the eggs and developmental process), and the nasty, infectious fungal disease, chytridiomycosis, which is notoriously known to kill amphibians—especially frogs.

To find out more about the Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frog (because there is far too much to write!), check out these links:

IUCN Red List
Wikipedia
The Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Site
AmphibiaWeb
Western Soundscape Archive (frog sounds)
Save The Frogs!
CaliforniaHerps
Center for Biological Diversity
Reptile Channel
Southern California Camping: Field Guide to Plants and Animals
Sierra Forest Legacy
New Hope for Endangered Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Flickr. By: Philippe Guillaume.

The Angel Shark (sometimes also referred to as the Monkfish, Angel Ray, or Fiddle Fish—among other names) is a Critically Endangered species. Unlike other species of shark (like the Great White), this particular kind has a flattened body with enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins. Given their Ray-like appearance, they are excellent at hiding along the sea floor. In fact, it uses this very camouflage technique to attack prey. Angel Sharks are nocturnal creatures and they will hide under the sand and wait until they can ambush passing prey. Food of choice for these creatures include: bony fish, skates, and invertebrates.

The female of the species is larger than the male (7.9 feet, or 2.4 m, compared to 5.9 feet, or 1.8 m) and they give birth to live young. In fact, the female Angel Shark will give birth to litters ranging between 7 and 25 pups, every other year. However, despite their size and large litters, these creatures are fighting a losing battle and their population is on the decline. Very few of them are seen throughout the northern areas and it’s suspected that they may even be extinct in some areas already.

Angel Sharks get a lot of grief from the fishing industry. In particular, they are extremely vulnerable to becoming bycatch in trawls, trammel nets and bottom longlines. Tourism, habitat loss and human disturbance also pose threats to these great creatures. Currently, it is protected near the Balearic Islands and by the UK, but nowhere else. To find out more about the Angel Shark and how you can help, check out the links:

IUCN Red List
Arkive
Buzzle: Facts About the Angel Shark
Save Our Sharks
Absolute Astronomy: Angel Shark
Shark Angels

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. By: Velela.

Wollemi Pine trees are actually closer to related to species of the Araucariaceae family. These trees can be found in temperate rainforests and the last known fossil of the Wollemi Pine dates back 200 million years! Because of this, it is commonly referred to as a ‘Living Fossil’. Currently, these trees can be found along a stream near the bottom of a sandstone canyon located in Wollemi National Park (go figure). They are a Critically Endangered species.

The Wollemi Pine grows between 80 and 130 feet (25 and 40 m) tall, has dark brown bark and a unique growth pattern. The branches of this tree will grow for several years and then do one of 2 things: either create a cone or stop growing completely. At this point, the branch will die and new branches will grow from dormant buds located along the tree’s trunk.

If you ever hope to see this tree, keep an eye out for leaves that are flat linear and arranged in a spiral pattern along the stem. The leaves will be between 1.18 and 3.15 inches (3-8 cm) long, and the seed cones will start out green with a length between 2.36 and 4.72 inches (6-12 cm), while the pollen cones are between 1.97 and 4.33 inches (5-11 cm). However, I wouldn’t keep my hopes up, if I were you—there are less than a hundred Wollemi Pine trees known to be growing in the wild, and all generally in the same area. The good news is, it may have a chance in making a comeback as a botanical garden or ornamental tree, though that effort is still a work in progress.

To find out more about the Wollemi Pine, check out these links:

WollemiPine.com
Botanic Gardens Trust: The Wollemi Pine – A Very Rare Discovery
The Gymnosperm Database: Wollemi Pine
National Geographic Presents a Major Botanical Find of the Century: ‘Living Fossil’ Wollemi Pine Available for First Time in North America
BBC: ‘Dinosaur Trees’ Heavily Guarded

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Edited screen capture from Google.

The Pygmy Three-toed Sloth is a Critically Endangered species. They are 20% smaller than other Three-toed Sloth species and weigh 40% less. Their homes can be found throughout the mangrove forests that surround the Isla Escudo de Veraguas—at least, for the time being.

Sloths are generally known to be slow movers through the trees, but if you put them in water you’ll see a whole different side. Three-toed Sloths are actually good swimmers. Another thing that may surprise you is, although the Three-toed Sloth is a mammal, their body temperature behaves more like a reptile in that they cannot maintain a constant body temperature. In other words, their body temperature will change with the air temperature around them.

Now, as for the Pygmy Three-toed Sloth, this little creature is in a terrible situation. You already know that it can only be found in the mangroves. What you don’t know is the population is on a rapid decline and right now it’s uncertain how many are actually left. Estimations are in the several hundreds, but that could be extreme wishful thinking. They typically feed on the leaves in the mangrove and although the area is supposed to be protected as a wildlife refuge, but enforcement of that protection is pretty much a joke.

Local residents, fishermen and others go to the island to hunt and ultimately poach these Pygmy Three-toed Sloths. Habitat loss and tourism development have also posed major threats to this species. To find out more about the Pygmy Three-toed Sloth, check out the links below:

Arkive
The Animal Files
Forgotten Species: The Marooned Pygmy Three-toed Sloth
Newly Described Mammals Week: Pygmy Three-toed Sloth
National Geographic: Three-toed Sloths
Animal Facts: Pygmy Three-toed Sloth

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Flickr. By: Andras Jancsik.

The Queen of the Andes plant can grow up to 32.8 feet (10 m) tall and has more than three thousand flowers and between 6 and 12 million seeds on a single plant! It is a Critically Endangered species, with populations on the decline and they are a very isolated and scattered species. Outside of its native habitat, you won’t find many of these plants, except maybe a few dozen in botanical gardens.

Queen of the Andes will produce seeds only once in their lifetime—usually within an 80 year period—and they are very picky about their habitat conditions. If the environment isn’t to their liking by the time it comes for seed dispersal, very few (if any) seeds may germinate at all. Insect pollination and weather also plays a role in this.

Despite its pickiness for a good seed dispersal area, Queen of the Andes can survive some pretty harsh conditions. They can thrive in low altitudes, high humidity and high temperatures. They tend to live on sloping, rocky parts of the mountains, where air temperatures can reach -4 F (-20 C) or lower. They have also taken quite a battering from Climate Change, which is one of their main threats.

In addition to the ongoing threat from Climate Change and habitat alteration, Queen of the Andes has a lot of violence to deal with. People throw large stones at the plant (for gods know what reason), cattle trample or eat the younger plants, and then there are the fires. Fires are set in certain areas to make room for pastures. The plant’s sharp, thorny leaves are also burned so people can get to the starch in the trunk, which is used for nothing more than food for the cattle.

To find out more about the Queen of the Andes (including how different it appears between youth and adulthood), check out these links:

Uncle Derek Says: Puya raimondii
Strange Wonderful Things
Arkive
…en Peru: Puya raimondii
Opuntia Blog

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Screen capture from Yahoo Images.

I’m sure some of you may be thinking: “aren’t all Blue Whales the same?” No! They are not. There are actually a couple of subspecies, such as the Antarctic Blue Whale and the Pygmy Blue Whale. However, these subspecies have not gained recognition in all areas of the world yet, and so there are people who still group them together with the commonly known Blue Whale. It’s also possible that the Antarctic Blue Whale is actually the commonly known Blue Whale, since it’s known to be the largest animal on the planet and the Blue Whale is generally referred to as the largest animal on the planet, but that all comes later.

Now, as for the Antarctic Blue Whale, this particular subspecies is Critically Endangered. In the span of three generations, their population dropped by more than 97%. Today, less than 3% of them remain, compared to how many there were a century ago. Although their name suggests they have a strong liking for the Antarctic territory, they can also be found around Australia and some of the more southern regions of Africa and South America.

Being the largest living mammal known to humans, it may surprise you to learn the Antarctic Blue Whale feeds on some of the smallest creatures of the planet: Krill. Krill are tiny, shrimp-like creatures that many whales and other marine animals feed on. They enjoy the Antarctic Polar Front and pack ice zones during the summer months, but their winter grounds are still unknown. Some speculate that the whales remain in the Antarctic area year-round, while others believe winter is the time they can be found closer to Africa or scattered elsewhere. However, these ocean giants have been hunted to extremes in the past, so they aren’t seen as often in some places these days.

Although fishing still poses a threat to the Antarctic Blue Whale, there is some good news! These whales are currently protected around the globe, including by the IWC (International Whaling Commission). No hunting of them is allowed and their numbers are slowly on the increase, though they still retain their Critically Endangered status. I don’t know for sure how many of them are alive, but to find out more information about these awesome creatures, check out the links:

IUCN Red List: Antarctic Blue Whale
IUCN Red List: Blue Whale
EarthTimes: Decline of Antarctic Blue Whale Led to Paradoxical Fall in Krill
Conservation and Endangerment: The South Pole
Fish and Aquatic News: Blue Whales are Reclaiming Their Old Feeding Grounds

By Heidi Marshall

Note: I know I’ve been slacking on the Creature Features these last few weeks. So, to make up for it, there will be a new Creature Feature every day from today ‘til next Wednesday. Enjoy!

The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (also known as the Land Lobster or the Lord Howe Island Phasmid) is a critically endangered species that was once believed to be extinct. In the 1930s, it was presumed that there were no remaining members of this species; however, they were amazingly rediscovered in 2001. Although the name suggests this Stick Insect is from Lord Howe Island (which was its largest habitat), it was actually extinct on that island for a long time. The rediscovery took place on Ball’s Pyramid (the tallest volcanic stack in the world—14 miles southeast of Lord Howe Island), where less than 30 of these creatures were found.

These Land Lobsters can grow up to 5.9 inches (15 cm) in length and the females are typically larger than the males. They have no wings (unlike most other phasmids), but they are pretty fast runners. One interesting thing to note about this creature is that the males will follow the females and base their own activities on whatever the female is doing. As far as reproduction goes, the female will lay her eggs while hanging from branches. Like human babies, the nymphs will emerge up to 9 months later. When first born, they are bright green and active during the day, but as they get older the green will fade to black and they develop a taste for the nightlife.

Before their extinction on Lord Howe Island, these Stick Insects were used as fishing bait. While that certainly contributed to their decline, what really did them in was the introduction of black rats in 1918, after a ship ran aground. After 1920, none of these insects were ever seen on the island again.

It’s uncertain how many of the Lord Howe Island Stick Insects remain today, but there is some good news. A research team collected 2 breeding pairs of these insects from Ball’s Pyramid, in 2003. One pair was sent to a private breeder in Sydney and the other to Melbourne Zoo. By 2008, the captive population had soared to almost 450 insects and 20 were actually returned to a special habitat on Lord Howe Island.

To find out more about the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect, check out these links:

The Lord Howe Island Phasmid: An Extinct Species Reborn
Preparing Lord Howe Island for the Phasmid
Oz Animals
Animal Planet News
Australian Insects
Phasmid Study Group – Lord Howe Island Stick Insect Hatching (video)

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. By: Richard Bartz.

The Northern Bald Ibis (aka the Hermit Ibis or Waldrapp) is a decent sized member of the Ibis family (about 28-31 inches or 70-80 cm). Once found across northern Africa, southern Europe, and the Middle East, this critically endangered bird is now limited to Morocco (about 500) and Syria—where less than 10 remain. Although there have been some semi-wilding breeding colonies or reintroduction programs added to a few countries, including Turkey, Austria, and Spain, these birds are still in a very bad situation.

This particular kind of Ibis is rather unique from the other members of its family, because it is a non-wading bird. This might explain why they choose habitats that are barren, rocky, or have a desert-like quality to them—although, they do keep running water nearby. Their heads and faces are bald (hence part of the name) and they love to feed on lizards and other small animals.

Nesting sites can be found on cliff ledges or throughout boulders along steep slopes. Between 2 and 4 eggs are laid each time and this bird can brag about something that a lot of other species can’t (including humans). Once they pick their partner, the Ibis pair will stay together for life. Both parents are also very involved with the raising of their chicks, from the incubating period to when they take their first flight. In captivity, these birds can live for an average of 20-25 years, but in the wild they’ve only been able to survive for 10-15 years.

Although the Ibis has been acknowledged and revered as a bird of spiritual importance by many cultures (especially Egyptian, as it’s associated with the god Thoth), this species has been on the decline for a very long time. Remember how they were once native to Europe? They disappeared from there over 300 years ago. Among the threats the Northern Bald Ibis faces, you’ll find hunting, invasive species, pollution, human intrusion, pesticide use, and residential or commercial development.

To find out more about this awesome bird, check out these links:

Arkive
Intensive Fauna Surveying of Central Syrian Desert
International Advisory Group of the Northern Bald Ibis
IUCN Red List Assessment
Poison Blamed for Ibis’ Deaths
Birdorable
Birdlife International

By Heidi Marshall

The Freshwater Sawfish (also known as the Largetooth Sawfish or Leichhardt’s Sawfish) is a critically endangered species that can be found between latitudes 11 N and 39 S in the Indo-West Pacific oceans. It grows up to 23 ft (approx. 7 m) in length, though you’re probably more interested in its “saw” feature. The saw is broad-based and has between 14 and 23 teeth along each side. They prefer going upstream in rivers or into freshwater lakes. I can’t say for certain what it all likes to eat, but I do know that the Freshwater Sawfish gives birth to live young.

These creatures are on a rapid decline and their populations are extremely fragmented. One of the biggest threats posed to them is fisheries. Their “saws” tend to attract tourist and unfortunately, turn up as “souvenirs” more often than not. Other threats posed to the Freshwater Sawfish include: oil spills, climate change and severe weather, human intrusion, and pollution.

To find out more, check out the IUCN’s listing here.

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Flickr.

The Buglosse Crépu (Anchusa crispa) is a critically endangered species and can only be found in 2 places: the French island of Corsica and the Italian island of Sardinia. Their habitat on both islands is limited to the sandy soils found along the upper part of beaches and covers an area less than 6 square miles (10 square km) on both islands combined. This little flower’s colors vary, depending on the age, and range from pale blue to blue-violet; size of the plant varies roughly between 4 and 14 inches (10 and 35 cm).

Unfortunately, this plant is on the decline and threats are coming from both humans and nature. Human construction and road work, mechanical beach cleaning, and other beach activities are all killing the Buglosse Crépu. Climate Change, severe storms and flooding are also taking their toll on this species.

The good news is this plant is at least legally protected in Corsica. The bad news is that all it takes is some excessive trampling to kill it off. To find out more about this species, check out these links:

The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants (pdf file)
Arkive
Evidence for Local Outbreeding Depression in the Mediterranean Island Endemic Anchusa crispa Viv. (Boraginaceae)

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The Black Abalone is a critically endangered large sea snail, or gastropod mollusk. The shell can be one of the following colors: dark brown, dark green, dark blue or other dark (nearly black) shade, but not black itself. However, the rest of the animal (tentacles, foot, etc.) is all black. The inside of the shell has a light pink and green tint to it and surprisingly, the outside of the shell is actually rather smooth, which is not common among most other abalone species. The Black Abalone’s shell can grow to a max size of 7.9 inches (20 cm), but usually will average somewhere between 3.9 and 5.5 inches (10 and 14 cm).

Black Abalones like to make their homes on rocky surfaces located within low intertidal zones. Being strictly vegetarian, these creatures love to feed on drift algae and kelp. They can also live for at least 30 years or more, but unfortunately, the numerous threats they face don’t allow most to reach that point.

You see, the Black Abalone is highly preyed upon. Natural predators include sea otters, fish, and crustaceans. And then, there are humans. Humans have hunted and preyed upon these creatures for more than 10,000 years. Apart from eating them, humans have used the shells to make beads, fish hooks, and ornaments. Needless to say, overfishing still plays a part in their decline and there is one other major threat they face: Withering Abalone Syndrome.

Withering Abalone Syndrome is a disease that usually targets Black and Red abalone species. Caused by the bacterium Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis, the disease attacks the lining of the Abalone’s digestive track and basically puts a stop to the production of digestive enzymes. This forces the Abalone to eat itself in order to prevent starvation, thus resulting in withering and atrophy of the foot (or body) of the creature. The deterioration makes it more difficult for the Abalone to cling to rocks and exposes them even further to predators. If they are not taken by the predators, they will starve to death.

To find out more about the Black Abalone, check out these sites:

Black Abalone: Living on the Edge and in Need of Critical Habitat
NOAA: Black Abalone
Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association
Center for Biological Diversity: Saving the Black Abalone
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Status Review Report for Black Abalone
SIMoN (Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network)
Bay Nature: Black Rock Abalone Endangered
Abalone Network: Poachers Threaten Monterey’s Endangered Black Abalone

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. By: Ian Goudie.

This week’s Creature Feature takes us to the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska to find a species that is one of the most endangered in the world.

The Boreal Felt Lichen (so named for its appearance) is a foliose cyanolichen and one of the most endangered lichen species in the world. When dry, the lichen appears to be gray-brown in color and when wet, the lichen turns to a nice shade of slate-blue. Underneath, you’ll find white coloring and the top of the Boreal Felt Lichen is pocked with reddish-brown spots. This fuzzy plant has lobes that can grow up to 5 cm (1.97 inches) across, which sometimes have a diameter of 12 cm (4.72 inches).

Surprisingly, the Boreal Felt Lichen was once found in Norway and Sweden, but it has disappeared entirely from both countries. Right now, the remaining habitats of this plant include Nova Scotia (less than 200), Newfoundland, and the Denali area of Alaska. If you want to go searching for this lichen before it disappears completely, your best bet is to check out Balsam Fir trees that grow in areas with a lot of moisture and a lot of Sphagnum moss.

Threats to the critically endangered Boreal Felt Lichen include: acid rain, air pollution, logging, invasive and introduced species—particularly herbivores. Fortunately, their main populations in Newfoundland are within protected areas, so they still have a fighting chance. To find out more about the Boreal Felt Lichen, check out these links:

Arkive
Newfoundland Nature
Nova Scotia’s Species at Risk
The Nature Conservancy of Canada: Protecting Habitat for the Boreal Felt Lichen
Erioderma
IUCN Red List Profile
Canada.com

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Flickr. By: Pandiyan.

I have some good news about a rather large reptile that we don’t report about too often. Recently, there was a successful hatching of 13 Siamese Crocodiles!

I never knew there was such a thing as a Siamese Crocodile, but apparently they are a critically endangered species that can dispersed throughout Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and possibly Thailand. Excessive hunting and habitat loss have been their main threats and it was only in 1992 that they were believed to be extinct in the wild; so, this hatching is an extra-joyous occasion.

It all started with the discovery of a nest with 22 eggs in the Areng Valley (of the Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia). Volunteers of UK-based Fauna and Flora International took 15 of the eggs and incubated them in a compost heap similar to the original nest. The other 7 eggs were left behind because they did not appear to be fertilized, while the 15 incubated eggs were guarded around-the-clock.

All the rescuing, watching and waiting finally paid off: 10 baby crocodiles hatched from the incubation area and 3 from the original nest also emerged. The 3 were found when field coordinator, Sam Han, went to retrieve a camera-trap from the site, which contained 2 infrared shots of the mother returning to the nest.

Now, the crocs are being kept in a water-filled enclosure in a local village. Fortunately for the crocs, the natives of the area (Chouerng) hold crocodiles in high regard as forest spirits and believe its bad luck to harm them. Most likely, the crocodiles will be released to the wild at some point next year, but unfortunately their survival chances are slim.

A major hydropower project is expected to happen in that very valley and there is still the ongoing threat of poaching for their soft skin.

You can find out more about the crocodile hatching here.

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Flickr. By: TimParkinson.

There are strange things at work among the Borneo Elephant population as of late.

Two female calves were found abandoned in Borneo recently. One was a 2-year-old stuck in a plantation moat and the other was a 6-month-old wandering in another plantation located in Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state. Both calves were starving.

The shock of the matter is nothing like this has ever happened before—there is no known case of those elephant mothers simply abandoning their young. Laurentius Ambu, director of the state wildlife department, said that an official investigation is underway to find out what might have caused such a thing to happen. It’s also uncertain how long each baby elephant was left alone.

The good news is both orphans are now adopted into the care of a wildlife park, also located in Sabah.

Borneo Elephants, also known as Borneo Pygmy Elephants, are a critically endangered species. Deforestation is their main threat and there may only be 1,000 of them left in Sabah state—possibly 2,000 at the most, but that is extremely wishful thinking.

To find out more about these great animals, check out these links:

WWF: Borneo Pygmy Elephant
Animal Planet: Borneo Pygmy Elephants
Save The Elephants

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Flickr. By: Jofre Ferrer.

The Balearic Shearwater is a critically endangered seabird native to the Balearic Islands: an archipelago near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal, Spain, etc.). Until recently, this bird was listed under several wrong classifications, including: a subspecies of the Manx Shearwater, a subspecies of the Mediterranean Shearwater, and finally it was settled as a distinct species from the Yelkouan Shearwater.

Balearic Shearwaters are approximately 14 to 16 inches (35-40 cm) in length and have a wingspan between 33 and 36 inches (85-90 cm). They nest in burrows, though they only visit their nesting site at nighttime to avoid predators. When in flight, it appears as though they change from a dark brown to a dirty white. While at sea, Balearic Shearwaters tend to remain silent and are not apt to follow boats, but bring them ashore to their colonies at night and you’ll have quite the noise to deal with.

Although these birds are typically found in the Mediterranean region, some of them do migrate north to the British Isles and even as far as the Scandinavian Peninsula during the summer months. Food preferred by this bird includes fish and mollusks, and as far as breeding goes, they only lay one egg. Unfortunately, this bird is on a rapid decline and has many threats to contend with. Some of the more severe threats to the Balearic Shearwater include: predators and invasive species, habitat loss and human/tourist development, and pollution and oil spills.

To find out more about the Balearic Shearwater, check out these sites:

BirdLife International
IUCN Red List
Bird Trust for Ornithology
Go Birding
Bird Guides
Project Global

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Flickr.

The Vaquita is a critically endangered species of porpoise, with numbers estimated between 100 and 300. When it travels incognito, you may recognize it as the Cochito, Gulf Porpoise, or even the Hafenschweinswal. The smallest of all porpoises, the Vaquita grows to a maximum length of roughly 5 ft and weight of 110 lb (50 kg). They prefer a home in a shallow, murky lagoon, somewhere amid Mexico’s northern Gulf of California and preferably stocked with a decent supply of fish or squid.

Vaquitas are generally elusive animals in the wild, avoiding boats when they can; however, there have been times when they’ve become aggressive towards humans, using their hard skulls as a weapon. This is rather interesting because this is one animal that’s never been directly hunted. Unfortunately, their population is still on the decline. Why? Most cases point to accidental trappings in gillnets, which are meant for the capturing of another species—the Totoaba. Back in 2000, these nets were attributed to anywhere between 39 and 84 Vaquita deaths per year.

Vaquitas are a rather special species; not because they are critically endangered or the smallest porpoise, but because they are on the top 100 EDGE Species list (at number 78). EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) Species are those that are considered unique, such as in the way they may look or how they behave (take elephants, for example). They are also species who are one of a kind and thus, no close relatives to speak of, making them one of the few (or only) representatives of their species and a top conservation priority.

To find out more about the Vaquita and how you may help, check out these links:

TakePart: Vaquita Article
Vaquita.org
Viva Vaquita!
NOAA Fisheries: Vaquitas
Save the Vaquita
Whale Trackers: The Search for the Desert Porpoise

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. By: Tom Doeppner.

Five one-year-old and 8 three-year-old turtles were sent to the Underwater World Singapore aquarium last week to prepare them for their release. Staff at the aquarium will monitor the turtles and check their health and fitness levels for the release, which is expected to happen some time in September.

Also, the turtles will have satellite devices attached to the back of their shells that will allow scientists to study their migratory behavior and survival skills. These findings will be reported in October at an international convention on biological diversity.

Aquarium curator, Anthony Chang, explained that older turtles that were bred in captivity have a better chance of survival than those who begin life on the beach. Why? Well, according to Chang, people have a tendency to poach the turtles once they hatch from the eggs on the beach. He added:

“The turtles may be collected by people and they may be eaten up. The survivability of the small babies is very, very low.”

Hawksbill Turtles are a critically endangered species and can be found around the world. Their shells can slightly change color, depending on the temperature of the water and they love to feed on sea sponges. Unfortunately for them, they are faced with extinction. Not only are the turtle hatchlings poached, but the larger turtles are also hunted for their flesh, which is considered a delicacy throughout Asia, and their shells, which are used for decorative purposes.

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Edited screen capture from Flickr.

This week’s Creature Feature turns to a species class that many people are not exactly fond of—some people even fear them—but they deserve their turn in the spotlight all the same.

The American Burying Beetle, or Giant Carrion Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), is a critically endangered species and native to North America. They are between 25 and 45 mm in size (roughly 1 to 2 inches) and have a shiny, black body with orange-red markings.

This creature is carnivorous and it’s food—and breeding ground—of choice is carrion; in other words, it likes to eat and breed in dead things. However, despite its rather morbid requirements for mating, the American Burying Beetle is actually one of only a few beetle species to display any signs of parental care.

Now that you are aware of how they became known as a carrion beetle, it’s time to find out why they are a burying beetle. One thing that may have gained them this name is their habit of burying themselves in the soil during the winter. Another reason may be tied in with the carrion. American Burying Beetles will fight over carrion; the pair that wins (generally the largest male and female) will bury the carcass and then they mate. It certainly may seem like strange behavior, to be sure, though I wouldn’t be surprised if they thought the same of ours.

The American Burying Beetle used to be located throughout 35 states and at least 3 Canadian provinces. Now, their populations have decreased to a territory of 5 states and no provinces—less than 10% of their historic range. Their decline has been attributed to habitat loss, alteration and degradation, as well as the use of pesticides. It is unknown how many of these beetles are exactly left, but biologists are working to rebuild their populations. One ongoing project is on the Penikese Island of Massachusetts; here, scientists have released laboratory-raised beetles in an attempt to establish a decent population.

To find out more about the American Burying Beetle, check out these links:

Wikipedia
Encyclopedia of Life
Digimorph
The Wild Ones
Arkive
Roger Williams Park Zoo: American Burying Beetle Recovery Program

By Heidi Marshall

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. By: Mila Zinkova.

Now, the Jellyfish Tree (Medusagyne oppositifolia) is a critically endangered species. You will only find it in one place: on Mahe Island of the Seychelles archipelago (located northeast of Madagascar). You can find it growing in rocky fissures on large granitic outcrops—well, at least what’s left of it. Jellyfish Trees are now extremely scattered, either alone or in small groups, and although Mahe is about 60 square miles in size, this tree is fighting a losing battle.

If you’re wondering how in the world a tree would ever get a name like the Jellyfish Tree, well check out the photo. The tree’s flowers resemble the shape of a jellyfish. One interesting thing to note about this tree is it was actually believed to be extinct until a few people found some survivors back in the 1970s. Oh, and it would also seem that seeds from the Jellyfish Tree are also unable to germinate in the wild. Some suggest the tree (and seeds) needs more humid conditions—at least more than where it’s currently growing. However, the tree also has a strange way of adapting to dry climates and droughts.

Approximately 50 Jellyfish Trees are known to exist today. On top of an inability to successfully germinate seeds in the wild, this tree has also been losing the fight against other species (in competition for proper habitat) and has taken a hard blow from climate change.

To find out more about the Jellyfish Tree, check out these sites:

Arkive: Jellyfish Tree
On the Trail of the Jellyfish Tree

By Heidi Marshall