Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Black Footed Ferret

The habitat of the Black Footed Ferret is the northern American Great plains..The number of red footed ferret remaining is just about 1,000.It is the only species of ferret that originated in the north America. In 1986,there were only 18 individuals left.But due to the conservation activities the number has risen dramatically.This species is listed as Endangered due to very small and restricted populations, where there are less than 250 wild born (non-reintroduced) mature individuals distributed among several reestablished populations. Of the 18 current sites where this species has been reintroduced, only three have viable populations. In 1987, this species was considered Extinct in the Wild, current populations have been the result of massive efforts to reintroduce captive animals back to the wild. Although formerly widespread in central North America, it currently exists only as reintroduced populations. The species declined throughout this century to near extinction by the late 1970's, primarily as a result of prairie dog control actions and sylvatic plague. However, after a captive breeding program, it was reintroduced by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service into eight western states and Mexico from 1991-2008. At present, it is considered self-sustaining at only three locations (two in South Dakota and one in Wyoming). Even with augmentation, wild ferret populations remain small, fragmented, and intensively managed.

Borneo Pygmy Elephant

It is found in the Borneo region of Indonesia .The number of remaining Borneo Pygmy Elephant is just about 15,00.It is shorter than the asiatic elephant by about 50 cm. The Borneo Pygmy is also relatively more docile.The males may grow to less than 8.2 feet, while other Asian elephants grow up to 9.8 feet. They have rounder faces, larger ears, and longer tails that reach almost to the ground and are more rotund.
Palm plantation have reduced its range, leaving it crowded for space.They are actually also gentle-natured, leading to the belief for years that they were simply the semi-tame remnants of a domesticated herd abandoned on the island years ago.

The Golden headed Langur

The Golden headed Langur is a species found in Vietnam.It is a very rare species of primate.Unfortunetly, its number remaining is less than 70.It was in the verge of extinction.But in the year 200 it was put into protection.Still its situation is in grave danger.Nevertheless, its number rose in 2003 for the first time in many decades.The golden-headed langur,is probably the most endangered of the Asian colobines.Although the growth of the population is encouraging, the overall status of the species is most critical. As a result of habitat fragmentation, the remaining population is now divided into seven isolated sub-populations, five of which include or consist of all-female groups, thus non-reproducing social units.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Sumatran Tiger

The third Fiercest and the deadliest of the tiger species after the Bengal tiger and the Siberian tiger. This tiger species is one of the most endangered species available in the planet itself.Its number remaining is less than 600.As known by its name it is found in the Sumatran region of Indonesia.It has been surviving there since before the interference of humans that is about before million years. The tigers who once ruled the area are known bound within government protected boundaries.Only about 100 tigers live in the unprotected areas.Though smaller compared to the Bengal and the Siberian tiger.They are very Aggressive and dangerous and have also been responsible for human deaths in the area because the villagers and the tigers live side by side.For this region too the people don't spare the species.However if things don't change than this amazing species of tiger will become extinct. The Sumatran Tiger is the smallest of all surviving tiger subspecies. Male Sumatran tigers average 204 cm (6 feet, 8 inches) in length from head to tail and weigh about 136 kg (300 lb). Females average 198 cm (6 feet, 6 inches) in length and weigh about 91 kg (200 lb). Its stripes are narrower than other subspecies of tigers' stripes, and it has a more bearded and maned appearance, especially the males. Its small size makes it easier to move through dense forests.

Sumatran Tigers commonly prey on preys like Wild boar,Monkey,fowls,fish etc.The continuing loss of habitat is intensifying the crisis to save this tiger.

Giant Panda

The Giant Panda is found in the Regions in China, Burma, Vietnam.It is most probably the most beautiful rare species of animals available in the world.The number remaining is less than 2,000. The main cause of its decline is the loss and fragmentation of its habitat. Research work and effort are showing some results in the chinese region.Captive breeding and species protection are helping the panda species hang on.About the size of an American black bear, giant pandas stand between two and three feet tall at the shoulder (on all four legs), and reach four to six feet long. Males are larger than females, weighing up to 250 pounds in the wild. Females rarely reach 220 pounds

A wild giant panda’s diet is almost exclusively (99%) bamboo. The balance consists of other grasses and occasional small rodents or musk deer fawns. In zoos, giant pandas eat bamboo, sugar cane, rice gruel, a special high-fiber biscuit, carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes.Adult giant pandas are generally solitary, but they do communicate periodically through scent marks, calls, and occasional meetings. Offspring stay with their mothers from one and a half to three years.

Vaquita

It is found in the region of Gulf of California. It is one of the rarest species of cetaceans in the world itself.The remaining number of Vaquita is just about 200 to 300. It is endangered due to both its limited range and the ease with which it gets caught in the fishing nets.The vaquita is one of the world's most rare marine mammals. It was first described in 1958. Due to its elusive nature, little is known about it. Vaquita are similar to harbor porpoises with respect to life span, patterns of growth, age at sexual maturity, seasonal reproduction, and mating season. In contrast to the harbor porpoise, the calving interval for adult female vaquita may be greater than one year. This has important implications for the potential growth rate of the population and therefore its ability to compensate for human-related sources of mortality and recover from low population levels.


Thursday, December 3, 2009

Mekong Giant Catfish

It is found in the Mekong region of Southeast Asia.The number of this rare is species just about hundreds. It is in the verge of extinction due to fishing in the South eastern region.The largest ever caught Mekong catfish was 293 k.g. The Government of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. But still fishing is going on for it in some regions.The Giant Mekong catfish is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world. It can be found in the Mekong River Delta, in Laos and Cambodia. The species could earlier be found in Thailand but is believed to have been driven into extinction in those waters. It is dangerously close to meeting the same destiny in Laos and Cambodia where their numbers have sunken dramatically and especially large mature specimens are today very rare.

Giant Mekong Catfish has one of the fastest growth rates of any fish and can reach a weight of 200kg/ 440 lb in 5 years and can grow to a length of up to 3m / 10ft and can weigh upwards to 350kg / 770 lbs which makes it on of the heaviest freshwater fish in the world. No one knows for sure which freshwater species grows to be the largest although many speculate that it might be giant freshwater rays that are found in the same waters as the Giant Mekong Catfish and are know to grow over 4 m / 13 ft long. Large Giant Mekong catfish are however as earlier mentioned a rare site these days. Giant Mekong catfish are unlike many other large catfish vegetarians in the wild feeding on the vegetation that can be found in the rivers they live in. Another feature that separates them from many other large catfish is the fact that Giant Mekong Catfish lacks teeth.