Wednesday, June 29, 2011

ANIMALS IN DANGER

Perhaps the most famous rare animals is the panda. Twenty years ago it was nearly extinct. Now, its numbers are growing again. It's even become a symbol for wildlife conservation. But many other species have been less lucky than the panda. Sonic are already extinct. Today, many more are in serious danger. This is because man hunts them destroys and pollutes their habitat.

 

The Main problem Habitat

There is a serious habitat problem because :
  • After pollution or destruction, habitats take many years (sometimes hundreds or even thousands) to grow again.
  • Pollution and destruction change the balance of nature. Each species in a habitat (for example, wood, jungle, marsh or forest) needs and helps the rest. If one animal, bird or insect disappears, all the others suffer, too.
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This is what's happening in the rainforests of South America, Africa and Asia. These are some of the world's oldest habitats. Or they were. Man is destroying an area of rainforest as big as Switzerland every year. But the problem doesn't stop there. Habitats and animals are disappearing in Europe, too. Since 1947 in Britain, for example...
  • 50% oft he woods have disappeared.
  • 50% of the marshes have disappeared.
  • 95% of the meadows have disappeared. 

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And what has taken the place of these green, natural places? Houses farms, cities, streets, roads and factories. Because of this (and pollution, too) several British species are dying. In fact scientists believe that 30 British animals, fish and birds may become extinct by the year 2000.The solution :
  • protecting animals in danger by law
  • opening more national parks
  • building fewer new roads
  • planting more new forests
  • cutting pollution

The Hunting Problem

Man has always been a hunter. He still is. But many modern hunters don't just kill for food - they kill for profit. That's why so many rare and protected animals are still dying. Hunters like these are called poachers. In 1981 there were 15,000 black rhinos in Africa. Today, because of illegal hunting, that number is 4,500. In the 1970s there were 1.3 million African elephants. Today, because of poaching, there are under 85,000.In the I940s, 90% of skins and furs came from wild animals. Today that number is 15%. That's because most modern skins come from fur farms.
Fur Farm Facts:
  • There are more than 2,000 in Scandinavia and 340 in Russia.
  • They don't keep rare or protected animals.
  • Fur farmers kill and sell over 34 million mink every year.
  • Animals in fur farms live in good conditions and die without pain (the farmers give them an injection).
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But what about the other 15% of furs? Well -these still come from wild animals. Hunters catch most oh them in traps. These are made of metal and are very sharp. Most animals caught in traps die very slowly. The USA traps over 20 million animals every year. The most popular furs are... mink, sable, fox, squirrel and lynx. These rare animals are all in danger because hunters kill them for their fur... snow leopard, jaguar, ocelot, indian tiger cat, lynx.
The solution : The fur trade argument.
  • Stop the fur trade.
  • It's wrong to keep wild animals in cages.
  • It's wrong to kill animals for fashion and profit.
  • It's wrong to kill wild animals in traps.
  • It's wrong to sell the fur of rare, protected species.
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ANIMAL RIGHTS

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Every year in the UK well over two million animals are subjected to experiments "likely to cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm." (As the Government describes them).
An estimated 9 million animals gassed or decapitated annually because they are deemed 'surplus to requirements' by the vivisection industry. These figures describe the horrific scale of suffering and death in British laboratories.
The situation worldwide is almost too appalling to contemplate, But what the cold statistics hide is the fact that each one of those 11.6 million animals was a warm, living, feeling individual.
These animals have been deprived of the chance to live their lives in the way they were meant to: in family and social groups, tending to their young, and fulfilling their basic needs. They can never understand why they are being made to suffer.
They do not deserve to be locked in cages, and have their whole lives twisted and stolen by vivisectors. Every experiment they are subjected to is a crime against these animals. We must never, ever forget that animal experimentation means the suffering and destruction of sensitive, individual creatures. Once a life is taken, there is no way to make amends.
Liberation is dedicated to protecting these animals. Our intensive efforts are educating the public about the reality of vivisection. Our pressure on companies and governments is forcing them to take notice of the respect that animals are due, and respond to the public's growing demand for an end to the abuse of animals. We are now starting to make historic progress on behalf of animals in laboratories. But we are faced with an immense uphill struggle. The barbaric tradition of vivisection is deeply ingrained in many areas of 'science'.
To make matters worse, the new technology of genetic engineering threatens to inflict more pain and death of animals. What the future holds for animals, ultimately depends on us. For the sake of every animal, we want to build on the progress that has been achieved, and prevent new forms of suffering and exploitation from being established. But we can only continue with your support. Although, as a single individual, you may feel you can't make a difference, it really isn't true. Anything that you can do to increase our prospects of success will help bring closer the day when animals are saved from vivisection.


On December 10th, 1948, the United Nations ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Declaration established once and for all the principle that all human beings - however poor or powerless, whatever their colour, or gender or beliefs - have rights that no-one, no matter how powerful, may ever abuse or take away. Rights to live, to be free, to be protected from torture and to live their lives free of exploitation.
The UDHR symbolised the triumph of compassion and justice over the prejudices of the past, and even though we still have a long way to go before our world lives up to those ideals, holding those ideals makes us a better and more civilised human race.
But why should rights stop with human beings? There is a long and growing tradition that argues that animals have rights too. Is this an idea whose time has come?
Once upon a time, people thought that human rights, racial equality and democracy were crazy ideas. Could it be that the people of the future will one day look on the slaughterhouse and animal laboratory as we now look on the slave ship, the torture chamber and apartheid?
If we take a serious and intelligent look at this question, maybe we can see why there is a growing recognition that all animals deserve respect and the right to life and liberty, whatever their species.
The human race has, in fact, long recognised that it is wrong to treat animals as things. They experience pleasure and pain, happiness and suffering, in just the same way as we do. Science has taught us that we are, of course, animals ourselves, with our nearest relatives, the chimpanzee, sharing 99% of our genes.
People used to think that animals were just like machines, and that human beings could use them however they chose, but as we have become civilised we have come to understand that cruelty to animals is wrong. Now, some of us are saying, that if we recognise that cruelty is wrong, then animals should have the right to be protected from cruelty. If people have a right not to suffer, why not other animals?
Of course there are many differences between human beings and other animals, but that doesn't mean that animals can't have rights, there are differences between people too. Just because one person is less intelligent than another doesn't mean that their pain hurts less, or their life is worth less. Just because a baby or perhaps a person suffering from a mental handicap cannot tell the difference between right and wrong, does not mean that they can have no rights.
In fact, we recognise that we have a duty to protect and nurture those who cannot take a full part in our society - those who are weaker than ourselves. If we apply the opposite rule to animals - that because they are weak, or lack intelligence, we can use them however we choose - are we not guilty of hypocrisy and discrimination?
It is time to stop looking at our differences - which is the way of the racist, the sexist and the bigot - and start looking at our similarities. We know that animals, like us, suffer fear and pain, but they are still experimented upon in our laboratories.


We know that they form bonds of affection and perhaps even love with their families, just as we do, but calves are still taken from their mothers within days of their births.
We know that animals, like us, flourish in freedom, but still they are imprisoned in zoos, circuses, laboratories and on our factory farms.
Finally, we know that they, like us, will protect and preserve their own lives if they can, but they are still slaughtered in their billions for food which is unhealthy, unnecessary and environmentally destructive.
In 1799, people thought those who wanted to abolish slavery were crazy. In 1899, people thought the suffragettes were crazy. Now, in 1999, people are starting to realise that the idea of honouring the rights of animals isn't crazy, foolish or sentimental, but is just the next step along the journey to make our world a fairer, more compassionate and more civilised place.
We don't believe that rights belong to the few any more, we don't believe that the powerful may use the weak how they choose any more.
Even now in the new millennium, animals are abused and exploited in ways that could not even have been imagined a century ago; cloned, genetically engineered, factory farmed, poisoned in laboratories with chemicals nobody needs, and even, used as spare part factories for transplants.
More and more of us now believe that the future belongs to compassion and justice. We believe that one day the world will recognise fully the rights of animals just as it has recognised the rights of humans. We are campaigning for the future.
The animal and human rights movements have grown considerably over the last few years. Many of us now seek a more fulfilling set of ethics, with the number of those who now live a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle growing to such an extent that the food industry sees us as major consumers.
The powers that be try to hide and lie about the atrocities most accept as everyday life. We must now work together to expose the dangers threatening the existence of our planet and all who reside on it.
The time has come for those of us who really care to stand tall and scream for change.
Some of the subject matter Liberation covers is both graphic in both words and pictures, for this we do not apologise! We believe that's the only way to expose the truth.
By attempting to abuse our democratic rights they have declared war, and war requires militancy.
Stay militant!

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ANIMAL CRUELTY

Animal Cruelty is quite a sensitive topic. The topic was not given that importance before, but now days many stern steps have been taken so as to lower down the intensity of animal cruelty. Animal cruelty is defined as “Any activity which harm animals either directly or indirectly”. But harm done to animals in order to protect your own life is not considered as Animal Cruelty unless it is done in humane way which will minimize the pain to animal. Harming or killing animals for am economic gain is included under animal cruelty and is considered as a serious crime.
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Psychological studies have shown that people who inflict harm to animals just for pleasure are more likely to do so to humans too. In circuses many animals are treated very badly. No animal wants or likes to ride cycle, stand upright on their head, jump through fire rings or balance on balls etc. But animals in circuses have no choice other than doing so. Else they are tortured by the trainer. Trainers use hunter, whips or even electric pods to torture them in order to train the animals. This is a serious type of Animal Cruelty.

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Central government has banned dancing bears. Bears are being protected under wildlife protection act 1972. Dancing bears are also very cruelly tortured by Qualandars or madaris to teach them dance. The physical injuries are also done to them. Animals used in film making or cinematography are often treated badly. With no food given to eat they are exploited horribly for work. In action scenes, animals are treated horribly, they often met with serious injuries which are also not treated. Many times animals die in these action scenes. Although there are laws to protect usage of animals in film making, but they are hardly enforced and followed by film makers.

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Birds are kept in cages. Not only this, the cages are small, not well ventilated, and horribly unhygienic conditions. There are races and fights which are arranged for the entertainment of people. Example of this is cockfight, elephants fight, bull’s race etc. In cock fight the roosters are given alcohol to make them feisty. These cock fights are banned under the “prevention of cruelty to animals act 1960”. But then also many roosters are forced to fight till their death in almost all parts of the country. The winners of one fight are again forced to fight in the next round. This is a serious type Animal Cruelty where animals are forced to their death in a very inhumane manner.

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Zoos are built to help animals and to give information to common people about the behavior of these animals. It is shocking to know that in zoos also animals are tortured very badly. These animals are often kept in small cages. These cages are hardly been cleaned. They are full of animal excreta. There are very less medical facilities available in the zoos.
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We have to take strict steps towards stopping Animal Cruelty. What we can do is make a commitment not to encourage any sort of Animal Cruelty. Also, immediately launch a complaint against a person who is doing so to the nearest police station. Our sincere efforts are very much needed to stop this.

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ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

What is Animal Behaviour ?

Animal behavior is the scientific study of everything animals do, whether the animals are single-celled organisms, insects, birds, mammals, fish, or humans. However, human behavior is more often studied by psychologists, anthropologists, human ethologists, or other social scientists.

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The field of animal behavior is concerned with understanding the causes, functions, development, and evolution of behavior. The causes of behavior include all of the stimuli that affect behavior, whether external (food or predators) or internal (hormones or nervous system changes). The function of behavior include both the immediate effects of behavior on an animal (such as attracting a mate), and the adaptive significance of the behavior in a particular environment (such as huddling together in cold weather). The development of behavior is concerned with the ways in which behavior changes over the lifetime of an animal. The evolution of behavior is concerned with origins of behavior patterns and how these change over generations of animals.

What Education / Training is needed ?

College Teaching and Research: Most animal behaviorists teach and/or do research at colleges and universities. Many have academic appointments in biology, zoology, or psychology departments. A smaller number are found in departments of anthropology, sociology, entomology, animal and poultry science, wildlife biology, ecology, or in medical or veterinary colleges. Careers in college teaching and research usually require the Ph.D. degree; a very few junior colleges require only a master's degree. Most animal behavior jobs exist within larger academic departments such as zoology or psychology, and animal behaviorists usually teach in related disciplines such as physiology, ecology, and herpetology. Students who obtain the Ph.D. degree in programs offering broad training in one or more of the behavioral or biological sciences will be more competitive in the job market. Although animal behavior is a growing discipline, competition for jobs in teaching and research is very keen, and job opportunities in colleges and universities are not expected to expand greatly in the foreseeable future.

Government and Private Research Institutions: Very few animal behaviorists work in government laboratories or in private business and industry; most of these jobs will involve research in health-related areas. For example, drug companies or government laboratories may hire animal behaviorists to conduct research on the behavioral effects of new drugs or chemicals. Other laboratories may hire behaviorists to examine the links between behavior and disease states. such as heart disease. For such jobs, breadth of training will be essential. Training in the biological sciences relevant to health, such as physiology, biochemistry, or pharmacology, will be particularly helpful.

Zoo, Conservation Groups, Museums: Zoos and museums occasionally hire animal behaviorists as curators or researchers. Curators are responsible for acquiring, maintaining, and displaying collections of particular animals or specimens. Researchers are responsible for the scientific study of the animals or specimens. Curators and researchers usually have Ph.D. or D.V.M. degrees and also have broad training in other disciplines of biology such as animal husbandry, systematics, ornithology, or anatomy.

Applied Animal Behavior: A small but growing number of animal behaviorists are being hired to apply behavioral knowledge to the production, management, conservation, and/or care of wild and domestic animals. Most are researchers in colleges, universities, or government research facilities. Many are employed by academic departments such as animal science, wildlife, or entomology, for research aimed at areas such as improving livestock production, managing wildlife populations or controlling pests. Most of these researchers have a Ph.D. in animal behavior or in some allied field of biology with advanced training in animal behavior. Other applied animal behaviorists are concerned with treating the behavioral problems of pets or other domestic animals. These individuals usually work in schools of veterinary medicine within colleges or universities, in veterinary hospitals, or for private consulting firms. Some have a Ph.D. from an animal behavior program specializing in such training, while others have a D.V.M. with additional training in behavior.

Research Assistants: Paid research assistants often are hired by universities, zoos, museums, and government, and private facilities to help conduct ongoing animal behavior research. Here they work under the direction of faculty or staff researchers and help to design, perform and analyze the results of animal behavior studies. Research assistants may work in laboratories or in the field, depending upon the nature of the research project. These jobs may be full-time or part-time. Full-time research assistants usually have either a B.S. or M.S. degree. The usual requirements for a B.S. assistant is a major in the biological or behavioral sciences with some course work in animal behavior. Part-time assistants need not have a bachelor's degree, but usually they have had some course work in behavior. Often, part-time assistants are students working toward a college degree. As was true for college teaching and research, competition for research assistant jobs is keen. Breadth of training in allied fields (such as ecology, physiology, psychology, or chemistry) and/or possession of particular practical skills (such as statistical analysis, computer programming, or electronics) can be helpful).

Zoo or Museum Assistants: Some zoos and museums hire research assistants or educators. Education requirements and job related duties are similar to those discussed in the previous section. Educators help to prepare educational displays, lead tours, and/or give lectures to tour groups. Educators may have a B.S. or M.S. degree in the biological or behavioral sciences. Usually some specialized training or experience in secondary or adult education is also preferred.

Animal Trainers: Some behaviorists train animals for public performance for zoos, circuses, stage, or television; others train pets as in obedience training, guard dog training, seeing-eye dogs, or retrieving. Currently, in most states and provinces, animal trainers are not required to have any specialized training in animal behavior. However, many have been through a certification training program or have apprenticed to another professional animal trainer.

Veterinary Technicians: Veterinary Technicians work in all facets of veterinary medicine, industry, research, zoos, aquariums, laboratories and veterinary schools.These positions require at least a two year associates degree from an accredited institution. Some universities offer four year programs.

Other Jobs Working with Animals: Many other jobs that involve working with animals also involve some knowledge of animal behavior. These include employment as animal caretakers at zoos, universities, and research institutions, as pet store workers, and as animal control officers. Some of these require specialized to advanced training; others do not.

EXTINCT MAMMALS

Animals with milk-producing mammary glands are called as mammals.


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Mammals
Speciation and extinction are important aspects of Ecology. Speciation is a scientific term for evolution of biological species and extinction stands for end of biological species. In simple words death of last animal of specific specie is called as Extinction of the specie. It is an ongoing process.

Mammals which have bin extinct are called as “Extinct Mammals” Naturally also many Mammals have become extinct. If a specie can not sustain the changes which are happening in the environment in which he is living and are not able to reproduce in that environment, then slowly the specie becomes extinct. In the same way Dinosaurs got extinct. But in the last millennium many mammals have rapidly became extinct because of human activities. Hunting and destroying their natural habitat are the main causes of Extinct Mammals. Many species of mammals are on the verge of extinction. Earlier man was used to hunt the animals mainly for food and rarely to protect himself from them. But now days animals are being killed for economic gains. This is disturbing natural food cycle in nature.

The first specie which got extinct because of human activities was Dodo. Dodo was flightless bird. It’s specie was closed to duck. It was used to be about 1 meter in height. The dodo lived on Mauritius islands and from late 17th century the dodo has extinct. The dodo was extincted because of excessive hunting. The incident is so famous that an English phrase arouse from it, “to go dodo’s way” which means to become extinct.

Some examples of Extinct mammals are Tasmanian wolf, Cave bear, Irish deer, Caspian tiger, Bali tiger, Golden toad etc. Some times extinction from a specific geographical area is also possible. For example cheetah has been declared as extinct in India. It was purely because of hunting that this specie which was totally evolved as per the requirements of the environment got extinct. The government has planned for reintroduction of cheetah in India. In India more than 250 species have been declared as endangered species.This is a very serious problem around the world these days.

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Tasmanian wolf



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Irish deer


Main reasons for extinction:

There are many reasons which directly on indirectly contribute for the Extinct Mammals. Some of the reasons are as follows,

Natural causes eg :-


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Natural climatic change

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Hunting

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Deforestation

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Destroying their natural habitat


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Global warming





Steps that can be taken:
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STOP HUNTING
 

There are many ways in which we can help protecting endangered species from extinction.

Strict application of animal rights


Totally stop the hunting of animals


Not to destroy natural habitat of animals

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Reforestation

The flow of food cycle must be kept in smooth flow. If that does not happen then it will be directly hazardous to human specie. The steps towards not to Extinct animals should be followed. We have only one mother Earth and we have to save it for our generations to come.



















List of Endangered Mammals

  • Asiatic Golden Cat (Felis temmincki)
  • Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica)
  • Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) thought to be Extinct now in India
  • Indian Wild Ass or Khur (Equus hemionus khur)
  • Asiatic Wild Dog Dhole (Cuon alpinus)
  • Asiatic Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus)
  • Banteng (Bos javanicus)
  • Bengal Fox (Vulpes bengalensis)
  • Brow-antlered Deer (Cervus eldi eldi)
  • Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
  • Jerdon's Palm Civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni)
  • Clawless Otter (Amblonyx cinereus)
  • Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
  • Common Otter (Lutralutra) *wild Cat (Felis lybica ornata) Dugong/ Seacow (Dugong dugon)
  • Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
  • Gaur (Bos gaurus)
  • Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei)
  • Goral (Nemorhaedus goral)
  • Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
  • Grey Wolf/ Indian Wolf (Canis lupus)
  • Himalayan W-toothed Shrew (Crocidura attenuate)
  • Himalayan Marten (Martes flavigula)
  • Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster)
  • Sikkim large-clawed Shrew (Soriculus nigrescens)
  • Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus)
  • Hoolock Gibbon (Hylobates hoolock)
  • Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus)
  • Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur)
  • Jackal (Canis aureus)
  • Kashmir Stag/ Hangul (Cervus affinis hanglu)
  • Leopard (Panthera pardus)
  • Lesser Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
  • Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)
  • Malabar Civet (Viverra civettina)
  • Marbled Cat (Felis marmorata)
  • Markhor (Capra falconeri)
  • Nayan (Ovis ammon hodgsoni)
  • Nilgiri Langur (Presbytis johni)
  • Nilgiri Marten (Martes gwatkinsi)
  • Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius)
  • Phayre's Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei)
  • Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius)
  • Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes montana)
  • Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosa)
  • Serow (Nemorhaedus sumatraensis)
  • Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus )
  • Smooth Indian Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)
  • Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)
  • Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides)
  • Swamp Deer/ Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli)
  • Takin (Budorcas taxicolor)
  • Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus hemionus kiang)
  • Tiger (Panthera tigris)

EXTINCT ANIMALS

Extinct and Endangered Animals:

The extinction of species has always been a natural part of evolution. The fossil record shows that since life originated about four billion years ago the vast majority of species that have existed are now extinct. Extinct species outnumber living ones by a factor of perhaps a thousand to one.

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sciencegnus
Scientists have identified five extinction events in Earth's history, with some so severe that more than 90 percent of all life forms were killed off. The last and most famous extinction was the Cretaceous-Tertiary event some 63 million years ago that killed off the dinosaurs and allowed the rise of mammals. It is thought to have been caused by an asteroid hitting Earth.

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Dinosaur
Today we are in the middle of a sixth extinction events that began about 50,000 years ago but is now accelerating in an alarming speed! This extinction event is not a natural event, but is caused directly or indirectly by humans.
Most recent extinctions extinctions have been associated with European expansion in the 15th and 16th century. However, in some parts of the world some species are known to have become extinct before the arrival of the Europeans. For example, the Polynesians who colonised the Hawaiian Island in the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries may have been responsible for the loss of around 50 of the 100 or so species of endemic land birds in the period between their arrival and that of the Europeans.


Pictures Of some Extinct/Endangered Animals
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African Elephant
  The African elephant is the largest living land animal and weighs up to 5,400 kg. It inhabits the Savannah, brush, forest, river valleys, and semi-desert regions of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Besides its greater size, it differs from the asian elephant in having larger ears and tusks, a sloping forehead, and two “fingers” at the tip of its trunk, compared to only one in the Asian species.

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Green Turtle
Female green turtles return to the same beaches regularly and in great numbers to lay their eggs. Throughout history these turtles have been an important source of food to local human populations and sea voyagers. The green turtle was once common in the warm oceans of the world, but has become increasingly scarce in areas where it is commercially exploited. It is still common, however, in Hawaii, but now rarely nests in North America, although feeding areas in Florida still have fairly large populations. The green turtle can also be found around Australia.

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Bald Eagle

This majestic bird is found across all of southern Canada, but is commonest on the Pacific coast. The Bald eagle also ranges in Alaska and the rest of the United States. The adult can be distinguished by its white head and neck which it takes about four years to attain. Adult males have a body length of 75 to 85 cm and a wingspan of 180 to 213 cm. Females are slightly larger.

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Dodo
 Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, was the only home of the dodo, a large,flightless bird that weighed up to 14 kg and was very good to eat. Dodos were an easy-to-catch source of food for sailors and settlers.
Having developed in isolation, the dodo easily fell victim to this new pressure. In addition, forest clearing destroyed the bird’s habitat, and introduced pigs, goats, cats, rats, and monkeys became competitors as well as predators. 


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African Wild Dog
Although similar in appearance to hyenas, African wild dogs are nevertheless true wild canidae. They are a mixture of black, yellow, and white in such a wide variety of patterns that no two individuals look exactly alike. African wild dogs are widely distributed across the African plains but they do not live in jungle areas.
They are social animals, living in packs of usually from 2 to 45 individuals. A hierarchy exists within the pack, but the animals are so friendly to one another that the pecking order is hard to determine. The young and the infirm are given special privileges within the pack.
African wild dogs use their sense of sight, not smell, to find their prey. They pay no attention to wind direction and they do not use cover when approaching their prey. They can run up to 55 km/h for several kilometres. In eastern Africa, they mostly hunt Thomson’s gazelles, but they will also attack calves, warthogs, zebras, impalas, and the young of large antelopes such as the gnu.



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Wild Yak

Throughout history, the domesticated yak of central Asia has provided Tibetan herders with wool, leather, meat, milk, and cheese. It is a beast of burden and its dung is used as fuel and fertilizer. There are many of them. The larger wild yak, however, decimated by hunting, is an endangered species.Once widely distributed in the high valleys and plateaus of Tibet and the adjoining mountain country, the wild yak now survives in scattered, isolated herds in the most remote, inhospitable areas. Although officially protected from hunting and commercial trade, its future may depend on suitable reserves with good pastures and efficient protection. 


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Mountain Gorilla
This largest of the great apes inhabits a number of isolated areas on the forested mountain slopes of eastern Zaire and parts of Uganda and Rwanda. Its population is estimated at approximately 400. Although much of the animal’s range is within national parks and reserves, human's growing needs for farming and grazing lands have reduced these areas. These disruptions may also force other animals, such as elephant and buffalo, into a reduced habitat where they compete with the gorilla for the same foods.
Listed as an endangered species the mountain gorilla has some protection in a ban among most zoos against the acquisition of specimens and in restrictive controls against international trade.  




















RAINFOREST ANIMALS

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The Tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees in a region of year-round warmth. An average of 50 to 260 inches (125 to 660 cm.) of rain falls yearly.There is usually a brief season of less rain. In monsoonal areas, there is a real dry season. Almost all rain forests lie near the equator.The Tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees in a region of year-round warmth. An average of 50 to 260 inches (125 to 660 cm.) of rain falls yearly.There is usually a brief season of less rain. In monsoonal areas, there is a real dry season. Almost all rain forests lie near the equator.

Rain forests belong to the tropical wet climate group. The temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher than 93 °F (34 °C) or drops below 68 °F (20 °C); average humidity is between 77 and 88%; rainfall is often more than 100 inches a year. There is usually a brief season of less rain. In monsoonal areas, there is a real dry season. Almost all rain forests lie near the equator.

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Rainforests now cover less than 6% of Earth's land surface. Scientists estimate that more than half of all the world's plant and animal species live in tropical rain forests. Tropical rainforests produce 40% of Earth's oxygen.
A tropical rain forest has more kinds of trees than any other area in the world. Scientists have counted about 100 to 300 species in one 2 1/2-acre (1-hectare) area in South America. Seventy percent of the plants in the rainforest are trees.A tropical rain forest has more kinds of trees than any other area in the world. Scientists have counted about 100 to 300 species in one 2 1/2-acre (1-hectare) area in South America. Seventy percent of the plants in the rainforest are trees.A tropical rain forest has more kinds of trees than any other area in the world. Scientists have counted about 100 to 300 species in one 2 1/2-acre (1-hectare) area in South America. Seventy percent of the plants in the rainforest are trees.A tropical rain forest has more kinds of trees than any other area in the world. Scientists have counted about 100 to 300 species in one 2 1/2-acre (1-hectare) area in South America. Seventy percent of the plants in the rainforest are trees.


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About 1/4 of all the medicines we use come from rain forest plants. Curare comes from a tropical vine, andis used as an anesthetic and to relax muscles during surgery. Quinine, from the cinchona tree, is used to treatmalaria. A person with lymphocytic leukemia has a 99% chance that the disease will go into remission
because of the rosy periwinkle. More than 1,400 varieties of tropical plants are thought to be potential cures for cancer.
All tropical rain forests resemble one another in some ways. Many of the trees have straight trunks that don't branch out for 100 feet or more. There is no sense in growing branches below the canopy where there is little light. The majority of the trees have smooth, thin bark because there is no need to protect the them from water loss and freezing temperatures. It also makes it difficult for epiphytes and plant parasites to get a hold on the trunks. The bark of different species is so similar that it is difficult to identify a tree by its bark. Many trees can only be identified by their flowers.
The majority of the trees have smooth, thin bark because there is no need to protect the them from water loss and freezing temperatures. It also makes it difficult for epiphytes and plant parasites to get a hold on the trunks. The bark of different species is so similar that it is difficult to identify a tree by its bark. Many trees can only be identified by their flowers.The majority of the trees have smooth, thin bark because there is no need to protect the them from water loss and freezing temperatures. It also makes it difficult for epiphytes and plant parasites to get a hold on the trunks. The bark of different species is so similar that it is difficult to identify a tree by its bark. Many trees can only be identified by their flowers.
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Despite these differences, each of the three largest rainforests--the American, the African, and the Asian--has a different group of animal and plant species. Each rain forest has many species of monkeys, all of which differ from the species of the other two rain forests. In addition, different areas of the same rain forest may have different species. Many kinds of trees that grow in the mountains of the Amazon rain forest do not grow in the lowlands of that same forest.

Many species of animal life can be found in the rain forest. Common characteristics found among mammals and birds (and reptiles and amphibians, too) include adaptations to a life in the trees, such as the prehensile tails of New World monkeys. Other characteristics are bright colors and sharp patterns, loud vocalizations, and diets heavy on fruits.Many species of animal life can be found in the rain forest. Common characteristics found among mammals and birds (and reptiles and amphibians, too) include adaptations to a life in the trees, such as the prehensile tails of New World monkeys. Other characteristics are bright colors and sharp patterns, loud vocalizations, and diets heavy on fruits.Many species of animal life can be found in the rain forest. Common characteristics found among mammals and birds (and reptiles and amphibians, too) include adaptations to a life in the trees, such as the prehensile tails of New World monkeys. Other characteristics are bright colors and sharp patterns, loud vocalizations, and diets heavy on fruits.


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Insects make up the largest single group of animals that live in tropical forests. They include brightly colored butterflies, mosquitoes, camouflaged stick insects, and huge colonies of ants.
The Amazon river basin rainforest contains a wider variety of plant and animal life than any other biome in the world. The second largest population of plant and animal life can be found in scattered locations and islands of Southeast Asia. The lowest variety can be found in Africa. There may be 40 to 100 different species in 2.5 acres ( 1 hectare) of a tropical rain forest.The second largest population of plant and animal life can be found in scattered locations and islands of Southeast Asia. The lowest variety can be found in Africa. There may be 40 to 100 different species in 2.5 acres ( 1 hectare) of a tropical rain forest.
The second largest population of plant and animal life can be found in scattered locations and islands of Southeast Asia. The lowest variety can be found in Africa. There may be 40 to 100 different species in 2.5 acres ( 1 hectare) of a tropical rain forest.


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DESERT ANIMALS

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Living in deserts is really hard! Indeed, with less than 10 inches of rainfall a year, deserts are dry all year round. To make the matter worse, the temperature in some deserts can change drastically from the day to the night. The Sahara Desert of Africa, for example, can easily reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. After sunset, however, the temperature can drop to be less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit! As inhospitable as deserts appear to be, many animals have found their homes there. How do they do it? Well, here are some amazing stories -


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Nicknamed "ships of the desert", camels are the most recognizable desert animals. Camels always overeat and stock extra food as fat in their humps. When there is no water, camels start shedding pounds. While most animals die if they lose 20% of their body weight, camels can function even if they lose 25% of their body weight.

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Addaxes belong to the family of antelopes. Their survival tip is not to drink water! How can they live without drinking water? Well, addaxes get enough moisture from just licking dew and eating plants. When the temperature gets too hot, they rest in shade. Addaxes can only be found in the Sahara Desert and they face the danger of extinction.

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Living in the desert areas of the United States and Mexico, roadrunners reduce their activities by 50% as the temperature is at its hottest. If the weather gets too cold at night, roadrunners enter a temporary hibernation, called torpid. They sleep through the night without moving to conserve energy. When they wake up in the morning, they bask in the sun to warm up.

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Black-tailed jackrabbits have a pair of long ears, close to 6 inches. Like most rabbits and hares, black-tailed jackrabbits rely on their keen hearing to detect danger. Unlike most rabbits and hares, black-tailed jackrabbits also use their bigger-than-normal ears to get rid of excess heat.

No doubt, deserts are not for every animal. Without access to water, we cannot last long there. Nevertheless, a handful of animals have managed to prove themselves great survivors!