WEEK SIX: DNR Board OKs Removing 16 From Endangered List, Adding 8

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/environment/dnr-board-oks-removing-from-endangered-species-list-adding/article_f0fa56be-78e9-11e1-b66d-001871e3ce6c.html

The DNR Board approved of a new listing of sixteen species to remove, as well as submit a list of eight new species to add to the list. This proposal for added species was opposed by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, who stated that the final decision would be delayed because outside experts were not consulted and no plants were added to the list. The DNR responded that these occurred in order to keep cost down, since every species on the list costs money to preserve or recreate habitats and monitor populations. The removal of species from the list will remove funding for that species. Outside experts should be consulted, despite funding issues, because some species may be more endangered than originally thought and may go extinct without funding and attention.


   
Some species to be removed from the endangered list: Barn Owl, Gray Wolf, Snowy Egret, Blanding's Turtle 


     
Some species to be added to the endangered list: Kirtland's Warbler, Ottoe Skipper, Upland Sandpiper, Western Lowland Gorilla

WEEK FIVE: World's Smallest Dolphins Facing "Imminent" Extinction

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2118304/Worlds-smallest-dolphin-threat-nets-species-reduced-just-55-survivors.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Maui's dolphins are classified as critically endangered, as there are only 55 left in the world. They only inhabit the west coast of New Zealand. The main cause of these creatures' dwindling population are the many fishing nets along the coast, which catch many of these dolphins and kill them. Researchers have determined that if fishing is not banned in these areas, these dolphins will go extinct in as little as a year. These dolphins have a lifespan of about 20 years, but only reach reproductive maturity after 7 years, and only calve about once every 3 years. There may be as few as 20 breeding females left. If things do not change, they may follow the Baiji Dolphin, once prevalent in the waters of China, in extinction.


These beautifully patterned dolphins only grow to about 1.7 meters long.

WEEK FOUR: Underwater Nursery Tends Endangered Corals

http://www.livescience.com/18895-coral-nursery-restores-endangered-reefs.html

The adult staghorn coral is now considered endangered because of tankers that run aground where it grows off Puerto Rico, coral bleaching, and disease. Recently divers have undertaken a new project to save the staghorn coral population, which has declined by 98 percent since 2006. Underwater coral nurseries are being set up in strategic places, where the coral is suspended in the open water, tethered to rubber-coated wires, out of the  reach of predatory snails and fireworms. 100 nursery-raised corals have survived in this area to date, and the number is growing significantly. It is truly remarkable to see people striving to make a difference, instead of just continuing their comfortable life at home.

WEEK THREE: Killing A Species To Save Another??

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/newshound/2012/02/plan-shoot-barred-owls-protect-endangered-spotted-owls

The Spotted Owl was first considered endangered in 1990. Since then, the Spotted Owl population has dropped 40 percent because of habitat loss and Barred Owls. Barred Owls live in the same areas as Spotted Owls, but are larger and are better hunters. They make survival next to impossible for their smaller cousins.
Because of this, the Obama Administration passed a new law that allows government workers to shoot Barred Owls so that Spotted Owls can thrive, as well as allowing logging to happen if it is home to a Barred Owl. Is this really necessary? Why should Spotted Owls be given the right to live, but Barred Owls have that right snatched away? Shouldn't all species be protected?

WEEK TWO: Ontario Snapping Turtle Endangered Yet Hunted

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1133454--ontario-snapping-turtle-endangered-yet-hunted

How is it that Ontario Snapping Turtles are on the list of endangered species, yet it is still legal to hunt them? These turtles have lived in Ontario wetlands for thousands of years, but their numbers are steadily decreasing thanks to turtle poaching, nest predation, habitat destruction, pollution, cold temperatures, traffic, etc.
There needs to be laws set in place to save these turtles. They do a lot for the ecosystem, such as creating channels in lake bottoms where small animals and fish make their homes, and they clean up the environment by eating dead fish and weeds. They may not be cute and cuddly, but they need our help.

WEEK ONE: Can a panda-cam save endangered species?

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/environment/la-me-gs-panda-cam-save-endangered-species-20120203,0,3313183.story

What is the best way to get people passionate about issues? Create an emotional connection to pull on their heartstrings. A philanthropist named Charlie Weingarten launched a new webcam initiative on his endangered animals website, calling it the "panda-cam", with the intent to connect the brisk urban world to the quiet, gentle world of the pandas and ignite a movement to rebuild their decaying or destroyed habitat. There are only about 1,300 pandas left in the world today. A large panda preserve was hit with a massive 8.0 earthquake, and killed numerous Giant Pandas. Because the creatures' habitats are destroyed, numbers of them are forced to live within a small area, and therefore more are in danger to local attacks. Is it within reach that these nature cams can create enough sparks to ignite a worldwide passion to rebuild habitats and save these gentle giants?