WEEK TEN: Animals Traces, Toxins Found in Traditional Chinese Medicines

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Animal+traces+toxins+found+traditional+Chinese+medicines/6452504/story.html

DNA tests were performed on 15 different traditional Chinese medicines, and traces of several endangered animals were found within, including the Asiatic Black Bear and Saiga antelope. These are some of the most popular treatments in China, despite a lack of scientific proof that they are more effective than other medicines and the fact that they could be potentially dangerous. This does not make any logical sense. These endangered species should be removed from the medicines, especially since the effectiveness is non-conclusive and even harmful.

WEEK NINE: Endangered Porpoises Die, Raising Extinction Concern

http://www.china.org.cn/environment/2012-04/19/content_25182904.htm

Since March, sixteen Yangtze cowfish have been confirmed dead by starvation between the two lakes connected by the Yangtze river, their only habitat. In 2006, there were about 1200 of these porpoises left. This year, there are less than 470. The Yangtze river's water levels have decreased dramatically due to weather, so these creatures are left stranded in the shallow parts of the river, unable to get back to the lakes and to food. Other causes for starvation include over-fishing and water pollution. Special precautions need to be implemented to rescue these porpoises, such as water highways between lakes, the same way they do for salmon swimming upstream, as well as laws to reduce fishing and pollution.





Side Note: This posting is one day late due to the unfortunate circumstance of pressing "Save draft" instead of "Publish". The author regretfully apologizes for this inconvenient delay and will give a cookie to all who were forced to look elsewhere for information regarding endangered species.

WEEK EIGHT: Wolves No Longer Endangered, Now Labeled 'Predators'

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/04/10644643-wolves-no-longer-endangered-in-wyoming-now-labeled-predators?lite

Two weeks ago, grey wolves were taken off the endangered list. In Wyoming, they have been given a new label - predator. This means that anyone can shoot a wolf on sight, no permit required, with the exception of national parks. The excuse for allowing this is that wolves "kill just to kill", and therefore apparently don't need protecting, even though they have been considered endangered for far longer than most species on the list. It's fantastic that they have finally made it off. Will decades of work to save this species be ruined by the government's lack of foresight? Will grey wolves be once again considered endangered in Wyoming?

 

WEEK SEVEN: Guizhou Golden Monkey's Population Doubled In Last Three Decades

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-04/02/c_131504147.htm

Over 1.6 million dollars US has been spent on the Guizhou Golden Monkeys in the past 10 years to improve and protect the forests they live in. In the 1980's, there were only about 300 of these magnificent creatures, and because of environmentalist efforts, there are around 800 living today. These monkeys have only one habitat, Fanjing Mountain in Tongren City, Guizhou, which is enclosed in what is now Fanjing Mountain National Nature Reserve.The golden monkeys live between 1000 - 1800 meters up the mountain in the subtropical broad-leaved mixed forest. It's amazing what can be accomplished when people actually decide that they do not want to see these creatures go extinct, and I believe we can continue to rescue more endangered animals from that fate if we stay dedicated.


  

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.