Cameras for Conservation (and finding the Arakan forest turtle) To date, the population stands at almost 80 individuals.” For your dose of cute duckling photos, click here. Wonderful news, but the real achievement is the successful captive breeding program: “Since the commencement of the breeding program in 2009, the world’s population of the Madagascar pochard has increased nearly four-fold with the successful rearing of 38 ducklings. Last seen in 1991, a single flock of 22 birds was rediscovered in 2006. Incidentally, a great way of knowing when you’re on to something good, is when ‘independent’ lobyists for a petrolium company set up a website with ‘facts’ proclaiming what a terrible idea it is. OK, we’re still some way from achieving that, but take a look at the incredible divestment campaign sweeping around the world (more on that, here). Divestment from Fossil FuelsĪnother reason to be optimistic, is the growing vibe that we might be able to avert (at least partially) the prospect of climate change. Will they remove the ban in a year’s time? That will be the test. Is ivory one of the most important issues in conservation, I’m not sure about that either… but it is the thin end of the wedge. Does it make much of a difference, I’m not sure. China Imposes One year Ban On Ivoryīig news, simply for the fact that it shows the pressure that environmental campaigning can eventually have. It’s still not a lot, and they are still incredibly vulnerable, but crikey it’s good news! More info here. ![]() Well, that may have just become a little bit less likely, with the news that the population has grown from around 30, to at least 57 animals. The Amur Leopard Stages a Comeback!įor as long as I can remember, I’ve used the Amur Leopard as a classic example of an incredibly rare species that despite our best efforts may soon become extinct. Here’s a few of the things that convince me that we’re making real and tangible progress. I’m fairly confident it will be the latter.Įvery now and then, I think it’s worth patting fellow conservationists on the back for some of their hard earned successes. In our lifetimes, on historical trends, we’re either going to see wild spaces disappear forever, or we will witness a huge turning point in which the pattern reverses. ![]() ![]() Whilst global biodiversity is still declining, the rate of loss is slowing, and that is hugely important. ![]() I don’t want to spend my life sharing depressing statistics and fighting a losing battle for conservation.įortunately, I don’t think I’ll have to. Conservation efforts work, though, so we should be able to ensure that many species continue to survive, rather than relying on them being brought back from the dead.If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you’ll know that I’m a stubborn optimist. As the fictional Dr Alan Grant of Jurassic Park said: “Life finds a way.” But, in reality, Lazarus species are extremely rare, and sadly we are certain that many more species have indeed gone extinct in the last 100 years. So, are these Lazarus species cause for hope? To a degree, yes. The bat was rediscovered in 2001 but some of their habitat, on Cebu and Negros islands, remains unprotected so they are still threatened. It is thought that the species declined partly through hunting it for its meat but mainly because sugar cane plantations replaced the forests where the bats had foraged for fruit. However, the species was declared extinct in 1996 as none had been seen since 1964, despite intensive surveys. This large bat was once so abundant that its huge piles of guano (faeces) were mined and used as fertilizer.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |