There are many types of animals that are critically endangered. Axolotl will be a tadpole all their life even if they become big. They grow in a very unique way, because they retain their larval features for the rest of their lives. Unlike the tadpoles that become frogs as they grow up, the axolotl, though it is amphibious, stays in the water as it grows and remains a tadpole for the rest of its life. The Axolotl is an endangered species that can only be found in Xochimilco Lake, near Mexico City. They have exposed gills stretching behind their heads where they breathe.

Endangered

The Axolotl is unfortunately on the brink of extinction. The axolotl is a top predator in the lake. However, due to the introduction of other predators in this area, competition is threatening the axolotl. This is why it is considered an endangered species. The axolotl is also exported as pets. Many people think that axolotl is a very cool pet to have. They capture and export this animal, which is also another reason why this animal is considered an endangered species.

Protective measures

The Mexican Wildlife Service has been making actions to protect and preserve the axolotl. They work with international endangered species organizations to bring an increase in the numbers of this animal. There have been many progresses with the actions being done by the Mexican Wildlife Service. They are educating people in the area about the threats that poaching and habitat destruction have on these animals.

Human Acts

Humans made the Xochimilco Lake very dirty. Sewages and dirty water from different towns are being dumped into this lake. Human beings are destroying the natural habitat of the axolotl. This is one of the main reasons for the endangerment of this species. The axolotl is an endangered species also because people put different fishes in the lake. This introduction of new species in the lake disrupts the balance of the ecosystem. Predation and competition from the introduced species causes the endangerment of the axolotl. Fortunately, axolotl are now protected. People are not allowed to catch them for export or for pets anymore.

Aztec Legend

The axolotl is an Aztec legend. Some people calls it the “water monster” while other people calls it the “Mexican Walking Fish.” Despite of the urbanization of the towns in Mexico, axolotl has fortunately survived. However, it is now an endangered species. Scientist is now acting to save the axolotl from extinction. They predict that this animal may be completely extinct in about 5 years. If the axolotl is extinct Mexico will not just lose their biodiversity but also a part of their culture.

Furthermore, it’s extreme cruelty to animals to remove part of their body for profit, leaving them to die on the wayside. Ivory is still a premium item on the black market. There are reported incidents of black market elephants ivory being sold for astronomical prices. Businessmen and traders are intent on turning the ban around in order to cash in on the high pricing.  Many are also speculating that the price of elephant ivory will sky rocket now that there is an ongoing debate on the international ivory ban. The bottom line is still profiteering at the expense of these endangered animals.

There have been several cases of elephant ivory tusks being confiscated en route to Asia, including one case of a North Korean diplomat attempting to smuggle out 33 ivory tusks from Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe appears to be the most lax in enforcing the ban. One case reported of an ivory shipment as a finished product to Japan worth US $90,000. This could have led to other nations wanting their share of the profits by getting the ban lifted.

Zimbabwe along with Namibia and Botswana want the ban to be partial to allow them to export tusks or live elephants as a form of revenue for the government. However, using a country’s economic woes as the reason for lifting the ban is potentially a blackmail tactic that should not be considered. There are other ways of helping a country develop without harming animals. In the first place, ivory trade does not benefit a nation, just a few traders who will earn millions that they probably have no intention of sharing with the rest of their countrymen.

Conservationists argue that lifting the ban will just make all work on increasing elephant population null and void. As it is, there are some special permits being issued by African governments on ivory sport-hunting as trophies.

Obviously, the ban isn’t working 100%, but there is still some measure of control and the elephant population is growing, however slow. Lifting the ban will remove all controls and it will be a free trade market once again. No doubt, elephants will again be sitting ducks to more destructive and cruel methods of removing the tusks.

Male birds can be identified by its white and deep green feathered body with a pointy beak.  It’s not a large bird by any means at 9cm. A female Sunbird would have some yellow and grey tones. As mentioned, the reason why birds become endangered is because of habitat loss. To put things into perspective, one less tree in the world means one less home for birds who house their nests on tree branches. This is why it’s so important that more trees get planted and to perform less clearance. Some of the Amani Sunbird’s favorite places to visit are on trees.

The Amani Sunbird feeds on caterpillars, spiders, and different flying insects. As opposed to certain birds, they may prefer to fly both in groups or by themselves.  Breeding season is normally from May-June and September-December and the female birds would build nests on trees to perform this. You may now realize the importance of trees in conserving the life of birds as it would be hard to reproduce without enough habitat for them to do so, causing them to be endangered.  Therefore, it’s important to realize where these birds live and share a part of our land with them so they can contribute their part of the life cycle.

Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.

There are about less than 200 known species of poison frogs today so you can imagine how much of an impact the environment is having on these amphibians. In their adult state, they reach a size of only 2-5cm in length and weigh only a few grams. So while they can be very dangerous, their size would also make them seem vulnerable, especially when it comes to effects of pollution and climate change. Their size would be a good reason why they are near extinction.

Rescuing these dart frogs is important because they control the population of various pests. As you can imagine with the life cycle, if not enough of them are available to take on this task, we would have problems of overpopulation or under population. This is likely a problem that spawns with species being extinct so while we should make an effort to protect Poison Dart Frogs, animals in the rainforest that remain crucially endangered should also be protected!