Hilltop Haven Animal Rescue

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Endangered Animals That Need Our Rescue

Posts Tagged ‘list of endangered animals’

Axolotl

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

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.

Posted by admin, in Amphibians Comments Off

Amani Sunbird

Friday, May 13th, 2011

As a child you may have experience the change in seasons from winter to spring and you start to hear the birds chirp. Unfortunately, as cities expand and take away habitats of nature’s most adorable animals, the Amani Sunbird, among many other species of endangered birds, is no longer part of the birds that chirp away near your house. The reality is that birds become endangered because of habitat loss. The Amani Sunbird, who finds its home usually in central eastern Africa, is part of an ever-growing list of endangered animals.

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.

Posted by admin, in Birds Comments Off