In 1986, it was realized that drastic measures would be needed if humans were going to save the California condor form extinction. With only three males remaining in the wild and 22 others left in captivity, an aggressive approach was necessary to save these majestic birds.
Standing at nearly 5 feet tall, weighing up to 31 lbs and with a wingspan of up to 10 feet, the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is one of the largest flying birds in Northern America. Surpassed only in weight and wingspan by the Trumpeter (Cygnus buccinator ) and Mute (Cygnus olor ) Swan. The California condor has an average life span of 60 years, with some documented ones surpassing 80 years; it is also one of the longest living birds.
Recognized by its size, bald head and large white patches under their wings, California condors have been worshiped by Native Americans, used for ritualistic sacrifices and its feathers harvested for capes, but it wasn’t until the Europeans settled in the new world did G. californianus start its downfall. “By 1492 the condor was already retreating westward. Its bones were discovered in Florida early on, and recently its former presence in upper New York state was confirmed by Richard Laub of the Buffalo Museum of Science and David Stedman of the New York State Museum. When the '49ers were trekking to California, the condor had retired behind the Rockies, and it survived into the 20th century only in California and Baja California.” (Ehrlich, Dobkin, & Wheye, 1988)
Fossil evidence suggests that the Cathartid (New World) vultures have been around for quite some time with two fossil species dated from the early Oligocene (about 35 million years ago). During the Pliocene and Pleistocene (about 2 million years ago) th...
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...ead poisoning and the deceptive recovery of the critically endangered California condor. (R. Paine, Editor) Retrieved March 01, 2014, from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences : http://www.pnas.org/content/109/28/11449.full
National Geographic. (n.d.). California Condor. Retrieved March 01, 2014, from National Geographic: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/california-condor/
San Diego Zoo. (2014). California Condor. Retrieved March 06, 2014, from San Diego Zoo: http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/california-condor
Young, E. (2012, June 25). Phenomena: Not Exactly Rocket Science. Retrieved March 01, 2014, from National Geographic: http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/25/californian-condor-not-extinct-yet-but-still-regularly-poisoned-by-lead/
The history behind the extirpation of the grey wolf in the United States dates back to the very first European settlers that colonized eastern North America in the late 16th century. The killing of gray wolves was done primarily out of fear in an attempt to protect livestock, and, in some cases, to protect human life within the colonies. As more settlers expanded West, the practice of killing wolves was considerably increased to protect livestock that included cows, pigs, and chickens. As waves of European settlers expanded westward, they began to deplete the deer, moose, and elk populations. The gray wolves food source continual depletion gave rise to wolf populations actively targeting the settler’s livestock, causing great financial loss. The fiscal loss of livestock became such an issue to wealthy ranchers and settlers that they began to offer cash rewards for wolf pelts. This practice gave birth to a lucrative cottage industry of professional hunters and trappers. As the wolves began to move further West, and into Wyoming, they began to diminish the elk and moose population. To respond to this threat, Congress approved funding in 1914, to eliminate the native gray wolves from
Man is responsible for the extinction of the North American megafauna (Donlan 2005, Rubenstein et al. 2006). Since our ancestors are responsible for the extinction, it’s our duty to fix what our ancestors have destroyed (Donlan 2005). Moreover, according to Donlan (2005) most megafauna species in Africa and Asia are endangered or under threat. Hence, relocating them to North American is a best way of conserving them because the country carries “Global conservation implications” and contrary to that Africa and Asia practice poor conservation strategies (Donlan 2005). He further argues that N...
This report is all about the gray wolf. Its scientific name is Canis Lupis. Canis is the Latin word for dog. The genus also includes jackals and coyotes. Lupis is the Latin word for wolf. Gray wolves look similar to German shepherds, but the wolf has longer legs and bigger feet. The color of a gray wolf can range from black to white, but shades of gray are the most common. A unique feature about gray wolves is that the farther north you find them, the larger they are. Males can range from (nose-to-tail) five to six and a half feet and females range from four and a half to six feet. The normal life span of a wolf is about thirteen years, but most wolves don’t live past ten years for numerous reasons. Examples include disease, hunters, etc. The wolves that live in Arctic climates have very thick coats of fur that keeps them warm. Wolves, like all canines, have 42 teeth. Their “fangs”, or canine teeth, are used to grab prey and like a hook. These teeth can be as long as two and a half inches.
Wildlife Services predator control uses many methods and some of which are under review for change. Petitions have been made and many letters to the government and the company have been sent. Actions are being taken to reform this service for the better of ecosystems, livestock, predators, and humans.
The monarch butterfly, as known as Danaus plexippus, is often called the milkweed butterfly because its larvae eat the milkweed plant. They are also sometimes called "royalty butterflies" because their family name comes from the daughter of Danaus, ruler of Argos. There are many other interesting facts about this butterfly including its anatomy and life cycle, where the butterfly lies on the food chain, the migration from Canada to Mexico, why the butterfly is being threatened, and lastly, what is being done to help the butterfly.
Since 1973 the Florida Panther has been listed as an extinct animal. For this cause we should help the
The California’s symbols were designed by the Great Gold Rush. First, the California State mammal is the Grizzly bear. Before the bears with destroyed, they lived in valleys and mountains in California. Impressively, when the settlers came, the bears did not run they lived off the people's livestock and resources. Sadly, the last bear was killed in the early 1920’s. But in 1953, the Grizzly bear was voted in to be the official state animal. In 1931, the valley quail was the named California state bird and is known for its ability to adapt fast. The valley quail has a white stripe under its beak, a black bib, and a black plum on its head.This fat bird is smaller than a pigeon. There are different names for the valley quail, and they are California
Estimates are that at the turn of the twentieth century, over two million wild horses roamed free in the western United States. However, having no protection from their primary predator, man, by the 1970’s their numbers had dwindled to less than thirty thousand. In 1971, after a massive public uproar, Congress by a unanimous vote enacted the “Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act” (Act) that characterizes wild horses and burros as national treasures and provides for their protection. “Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene. It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands.”
...rs livestock. The government put out a program so farmers could kill wolves that they saw attacking their livestock, or if they felt that their own lives were threatened. 18 months after this program was out only ten wolves were killed. which proved that there would be no abusing the law or pushing the wolves to extinction. (Meersman)
Gibson, J. William. "The New War on Wolves." Los Angeles Times 8 Dec. 2011, sec. A: 25. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
Say, if the remaining California Condors are taken into custody and breed. What will happen to those animals affected by the condor? Another animal may eat the carcass that the Condor used to eat, and the cycle continue. On the other hand, we might see overpopulation, resulting in another animals reduce. Should we save animals based on whether it brings tourism dollars to a state or it is a popular food?
When we hear about an endangered species we auto, automatically think of great blue whales, African elephants, polar bears, pandas, etc. These are highly publicized by the media and documentary makers. People are aware of this endangered species but not of the less popular endangered species that are in our own backyard. Based on published historic range and population there is roughly 317 animal and plant species endangered in California. The endangered species are protected under the federal and state Endangered Species Act. Under this act species are protected from being taken from their environment, creates a safe habitat for animals to thrive again, restore population numbers, etc. One of the animals in central California that is listed as being endanger is Vulpes macrotis mutica, commonly known as the San Joaquin kit fox. The San Joaquin Kit Fox habitat has been listed by the United States National Wildlife Services as endangered since March third, 1967. The kit fox has been in the endangered, due to its inability to adapt to the changes in their habitat due to humanity. After 46 years a healthy San Joaquin kit fox population is yet to be achieved.
The project at Yellowstone was met with some apprehension. Biologists there feared that without the fear of predation during the past few generations, the resident moose at Yellowstone would not fear the wol...
Tigers can live up to 26 years. Did you know that tigers can have up to 30 teeth? The first week tigers are born they are blind sometimes they don’t survive in adulthood. Tigers have amazing short term memory. Tigers have great night vision so that makes them successfully hunt at night time. Did you know that there are five different tiger species left on earth? Tigers are the most deadliest cats
Simmons, Randy T. Critical thinking about Environmental issues: Endangered Species. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Print.