PANGOLIN

Image: savepangolins.org

Pangolins, often called “scaly anteaters,” are covered in tough, overlapping scales. These burrowing mammals eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue, and are able to quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball when threatened. Eight different pangolin species can be found across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss have made these incredible creatures one of the most endangered groups of mammals in the world.

Pangolin species vary in size from about 1.6kg (~3.5 lbs) to a maximum of about 33kg (~73 lbs). They vary in color from light to yellowish brown through olive to dark brown. Protective, overlapping scales cover most of their bodies. These scales are made from keratin — the same protein that forms human hair and finger nails. Overlapping like artichoke leaves, the scales grow throughout the life of a pangolin just like hair; scale edges are constantly filed down as pangolins dig burrows and tunnel through the soil in search of termites and ants. Pangolin undersides do not have scales, and are covered with sparse fur. Unlike African pangolins, Asian pangolins also have thick bristles that emerge from between their scales. 

Challenges

Humans have taken their toll on the pangolin.

Pangolins are believed to possess magic or charms. When mixed with bark from certain trees, the scales are thought to neutralize witchcraft and evil spirits. If buried near a man’s door, they are said to give an interested woman power over him. Sometimes the scales are burned to keep lions and other wild animals away. In some areas, pangolins are sacrificed for rainmaking ceremonies; in other areas, they are hunted for meat.

Solutions

Our solutions to protecting the pangolin:

• Engage communities.

  African Wildlife Foundation works with communities living near pangolins and other wildlife to provide them with tools and incentives for sustainable agriculture that allow them to move away from hunting threatened wildlife for food.
  

• Promote public awareness.

  AWF, along with partner organizations, creates public-awareness campaigns, like the "When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too" campaign with Yao Ming, to educate consumers of wildlife products about the damage being done to wildlife populations and the lack of any medicinal or magical properties in pangolin scales.
  
  Sources:  Savepangolins.org
  
                  African Wildlife Foundation

Endangered species designation could slow progress on trail - Gaylord Herald Times: News

Craig Currier (231) 439-9358 - ccurrier@petoskeynews.com
 
NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Ready to break ground this spring on a 15-mile non-motorized trail between Boyne City and Charlevoix, Charlevoix County officials are now studying whether a decision announced last week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will delay its construction plans.
It was revealed on April 1 that the northern long-eared bat, a species that has been decimated by a fungal disease, has been placed on the federal endangered species list. With populations in Michigan, the move puts restrictions on certain activities that could further harm the bats.

In a news release last week, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources listed a series of new regulations that Charlevoix County officials believe may slow — but not altogether postpone — progress on the trail this year.

"I talked to the engineers (last week) and they still have to see what this means," said Ross Maxwell, the county's parks and recreation director. "It looks like we just can't clear the trees for our trail in June and July. If everything is OK there, I can see us still building phase one this year."

Maxwell said he's expecting more information this week.

After initially planning to begin construction on the trail, which will be built in five phases, last year, the county was dealt a series of delays as it waited final approval for the project from state officials. A new timeline was set with construction planned to begin as soon as the weather would allow this year. But the project was again put on hold over the winter as federal officials considered whether to put the northern long-eared bat on the list of endangered species, Maxwell said.

The restrictions announced last week prohibit cutting and clearing of trees within areas where northern long-eared bats have their babies and raise them during June and July. Maxwell said such areas exist all along the trail's path.

The non-motorized trail's construction will start with a 3.2-mile section in Boyne City on a portion that passes through Young State Park. The second phase to be constructed will stretch 3.3 miles originating from the Little Traverse Wheelway in Charlevoix. A third phase in the Horton Bay area is planned for construction in 2016 and the final two phases will follow that.

County officials expect grant funding will cover the entire cost for construction of the trail.

JACKIE CHAN SAYS STOP RHINO POACHING

Source: Youtube

RIVER MONTH

April is river month and we acknowledge the importance of our rivers. These rivers play an important part in the livelihood of our endangered species. most our endangered species stay in rivers, feed in rivers and grow there. Our continent of Africa has many rivers which are considered to be the longest in the world. Below is a list of why rivers are important:

Water

Rivers carry water and nutrients to areas all around the earth. They play a very important part in the water cycle, acting as drainage channels for surface water. Rivers drain nearly 75% of the earth's land surface.Most of our endangered species like rhinos rely on rivers for water.

Habitats

Rivers provide excellent habitat and food for many of the earth's organisms.
Many rare plants and trees grow by rivers. Ducks, voles, otters and beavers make their homes on the river banks. Reeds and other plants like bulrushes grow along the river banks.
Other animals use the river for food and drink. Birds such as kingfishers eat small fish from the river. In Africa, animals such as antelopes, lions and elephants go to rivers for water to drink. Other animals such as bears catch fish from rivers.
River deltas have many different species of wildlife. Insects, mammals and birds use the delta for their homes and for food.

Transport

Rivers provide travel routes for exploration, commerce and recreation.

Farming

River valleys and plains provide fertile soils. Farmers in dry regions irrigate their cropland using water carried by irrigation ditches from nearby rivers.

Energy

Rivers are an important energy source. During the early industrial era, mills, shops, and factories were built near fast-flowing rivers where water could be used to power machines. Today steep rivers are still used to power hydroelectric plants and their water turbines.

Images of our lovely rivers

Images: www.rivers.gov

Source: Rivers

STOP SEISMIC AIRGUN BLASTING

Seismic airguns are used to find oil and gas deep beneath the ocean floor. The airguns are so loud that they can disturb, injure and even  kill marine life. They can also harm commercial fisheries and disrupt coastal economies. These blasts are repeated every ten seconds, 24 hours a day, for days to weeks at a time. Seismic airgun blasting could injure as many as 138,000 whales and dolphins and some could be killed.  It will also disturb millions more, according to government estimates.

Seismic airguns are towed behind ships and shoot loud blasts of compressed air through the water that travel miles into the seabed, which reflect back information about buried oil and gas deposits. These blasts harm marine mammals, sea turtles, fish and other wildlife.

Oceana is working to halt the use of seismic airguns, and stop the expansion of dangerous offshore drilling.

If these blastings are not stopped a lot of our endangered marine mammals are in danger. These include

DOLPHINS

 

Image: fisheries.noaa.gov

SEA LION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image: fisheries.noaa.gov

Source: Oceanacampaign

 

 

 

 

 

MARSH SANDWORT

image: turtlepuddle.org

Marsh sandwort is a delicate herbaceous perennial, producing mat-like clusters of erect, slender shoots from underground runners (Abrams and Ferris 1944; Hartman et al. 2005; Hitchcock 1964; Mason 1957). The vegetative shoots often twine around each other or sprawl over associated vegetation and have been reported to reach up to 1 meter in length. Shoots typically have many pairs of opposite, linear leaves, with blades 1-2 cm long. The flowering shoots, which produce small, solitary, white flowers, often ascend among the leaves and stems of other marsh plants like rushes and sedges. Flowers are about 8-10 mm wide at anthesis, bear 5 white petals, and 10 stamens. Flowering is sporadic, ranging from May through August. Each flower produces a few, small, black seeds, but the type of potential pollinator remains unknown (Mazer and Waddell 1994; Mazer 2000).Marsh sandwort today is known from fewer than three localities, and its numbers have dwindled to perhaps less than perhaps 50 individuals. marsh sandwort is known from as few as two localities in southern San Luis Obispo County. At one of these localities, it co-occurs with Gambel’s watercress, another endangered species. Marsh sandwort has been reported from Mexico and Guatemala, but its distribution there also appears to be highly restricted.

 Threats

•Loss of wetlands and sporadic inundation of stable wetland habitats. •Competition from alien invasives. •Eutrophication resulting from increased nutrient levels.

Source: Center for Plant Conservation