Katie's Blog

Katie’s Blog

Topic: Helping Condors Relearn Their Wild Ways

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2003007,00.html?xid=rss-topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29

Summary:

One of the greatest environmental stories of the past quarter-century is the saving of California Condors from extinction. Although the giant birds were saved, they were only able to survive in captivity and depended on human beings for food and protection from the elements. Attempts to release birds back to their natural habitat were met with failure as the birds resorted to campground-raiding and dumpster-diving rather than hunting and scavenging in the wild. The eventual solution was to release birds slowly with the assistance of human helpers as opposed to “hard release” techniques that sent inexperienced birds out to the wild. Releasing birds into “feeding situations” with other wild condors provides instruction to the once-captive birds. Eventually the birds learn to fly, feed and nest on their own. This technique is now being extended to other endangered species.

Opinion/Reflection:

I was impressed with the persistence shown by the environmentalists to come up with a solution to the condor extinction problem. It is encouraging to know that other species may benefit from the innovative solutions devised to help the condors. I am concerned about species facing extinction and am excited that they can be successfully returned to their natural habitat

Questions:

1. Why did it take scientists so long to discover the successful technique?

2. How many condors did not survive previous efforts?

3. What other species will benefit from this technique?

4. What other challenges do wild condors face?

here's a picture of what a California condor looks like.

Female fish abandoned by males to raise offspring on their own

This picture is of an African Cichlid. There are many different types of cichlids. Some of them are: Malawi, African, Jack Dempsey, and Parrot cichlids.

The cichlid fish, a native to the crater lakes of Nicaragua, look after their young by protecting them from predators. However, studies have shown that the male fish have a tendency to abandon their female mates, leaving them to care for their young alone. Professors from Finland, Australia, and Germany have spent time observing the behaviors of this species. Dr. Wong from Monash University stated that what urged the males to desert their mates was the availability of chances for additional mating. Research has shown that when the male cichlid deserts the female, the female is no longer able to sufficiently care for her young.

1. What are some other possible reasons why the male cichlid fish would leave the female?

2. What, if anything, could be done to the male fish from abandoning the females, OR, what could be done to help the females survive on their own?

3. Do you think the female cichlids will be able to adapt to not having a father figure by their side to help raise their young? Why or why not?

Kelly's Blog

One in 4 Mammals Threatened With Extinction, Group Finds

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/science/earth/07mammal.html?_r=1

Summary: 

A recent study done in Barcelona, Spain has shown that one in four mammals on our planet are in danger of going extinct. Shockingly, this statistic means that 25% of the mammals living today will be wiped out in the next few years, due to habitat loss, hunting, and climate change. The highest threat category, critically endangered, has 188 different species of mammals in it. A quote from Julia Marton-Lefevre, the director general for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, states, "Within our lifetime, hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions." Additionally, Jan Schipper, who is the director of the global mammal assessment for the I.U.C.N, mentions that the overall rate of decline has been increasing steadily over the past decade. Environmentalists are doing all that they can to save these endangered mammals from going extinct.

Opinion/Reflection:

Personally, I find this shocking! To think that 1/4 of the mammal kingdom is going to be wiped out in my lifetime is appalling. I know that our environment isn't doing too well right now, and that we could all try harder to save it, but I didn't know that things were this bad. It interested me how the different levels of being endangered were split up into different categories, and it interests me more that 188 mammal species are in the most serious one!! In the future, I'm going to do all that I can to make these statistics go down. 

Questions:

1) What mammals do you think are most likely to go extinct first? Why?

2) What could we do, as average teenagers, to help save these mammals, as well as all other endangered species?

3) Do you think other animal kingdoms, such as amphibians or insects, have higher or lower rates than mammals? Why?

Photo:

I attached this picture because it is the Iberian lynx, which is a mammal mentioned in the article. The Iberian lynx is among the 188 mammals in the critically endangered group, and there are only 84 estimated adults still living today. 

Shark Victims Rally Behind the Species:
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/shark-victims-rally-behind-the-species/?partner=rss&emc=rss

This article is about shark victims who are becoming involved with protecting endangered shark species. Some people may find it weird that the victims would want to help the sharks, but they look at it as if there is no one better then them to help. Over 73 million sharks are killed each year just for their fins, and multiple organizations worldwide want to change that. Most people think that shark attacks are very common, but in 2008 there were only 59 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide. "'If we want to have the ocean to enjoy, we need the sharks,' Ms. Salamone said. 'They're an important part of that ecosystem.'"

If you were attacked by a shark, would you be fighting for their lives? Do you believe that most shark attacks are started by sharks being provoked by humans? Do you think of sharks as vicious, or fascinating creatures?