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female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab
traps and
lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate ) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her – a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer. |
They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.pushed gently,
When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles.
She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and
thanking them.
Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
The article is actually quite long so it is worthwhile going to the source the read the full thing.
In a comprehensive study assessing all Mediterranean mammals for the first time, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reveals that one in six species is threatened with extinction at the regional level. The report cites habitat loss and degradation as the primary causes for the widespread population declines.
The most significant threat to mammals in the Mediterranean region is the destruction and degradation of the ecosystems and habitats on which they depend. Main causes of habitat loss and degradation include expansion and intensification of agriculture, urbanization, infrastructure development, pollution and climate change.
The report also showed that human activities have a long history as the primary reason behind extinction, and regional extinction, of a significant number of Mediterranean mammals. This is a wake-up call that cannot be ignored.
Read more at ecoworldly.com
For the first time in over a century, a black rhino calf has been born in the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve.
Just two years after receiving six black rhino, South Africa’s Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve has welcomed its first rhino calf. Although black rhino were wiped out by widespread poaching in the area over a century ago, the recent reintroduction is off to a promising start.
The rangers have not been able to determine if the calf is a male or a female: The mother rhino and another female have been protective and are keeping the rangers at a distance.
Erlank explained that the birth of the rhino so soon after the translocation is significant.
What that shows is that the animals that were brought in have adapted well.
Tragically, rhino are still ruthlessly killed for their horn, due an unfortunate Chinese superstition that the horn can relieve pain and reduce fever
Today, there are approximately 4,240 black rhinos - thanks to conservation efforts.
Read more at ecoworldly.com
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, all eight pangolin species are experiencing decreasing populations. Due to an unfortunate superstition throughout China that pangolin meat, scales, fetus, and body parts have medicinal properties, the Chinese Pangolin and the Sunda Pangolin are now classified as endangered.
See more at www.youtube.com
Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material that comprises hair and fingernails. The scales also grow continuously. The pangolin’s scales comprise about 20% of its weight. Pangolins do not have teeth. They feed on on ants and termites using a long, sticky tongue. The pangolin’s tongue - when fully extended - can be up to 16 inches longer than the entire animal. Pangolins can close their ear and nostril openings to keep insects out. The pangolin’s stomach grinds contents with small stones, similar to a bird’s gizzard. Pangolins have very poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of smell. Pangolins mark their territories with stinky secretions from a special gland, as well as the traditional marking methods of scattering feces and urine. It is estimated that one pangolin can consume in excess of 70 million insects per year. There are eight species of pangolin: Four Asian species and four African species. Baby pangolins travel with their mother by riding on the base of her tail. Read more at ecoworldly.com
