No 55 - European Bison

The European Bison is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesä. It is smaller in size and less shaggy than its North American relative but it is in fact the largest herbivore in Europe. The European Bison previously roamed throughout western, central and southeastern Europe. With the advances in agriculture and human expansion it suffered under unlimited hunting and lost much of its natural habitat. It also suffered under unlimited hunting. By the beginning of the 20th Century it only roamed freely in two protected forests in Poland and the former Soviet Union. By 1927, it had disappeared from the wild altogether and only 54 individuals survived in Zoos. 

Re-introductions to forests in Belarus, Poland, Russia, Lithuania and the Ukraine, have been extremely successful. As a result of captive breeding, and intensive conservation management, the total population of free-ranging bison now stands at 1,800 with over 1,400 individuals in captivity.  

No 54 - Egyptian Tortoise

 

The Egyptian Tortoise, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesä. The Egyptian tortoise is a small, desert-living tortoise of the Middle East, recognised for its high-domed, golden-coloured shell and minute size. Once more widespread, its numbers are now so small that it could realistically face extinction in less than 20 years if degradation of landscape and trade is not stopped. This species historically suffered from collection for the national and international pet trade in Egypt, once the species was exhausted from this region, the trade moved its attention to Libyan stock. Currently, the main threats endangering the Egyptian Tortoise are intensive commercial collection and habitat destruction, which have already led to the disappearance of the species from much of its former range. Agricultural expansion, cultivation, overgrazing and urban encroachment have put enormous pressure on the Egyptian Tortoise’s fragile and dwindling habitat, dramatically reducing available vegetation for food and cover. The Libyan government does not currently offer the Egyptian Tortoise protection, but it is protected from international trade, sadly these laws are often flouted. The establishment of more protected areas and better enforcement of trade laws would greatly enhance the survival prospects of the entire species. 

No 53 - Polynesian Ground Dove

 

The Polynesian Ground Dove, Gallicolumba erythroptera, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesä. This beautiful dove can be found in the forests, scrubland, plantations, and rural gardens of French Polynesia. It can be identified by its low melancholic moan and a splash of white over the males’ chest, throat and eyebrows. Today, there are less than 200 Polynesian Ground Doves left in the wild. Historically there are two main reasons for the decline in numbers of this species: hunting and newly introduced predators to the islands such as cats and rats. More recently this shy dove has struggled with human expansion into its habitat.

No 52 - European Eel

 

European Eel: More on this fella in ARKive

No 51 - No-eyed Big-Eyed Spider

 

Have a big eyed look: Kauai Cave Wold Spider (its other name!)

This Hawaiian Spider is Endangered: Red List 

For more photos: ARKive

No. 50 - Sea Marigold

 

Sea Marigold: Critically Endangered  

Arkive: Photos

No 49 - Luristan Newt

Luristan Newt: Critically Endangered

No 48 - Ash-breasted Tit-tyrant

This is perhaps the best named bird.
                                       Small but potent.
                                                 Grey but colourful.
                                                                Loved yet endangered...

Interesting Fact: Its call is soft; a rolling series of nasal, repeated crriu notes.

For more interesting facts: Bird Life

No 47 - Maned Three-toed Sloth

 

Maned Three-toed Sloth: Endangered

Arkive: Profile

No 46 - Knysna Banana Frog

Knysna Banana Frog: Endangered

No 45 - Milagros Tiger

 

Red List: Endangered

No 44- Mindoro Bleeding-Heart

 

The Mindoro Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba platenae, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesä. The Mindoro Bleeding-heart is a shy, ground dwelling pigeon that feeds on seeds, fallen fruit and worms found on the forest floor. It is native only to the island of Mindoro, in the Philippines. The Mindoro Bleeding-heart has an extremely small, severely fragmented population that is undergoing a continuing population decline owing to lowland forest destruction, hunting and capture for pet-trade.

Lowland forest destruction has eradicated almost all Mindoro Bleeding-heart habitats. More of this bird’s habitat, in the forests at Siburan and Mount Iglit-Baco National Park, is being threatened by encroaching shifting cultivation, slash-and-burn agriculture and occasional selective logging; whilst the collection of Rattan climbing palms disturbs the forest undergrowth. In forests at Puerto Galera, the Mindoro Bleeding-heart faces destruction from dynamite blasting which goes on for marble extraction. This beautiful pigeon also faces the threat of being hunted for food and pet trade.

Continuing studies that assess the Mindoro Bleeding-heart’s requirements for breeding and foraging will help conserve and increase its survival rates. Other conservation activities include: the elimination of logging activities, regulating hunting and forest-product extraction, and continuing support for Mt Iglit-Baco National Park.

 

No 43 - Bothrops Alacatraz

No 42 - Sri Lankan Rose

Not a Rose,
Not Sri LAnka's Beauty Queen,

but a Butterfly.

Arkive: Profile

No 41 - Namdapha Flying Squirrel

He flies at night under the cover of darkness. Rarely seen so little is known about him. A thing of mythology? No. He is believed to live in the Himalayas... the Super Namdapha Flying Squirrel!

Red List: Critically Endangered

Arkive: Profile

No 40 Venezuelan Yellow Frog

Red List: Critically Endangered

Endangered Animals: Colouring in!

No 39 - White-eyed Starling

This starling was once wide-eyed; eyes filled with innocence and wonder. He would be found in the the warm fold of friends. They would soar into the sky and dance. They would sweep across the sky with their long tail-streamers tracing their movements behind them.

Today he stares into the hill forest and realizes he is a solitary figure. He feels lost yet this is his home, his forest, his country. He alone has long tail-streamers, the other males have lost theirs or they are broken. The forest is smaller. When did he make enemies with these machines? He looks out into the world white-eyed.

No 38 - Woylie

I'm not a rat. 

I'm a Brush-tailed Rat Kangaroo.

Woylie.

Redlist: Critically Endangered

Arkive:  17 Photos

No 37 - Hector's Dolphin

 

Hector's Dolphin: Endangered

No 36 Brownstripped Grunt

Introducing the little Brownstripped Grunts. They are small and make small noises... hold your breath and go squinty eyed...

No 35 - Nuragica Columbine

The Nuragica Columbine is a flower that hints of the daffodil and whispers of Spring. It is an Italian secret, as it is only found in Sardinia. This delicate flower grows in a gorge along the seasonal Flumineddu River on the nearly vertical limestone cliffs. The number of individuals is very low and they appear to be declining; only 10 -15 individuals are believed to exist. A truly unique population.

The beautiful Nuragica Columbine is facing a high extinction risk due to natural factors rather than human impact.

There is no current legal protection in place Nuragica Columbine, but an action plan is being developed.

No 34 - The Molokai Jack-Bean

Molokai Jack-Bean: Critically Endangered

Profile: Molokai Jack-Bean

No 33 - Candelabra Tree

The link to the Candelabra Tree: Critically Endangered

No 32 - The Titicaca Water Frog

The Secret:

The Facts:
It is found in the lakes of the Titicaca Basin in Peru and Bolivia. It is the largest aquatic frog, reaching lengths of 50cm and weighting up to one kilogram. This remarkable frog spends its entire life underwater and is thought to breathe through its loose fitting skin.

The number of Titicaca Water Frog has declined dramatically in recent years as a result of degradation of its habitat and the extraction of water from the lakes. The harvesting of adults and the predation of larvae by introduced trout species are also major problems.

Habitat management and protection is present at the Lake Titicaca Reserve but further action and better enforcement is desperately needed. Whilst captive-breeding programmes are taking place they have so far been unsuccessful.

The Black and White Truth:

Red List: Critically Endangered