Red List: Endangered
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
No 73 - Chinese Crested Tern
The Chinese Crested Tern, Sterna bernsteini, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This seabird was previously thought to be extinct but was re-discovered in 2000. Exclusively coastal, the Chinese Crested Tern only breeds in China and Taiwan on offshore islets and tidal mudflats.
Tragically, the total population is estimated to be at less than 50 individuals. The future of this species is threatened by egg-collection, human disturbance and the loss of coastal wetland habitats. Other threats include the introduction of predatory species such as rats and water pollution that affect the terns’ food sources.
This Chinese Crested Tern is nationally protected in China and Thailand and nesting habitat is patrolled in the breeding season. This has served as an effective deterrent to egg collectors. Programmes to raise local awareness of this bird and address socio economic factors relating to its conservation are being developed.
Monday, 15 March 2010
No 71 - Chinese Giant Salamander
The Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesä. It is the largest of all amphibian species, sometimes growing to more than one meter in length. The Chinese Giant Salamander is widespread in central, southern and southwestern China.
This was once a common species but there has been a drastic population decline of more than 80% over the last three generations largely due to over-harvesting, as it is considered to be a luxury food. Furthermore, the Chinese Giant Salamander habitat has suffered from the construction of dams and local pesticides, fertilizers and pollutants. Although the Chinese Giant Salamander is commercially farmed, the vast majority being traded is believed to originate from the wild.
Fourteen nature reserves have been established for the conservation of the Chinese Giant Salamander, however there are concerns that development around reserves, and tourism plans within the reserve, will disrupt healthy rivers and habitats. Captive rearing of Chinese Giant Salamander has achieved some success, but these projects are mainly to meet the market demand.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
No 66 - Harlequin Frog
The Harlequin Frog, Atelopus varius is listed as a ‘Critically Endangered’ species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesä. It is found in protected areas in Panama and Costa Rica, and can often be seen sitting on rocks or logs around streams or hiding in rock crevices relying on the spray from small fast-flowing streams for moisture. At night it sleeps in crevices or on large leaves in low vegetation near streams. Even within the same population, the colour of this species can greatly vary. Most individuals are black with yellow markings but lime green, orange and red are also fairly common.
In the 1970s, the Harlequin Frog was collected in the thousands as part of the international pet trade. But more recently, the major threat to the Harlequin Frog has been the spread of chytrid fungus. This devastating fungus appears to have been dramatically accelerated by climate change, as the rise in air temperature and precipitation optimizes chytrid vitality. Additionally, the Harlequin Frog is being threatened by newly introduced trout within its range, habitat alteration due to the destruction of natural forests, and the potentially detrimental effects of inbreeding.
Measures are being taken to remove a number of Harlequin Frogs from their threatened habitats to a new location to ensure its future survival. In addition, a captive-breeding program has also been initiated. Whilst recent testing indicates that the remaining populations of Harlequin Frogs are free of chytrid infection, monitoring is carried out twice a year to ensure that future transmission is avoided.
No 65 - Rufous-headed Hornbill
The lovely Hannah Beatrice; illustrator, designer and photographer has drawn this Rufous-headed Hornbill. Thank you!
Red Listed: Critically Endangered
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