G6 Biology Essays

What role has man played in the
Endangering of animal species on our

planet?

​Grade 6 Science Essays 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fiona Wilson 3

How Do Human Conservation Affect the Critically Endangered Vaquita Marina Dolphin? 3
Luke Park 6

How does the Environment affect the Galapagos Penguins,and the conservation attempts for them? 6

Robert Blenk 8

Why are Mountain Gorillas Critically Endangered? 8
Jared Bok 10

Do Humans Impact Help the Critical Bengal Tigers Alive?. 10
Kevin Hon 12

The Critically Endangered Cross River Gorillas 12
Jen You Feng 14

What Has Man Contributed to the Endangerment of the Saola and What Has Man Done to Conserve the

Saola? 14

Brian Choi, 17

How Do Human conservation Affect the Critically Endangered Javan Rhino 17
Paloma Zurita 19

How does human role help the endangered Mustela Nigripes survive? 19
Christian Viljoen 22

What impact has the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle have on the environment and what role has

humans played in the conservation of this animal? 22

Ashritha Tanaraj 24

How did humans make the Green Turtles Critically Endangered? 24
Alexandros Stravrothanasis 27

What Role Has Man Played To Help The Balaenoptera Musculus 27
Christopher Ruoff 29

What Role Has Man Contributed to The Endangerment of The African Wild Dog? 29
Phil Pibernat Park 32

How Does Politics Effect the Hector’s Dolphin? 32
Kanta Mitsutani 34

How does the human environment affect the endangered Red Panda? 34
Brooke McAnulty 36

What are the Human Roles of Impacts on Endangered Snow Leopards? 36

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Fiona Wilson
Grade 6 Blue
24 May 2017

How Do Human Conservation Affect the Critically Endangered Vaquita
Marina Dolphin?

Figure 1. Vaquita Porpoise. Your Daily Dish. 24 May 2017

Only 30 vaquita porpoises are left in the world and will probably be extinct by 2018! The vaquita
porpoise lives in the northern gulf of California and are dying in their ocean habitat. These critically
endangered vaquitas are the world's most rare marine mammal. The vaquita are dying out from the
fishing of the totoaba fish which are being used in Chinese medicine. When people illegally fish the
totoaba fish they usually catch and drown the vaquitas in their nets. ("Vaquita") The vaquita are
dying out and we need to find a way to save them.

Figure 3. Vaquita Living Area Map. SWFSC. 24 May 2017

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One out of every five vaquitas get ensnared and wiped out when the gillnets were meant for the
totoaba fish which have also become critically endangered. The low levels of the vaquita are caused
by the overfished totoaba that have made the vaquita endangered since the mid-1970s. Totoaba
swim bladder has high prices such as $4,000 per pound of the swim bladder. The high prices are
causing an extreme in illegal fishing and the bladders are being smuggled to China. WWF or World
Wildlife has helped by talking to the Mexican authority and provincial participants about defensive
measures. To promote long period action WWF has also communicated to the government
administrators and other colleagues. WWF is convincing the Mexican ministry to ban gillnet fisheries.
The US and Chinese governments were asked to stop illegal trade with totoaba and support the
Mexican government. ("Vaquita") Shedd Aquarium and heads of the AZA or Association of Zoos and
Aquariums has supplied $1 million to the Vaquita CPR while the Mexican government has supplied $3
million. The arrangement will move the vaquitas in brief sanctuaries until the northern gulf of
California is a safe environment for the porpoises. (John G.) If the fishermen do not turn to illegal
fishing of the totoaba then their local community will suffer and they would rather the vaquita be
gone then themselves. (Uribe) The vaquita are leading a very rough future for themselves and local
fishers and need to be supported in the correct way.

Figure 2. Decline in vaquita numbers over time. SWFSC. 24 May 2017

20 years ago there were around 600 vaquita porpoises remaining but the numbers plummeted. The
Mexican government made the law on illegal fishing more strict but the numbers have still crashed
down hard. ("Last-ditch attempt") At the moment some of the 30 vaquitas are being held in a safe
sanctuary located in the northern gulf of California until the area is safe and the vaquita can thrive
again. ("Adios, Vaquita Marina?") In 2014 there were around 100 vaquitas left meaning that the
levels have been dipping and the vaquita may not be seeing a future if the action being taken does
not affect or help the vaquita and their numbers. ("Endangered Animals List") In 2007 scientists
predicted that there were only two years left to find a solution to saving the vaquita. In 1993 the
Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Reserve was made to conserve endangered animals
including the vaquita marina. In 2005 a reserve was made by the government. All the different parts
of the process are important but more will be needed to save the porpoises. The Mexican
government made the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita or CIRVA. The CIRVA
is a group of Canadian, American, British, and Mexican scientists, they recommend that bycatch
should be reduced to 0 immediately. They also recommend that there should be a ban on the use of
any type of entangling fishing nets. ("Vaquita, Phocoena sinus") Progress is on its way.

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I have chosen the political factor to identify how the vaquita are affecting other things around them
and the economic factor is also tied to political. The Mexican government has created a no fishing
zone using gillnets but it is only a temporary ban and organizations are trying to make the ban
permanent. Illegal fishing is still happening even though this ban has been set. The no fishing zone is
affecting the local community because the community relies mostly on the fishing of the totoaba fish
making the locals scared that this ban will affect them negatively. Government authorities are
patrolling the no fishing zone area, this affected a fisherman's mob where the fishermen set fire to
the patrol guards vehicles and started physically hurting the guards. The government is working on a
$4 million rescue plan to save the vaquita but it may be hard when totoaba bladder cost up to
$4,000 per pound, $10,000 per bladder, and $100,000 per kilo making the fishermen eager to fish.
("Adios, Vaquita Marina?") ("Vaquita") ("Last-ditch attempt") The effects with saving the vaquita are
very negative on the economy and a better solution is needed.

The vaquita marina porpoise is critically endangered at 30 individuals left. The smallest porpoise in
the world is endangered because of the illegal fishing of the totoaba fish that's bladders are used in
medicine, the poor vaquita are tangled in the gillnets and drowned. The government and scientific
organizations are doing a $4 million plan to save these dying porpoises and are making a no fishing
zone where the vaquita live. The laws that the government made of the no fishing zone is making
the fishermen's lives rough and it is hard for them to have money for their daily needs. Science
makes a difference and the knowledge of the vaquita can help them because people can find new
ways to conserve and breed the vaquita in a safer environment, bringing the vaquita back to thrive.
(930 words)

Works Cited

"Adios, Vaquita Marina? Mexico's 'little Sea Cow' Is Being Pushed to the Edge of Extinction." P​ ublic

Radio International​. Web. 22 May 2017.

Aquarium, Shedd. "Help Save the World's Most Endangered Marine Mammal." ​National Geographic

Society (blogs)​. 18 Apr. 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.

McKie, Robin. "Last-ditch Attempt to save the Endangered Vaquita Porpoise." ​The Observer.​

Guardian News and Media, 29 Apr. 2017. Web. 22 May 2017.

Owen, Jason. "World's Smallest Porpoise on Brink of Extinction." ​Your Daily Dish.​ 16 May 2016. Web.

23 May 2017.

"Vaquita." ​WWF.​ World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.

"Vaquita Synopsis." V​ aquita Synopsis - SWFSC​. Web. 23 May 2017.

"Vaquita Photos and Facts." A​ rkive​. Web. 22 May 2017.

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Luke Park
Grade 6 Blue
24 May 2017

How does the Environment affect the Galapagos Penguins,and the
conservation attempts for them?

For my essay,I have chosen the Galapagos penguin,because it is the only penguin to exist on the
Galapagos islands.It of course,lives in the wondrous Galapagos islands,and is endangered due to
pollution,bycatch,climate change,dogs with diseases,various weather based El nino events,and cats
that have the potential to eat them.My evidence for this is that the amount of galapagos penguins
has dropped by 77%,of its entire population in a 4 years,thus making it very high on the risk of
extinction.(“WWF 2017”)

This animal is in danger of extinction,because of multiple reasons,mostly events from El Nino,which is
a phenomena where the ocean temperatures suddenly change,that threatens the fish of the
galapagos islands,which are the homes to these penguins.There are also many other reasons,such as
dogs that carry diseases that can spread to penguins,cats that could serve as predators,and eggs
being destroyed by el nino are the main reasons why this penguin is going extinct. In fact 77%
percent of their population has died because of these events (“WWF,2017”).Also,avian malaria was
introduced to these penguins,carried by mosquitos that humans brought to the galapagos
islands.These penguins also only live in the galapagos islands,thus meaning that if a conflict
happened in that one specific area,than most,or even all of these penguins will die. There are many
solutions to this,such as associations such as WWF making various boxes for these penguins to lay
eggs in,to prevent them from not being able to reproduce,and the scientific community are making
special places and enclosures to keep these penguins safe.People have also banned the usage of

(“Fig. 1.​ ​Kjirsti Jorgensen World Wildlife Fund 24 May 2017”)
nets in the areas the penguins live,and have banned making coastal developments in breeding areas.

Scientists have been trying to reverse what had happened to these penguins in many different
ways.One of them is the Galapagos Natural Park,which holds these penguins safely so they can so
they can repopulate,and they are also being researched in here for possible actions that scientists
can take in order to repopulate this penguin.

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Also,They have banned,and are discouraging the use of fishing nets in areas with these penguins,so
they can live in their habitat safely without getting caught by fishing nets.(“Arkive, 2017”)The
scientific community is also preventing the creation of coastal developments,and they are also
providing nest boxes,for the penguins to reproduce and store their eggs in,so predators can not
eat,or harm the eggs. However,sadly all this is not very effective as all the galapagos penguins live in
the same area,thus meaning that they are especially weak to certain troubles,such as a storm or a
mass killing.These penguins also only feed on their prey in their habitat,but due to el nino events,not
only are the penguins killed,the prey of these penguins are also killed,meaning that these penguins
can starve to death. Overall,it is safe to say that the scientific community's efforts are futile.

The main factor of extinction for these penguins are social issues.people around the world are using
oil,fossil fuels,and devices which contribute to Global warming.Global warming also causes a natural
phenomenon known as El Nino,which causes sudden changes in the ocean temperature.this causes
the fish on the galapagos ocean to not go to the places where the habitats of the penguins are,thus
causing the penguins to starve.Also,these penguins do not breed when there is no food,meaning that
these penguins will not only die,but they will also fail to reproduce and thus reverse what
happened.this will cause a mass decrease in the species,so people in the scientific community are
letting people revolt against predators of this penguin,and are revolting against people in their
breeding territory.they are also setting up tags for these penguins to keep track of the
population.(“Surfbirds, 2017”)

In conclusion the galapagos penguin lives in the galapagos islands,and is being threatened by
animals and diseases,along side with El nino events that cause the loss of food.Scientists are trying
to prevent this by banning the use of fishing nets and creating coastal developments near these
penguins,along side with being able to support them in breeding and protecting their home.
However,the hope for these penguin may be bleak,but the community will have hope for them.

Works Cited
“​http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/blog/2017/04/17/the-penguin-that-paddles-in-paradise/
Web. 22 May 2017.
"Galapagos Penguin Videos, Photos and Facts." ​Arkive​. Web. 22 May 2017.
"Galápagos Penguin." ​WWF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
“Fig. 1.​ K​ jirsti Jorgensen World Wildlife Fund 24 May 2017”

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Robert Blenk
Grade 6 Blue
May 24 2017

Why are Mountain Gorillas Critically Endangered?

Did you know sadly there are less than 790 Mountain Gorillas left in the world. The Mountain Gorilla
is endangered in the Congo Basin and the Mountain Gorillas habitats are in the forest and the
mountain. According to WWF Mountain Gorillas are endangered because “H​ umans have moved into
areas near m​ ountain gorillas,​ they have cleared land for agriculture and livestock. Even land within
protected areas is not safe from clearing—in 2004, for example, illegal settlers cleared 3,700 acres of
gorilla forest in Virunga National Park.” (​"Mountain Gorilla.")

There are numerous reasons why the congo basin species of gorillas is endangered. First, humans
are destroying the mountain gorilla habitats because of population growth and the need for more land
to live that is shrinking the gorilla’s jungle living space. Second, illegal poaching still exists and is
difficult to stop. Third, there is global demand for natural resources and the Congo Basin is rich in
these resources. To combat these threats, local governments and charitable organizations have
joined together to improve collaboration between countries, stop illegal expansion into protected
gorilla habits by continuous education of the local residents and allocating financial resources to
projects that make the biggest impact. Some examples of projects include tree plantation programs
outside of the Virunga National Park in the DPR Congo where more than 20 million trees were
planted aimed to protected the gorilla habitats by providing another source for the wood needed by
the local inhabitants. Also, private donations have supported the local park authorities to ensure
there are enough park rangers in place and to also purchase the necessary equipment required by
these rangers when they are on patrols to make sure their efforts are effective in protecting the
mountain gorillas and their habitats.

(Anna Behm Masozera)(Crash Course On Mountain Gorillas) (24 May 2017)

The scientists working for the governments and charitable organizations are the experts that work in
the field to track the results of the strategic efforts to reverse the shrinking numbers of the Congo
Basin Mountain Gorilla. There are several programs in place that are measurable and when
combined, the long term effects on increasing the numbers of mountain gorillas is expected. The
tree plantation project mentioned earlier, has been successful with achieving a ‘zero-net
deforestation’ goal.

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The 20 million trees planted and financial incentive programs for farmers who effectively manage
their properties is an effective and measurable program that can stop the shrinking of the gorilla’s
habitable land. Institutions have introduced programs aimed at providing advanced forest
management technical training to young professionals that will increase knowledge amongst the local
communities. In addition, certification bodies have developed forest management standards that
private logging companies can be awarded for operating responsibly. Another measurable solution is
the introduction of legislation and policy by the country governments who have authority over the
Congo Basin. This legislation includes collaboration and joint country forces that can work across
borders in order to improve the effectiveness of the park rangers to combat illegal mountain gorilla
poaching.
Laws are made for people to should follow but not everyone does. The factor I will choose for the
Mountain Gorilla is social because humans are poaching the Mountain Gorillas for their meat and
more land because of human population increase. Also laws are made to help animals or people but
no one likes to listen to them. Like some miners at the National park poach the animals. But some
people and scientist that help the national park protect the animals so they can make them reproduce
or clone the animals. That is a way the people and scientist are helping the animals.
Sadly, the Mountain Gorilla is critically endangered. This is because humans are illegally poaching
the Mountain Gorilla for their meat, Human population, and that humans capture the mountain gorilla
illegally. What scientist did to help the Mountain Gorillas is making a list that helps the gorillas not get
diseases from humans. Stay 7 meters away from the gorillas at least.(660 Words)

Works Cited
"Gorilla Beringei ." ​Gorilla Beringei (Eastern Gorilla)​. Web. 23 May 2017.
"Mountain Gorilla." ​WWF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
Powered by GravityFree The Smart Business Web Agency Http://www.gravityfree.com/. "Top 10

Ways to Protect Mountain Gorillas." G​ orilla Doctors.​ 17 Oct. 2014. Web. 23 May 2017.

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Jared Bok
Grade 6 Blue
May 24th, 2017

Do Humans Impact Help the Critical Bengal Tigers Alive?.

The animal I have chosen for my essay is the “​Bengal tiger”​ . The scientific name for the
Bengal tiger​ is called the “P​ anthera Tigris Tigris​”. The conservation status for the ​Bengal tiger​ is the
endangered column. There are about 2,000 - 2,500 ​Bengal tigers ​left in the wild. The Bengal tigers
are the

The Bengal tigers are getting endangered because of the people hunting down the Bengal
tigers and also because of the deforestation that is happening around the world. The reasons people
hunt down the Bengal tigers are because the tigers can cure diseases on people, and can be
clothes/accessories to people. For example, the tiger teeth are to cure people who are having fevers,
and the tiger brain are used for to treat people from the laziness and from getting pimples. People
love tigers for their thick and delightful fur for using. For instance, the thick and colorful fur that
tigers have can become a warm and fuzzy coat at the cold winter, or it can be a warm rug also at
winter. “Deforestation can have a negative impact on the environment. The most dramatic impact is
a loss of habitat for millions of species. Eighty percent of Earth’s land animals and plants live in
forests, and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes.” (“Deforestation”
National geographic. Web. Copyright © 2015-2017). These days, the activist groups for endangered
animals are protecting the habitats for the tigers from hunters/poachers from hunting tigers so they
can use them for their own good. The activist groups also stopped making people kill tigers to cure
diseases and for people to wear and use places like the tiger skins. They even increased the
education for kids and give alertness to adults more about the reasons an why the tigers are getting
extinct.

(Fig. 1

As the population of people increased on the Indian subcontinent from the 1940s on, tiger habitat
was lost as their native forests were reduced to create land for agriculture and road networks. Also,
the mangrove forests, where tigers still live as of 2014, are threatened by rising sea levels due to
climate change. Bengal tigers have also experienced prey loss due to a dec ine in the prey animal
populations as a result of illegal poaching and habitat loss. Poaching and killing tigers for the illegal
wildlife trade is the biggest threat to Bengal tigers in the wild. There is a large demand for tigers, or
pieces of them, for status symbols, folk cures and decorative items. As their habitat is reduced and
their prey animals dwindle, tigers come in closer contact with human settlements. They kill villagers'
domestic livestock and have been known to kill people. Tigers are then killed by the villagers.

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White Bengal tigers, like all Bengal tigers, are endangered because of habitat loss, prey loss, illegal
hunting for profit and conflicts with humans.There are less than 2,500 Bengal tigers in the wild.
Bengal tigers live primarily in India, with smaller groups located in Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar,
Bhutan and China.

The use of tiger parts in Chinese medicine is nothing new, but it has only been in recent years that
the increase in the standard of living in southeast Asia has made these remedies available to most
people. It is no wonder then that this newly affluent population has had a great effect on wildlife
numbers and the demand for tiger parts. In many places in China, tiger parts are a delicacy that is
served at special private banquets. The use of endangered tiger products and their medicines is seen
as a symbol of high status and wealth. Some remedies list tiger parts as an ingredient, but the real
animal parts are so expensive that often the medicines may have only trace elements; but even this
is enough to promote the continued slaughter of the tiger. In addition, in recent years there has
been a resurgence in traditional practices fundamental to the history of Chinese society. This has
been fueled by cultural pride, and a growing sentiment that western medicine contains some
shortcomings in treating illness. Furthermore, new communities around the globe including non-Asian
communities, are supplementing traditional Chinese medicine treatments into their western style of
medicine, igniting the demand for tiger parts beyond what can be supplied.

Everyday, each animal all over the world get extinct bit by bit. One of those animals are the
“B​ engal tiger​”. The Bengal tigers are getting endangered from the hunters hunting them. People sell
parts of tiger medicines so they can cure people’s diseases. People also get the tiger's skin for coats
or rugs. Activist groups are protecting the tiger habitats so hunters won’t hunt down the tigers, and
increased education for everyone more about the Bengal tigers. This affects the politics from people
buying the medicines and tiger skins. The numbers of tigers are down to 1000,000 in centuries. (700
words)

Works Cited

Animals, A-Z. "Bengal Tiger." A​ -Z Animals - Animal Facts, Pictures and Resources​. Web. 09 May

2017.

"Bengal Tiger." W​ WF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
"Bengal Tiger: An Endangered Species." ​Tigers in Crisis.​ Web. 13 May 2017.

Munita, Photograph By Tomas. "Deforestation and Its Effect on the Planet." ​Facts, Information, and

Effects​. 17 May 2017. Web. 23 May 2017.
"Species List." W​ WF.​ World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
"Where Do Tigers Live?" R​ eference​. IAC Publishing. Web. 10 May 2017.

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Kevin Hon

Grade 6B
5/24/2017

The Critically Endangered Cross River Gorillas

There only 200 - 300 Cross River Gorillas in the world (“7 Gorilla fact you should know”).
I have chosen the Cross River Gorillas as my critically endangered animal because Gorillas are the
one of the most similar animals to humans and the baby gorillas are cute. It lives in Congo Basin.
Their habitat is forest. It is critically endangered animal because people are hunting the cross river
gorillas even though it is illegal, they're getting stolen from their families by humans, and dying from
disease for example ebola (worldwildlife).

The gorillas are losing population because they are dying from a disease called ebola which is a very
deadly disease, humans are killing the gorillas to eat as a sign of wealth, and cutting out the forest to
build multiple farms. WWF put a protected area in the border between Nigeria and Cameroon
because Nigeria and Cameroon are where the cross river gorillas and other gorillas too come from.
WWF have rangers AKA gunners in the area to protect the gorillas from the anti poachers. Scientist
also help gorillas by researching on ebola. For example from 1992 to 2007 one third of all the gorillas
in the world was found in protected areas and most of them were killed by the ebola virus and even
more diseases. Humans are the ones who usually get ebola but since gorillas are extremely similar to
humans they get ebola as well. (Mackay 50). For instance WWF supports the ebola research and
effort to develop the vaccine for gorillas. One of the solution is ecotourism. Ecotourism is important
because they protect gorillas and their habitat. The area where the gorillas live have commercial
hunting, and cutting trees so it good to have ecotourism because it help the environment.

So today the cross river gorillas are not allowed to be exchange something for a gorilla, you can’t sell
gorillas, and killing the gorillas is against the Congo Basin, Nigeria, and Cameroon laws. This work
successfully because there has be a decline in international trade of the species. Although poaching
is still illegal people still poach gorillas so it still a major problem for gorillas.“The united nations
environmental program has recognized the urgent need to protect our closest relatives and has
established a great ape survival project”(Arkhive). This is good because they gave money to the
government to protect the apes. Scientist has recently found a vaccine for gorillas and the vaccine
made the immune system very powerful so it can have more chance of defeating disease (bbc). Dr.
peter walsh started an experiment of making a vaccine for gorillas but they tested on 10
chimpanzees. The result was that the vaccines worked and there were no bad side effects. The
scientist said that since the vaccines work on chimpanzees it should work on gorillas. The scientists
are unclear about the vaccines remains effective and stable in the hotness of the forest and the
amount needed. the vaccines worked so the scientist said that we should use it for gorillas but the
conservationist says we shouldn’t use it yet because you need more research. So scientist like Dr.
walsh have more work to do (bbc).

Culture, People are hunting gorillas for food and it a symbol of being wealth. One or few poachers
can wipe out all the gorillas in the world. The poachers usually kills the mother gorilla's first because
their the one who's defending the offsprings. After capturing baby (bbc) gorillas the poachers often
sell them as pets or to eat. Once the baby gorillas grow bigger people usually kills them.

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The african conservation foundation are protecting the gorillas by making two new protected area in
Cameroon. The area are made only for the gorillas and it 8087 hectares (Help save cross river
gorillas). Scientist also made a 3D map for the 8000 hectares forest so the african conservation
foundation can monitor the place better.
In conclusion after chimpanzees and bongo, cross river gorilla is the most similar to humans
(worldwildlife). They critically endangered animal because their dying from diseases such as ebola,
poaching, habitat destruction Many scientist, conservationist, and others are trying to make cross
river gorillas population higher by creating protected areas, stop anti poachers from stealing and
killing gorillas, and scientist made a vaccine for gorillas.

Works Cited
Cross River Gorilla​. Web. 23 May 2017.
"Cross River Gorilla." ​WWF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
Mackay, Richard. ​The Atlas of Endangered Species​. Berkeley: U of California, 2009. Print.
Morelle, Rebecca. "Ebola Vaccine Shows Promise for Gorillas and Chimps." B​ BC News​. BBC, 10 Mar.

2017. Web. 23 May 2017.
Morelle, Rebecca. "Ebola Vaccine Shows Promise for Gorillas and Chimps." ​BBC News.​ BBC, 10 Mar.

2017. Web. 23 May 2017.
"Western Gorilla Video." ​Arkive​. Web. 21 May 2017.

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Jen You Feng
Grade 6 Blue

5/24/17

What Has Man Contributed to the Endangerment of the Saola and What Has
Man Done to Conserve the Saola?

Fig. 1. Hulse, David. World Wildlife Fund. 24 May 2017
The Saola or the “Asian Unicorn”is a critically endangered animal living in the Annamite
Mountains of Vietnam and Laos. The saola is the first large mammal introduced to the world in 50
years. It was first discovered in May of 1992 making the saola a very recently discovered animal.
Even though the saola was discovered very recently sadly, with none in captivity, it is estimated that
it has a population around 70 - 700. ("​ Species Saola.") The main threats that the saolas are facing is
habitat loss and more importantly, poaching.

The saola’s natural habitat, the Annamite Mountains.
Fig. 2. Holden, Jeremy. World Wildlife Fund. 24 May 2017

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Sadly, this very recently discover animal has a conservation status of critically endangered.
The reason to its fast decrease in the recent years of its discovery is mainly because of poaching and
habitat loss. Saolas are caught in snare traps that are meant to be for wild boar and other animals.
People also hunt the saola for the creation of chinese medicine and is sometimes traded in food
markets located in Laos & Vietnam. As much as poaching, habitat loss is another great factor to the
decreasing population of saolas. Forests are cut down in order for agriculture, plantation, mineral
mining, infrastructure. Deforestation allows poachers to easily access the few remaining wildlife and
hunt the saolas down. Fortunately, to protect the saolas, there are many efforts in order to save the
saola. The WWF(World Wildlife Fund) is putting effort to create protected areas to conserve the saola
and is managing areas where it is reported that the saola was discovered.(“Species Saola”) Also, the
WWF already established 2 reserves in the Thua-Thien Hue & Quang Nam provinces in order to
conserve these creatures (“Saola”). In these nation reserves forest guards were hired in 2015 it is
estimated that the forest guards removed over 130,000 traps and dismantled over 1000 illegal
poaching and logging (“Rescuing the Last”). In addition, the Ministry of Forestry has canceled
logging operations around areas that the saola was discovered and has banned all capture, trade,
and keeping this rare creature. Finally, the Nam Theun 2 dam project is planning to give 1 million
USD every year for 30 years for the protection NNT NPA(​Nakai Nam Theun National Protected Area​),​
the protected area for the saola (“Saola”).

Although the future of the saola is uncertain, scientists have made some successful
procedures in order to save this peculiar creature. First of all, the WWF has already created 2
national reserves in he Thua-Thien Hue & Quang Nam provinces and is still working on creating more
(“Species Saola”).The science community also provided successful conservation efforts as the
Ministry of Forestry has cancelled all logging operations at areas where the saolas were sighted and
also banned all capture, trading and keeping the saolas. This is effective because habitat loss was
one of the main threats of the saola. By cancelling these operations, saolas can have a habitat that is
not threatened constantly by chainsaws. Making a law that forbids the capture and trading of these
creatures is efficient and effective because anyone caught doing these acts is performing something
illegal and can get arrested by it. Second of all, the Nam Theun 2 dam project will donate 30 million
USD within a timespan of 30 years. This is helping the community build a protected habitat for the
saola and helping it reproduce its own species, therefore saving the saola from extinction (“saola”).
In addition, the forest guards removed over 130,000 traps and dismantled 1000 illegal operation
which has drastically affected the saola’s habitat and well being (“Rescuing the Last”). Finally,
surveys have been carried out to find the distribution the saola which is helping scientists research
and create more conservation efforts in order to save the saola (“saola”).

Saolas have made a small economical impact especially with poaching. Saolas mainly impact
humans because it is one of many animals that are hunted for food and hide in Vietnam and Laos
and often sold in the food markets. Horns of the saola is also a valuable item and is often hunted to
give it to locals as a precious trophy. Saolas have also made an economical impact within
infrastructure also. Infrastructure is a cluster of buildings optimized for work or housing. When
workers or civilians come to use these structures, they are required to pay a monthly or yearly fee
which means that the saola habitat and the saolas have impacted the economy because of the loss
of habitats and their valuable meat, hide and horn.

15

The saola or often called the “Asian Unicorn” is a critically endangered animal discovered by the
WWF and the Vietnam ministry of forestry on May 1992. This recently discovered animal is facing
threats, mainly poaching and habitat loss. Scientist and the government has banned the capture and
trading of this creature and cancelled all logging operation around areas where the saola was
discovered. Even though this animal was discovered very recently it has made some economical
impact to humans. Humans sell and keep the saola’s valuable meat, hide and horns. It was only
discovered 25 years ago but it is critically endangered. If we don’t conserve the saola, it will perish
from our world. (881 words)

Works Cited
Animals, A-Z. "Saola." ​A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Pictures and Resources​. Web. 23 May 2017.
Holcomb, Darce. "Pseudoryx Nghetinhensis (Saola)." A​ nimal Diversity Web​. Web. 23 May 2017.
"Rescuing the Last of the Unicorns: How You Can Help Save the Endangered Deer No One Knows

Exists." ​One Green Planet​. Web. 23 May 2017.
"Saola." W​ WF.​ World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
"Species Results for ‘Saola’." ​Arkive.​ Web. 18 May 2017.

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Brian Choi,
Grade 6 Blue,
May, 24th, 2017

How Do Human conservation Affect the Critically Endangered Javan Rhino

The Javan rhino is one type of critically endangered rhino and I have chosen it because it is
the most threatened of the five different rhino species. According to the World Wildlife Fund website,
there are less than 60 Javan rhinos left, which are kept and reserved in Ujung Kulon National Park in
Indonesia (Jayasinghe, 2017). The Javan rhinoceros has a single horn on the snout that, “like all
rhinoceros horns, does not have a bony core but is composed of keratin fibres” (Wildscreen Arkive,
2017). This typical type of horn one of the reasons why Javan rhinoceros has decreased in numbers
because people hunt it for its horn and other body parts.

Javan rhinos are going extinct because of various reasons, which includes natural
catastrophes, diseases, poaching and potential inbreeding (Jayasinghe, 2017). Because of these
reasons, The population of Javan rhinos is decreasing and never increasing. The rate of Javan
rhinos’ inbreeding is very slow compared to other animals, which makes it difficult for its population to
increase. The solution for saving these endangered rhinos is taken care of by the Ujung Kulon
National Park. They utilize effective and highly-trained workers to protect, monitor, and distinguish
their life pattern in order to sustain a better habitat for the Javan rhinos. “Although their act of
reserving these rhinos has been very successful, protection in itself is not going to be enough to save
the Javan rhino from extinction.” (Jayasinghe, 2017)Therefore, a long term goal is needed to spread
out the population of the Javan rhinos. Arkive website states that “the Javan rhino has been legally
protected since 1931 and Ujung National Park was set aside for the conservation of this species”
(Wildscreen Arkive, 2017). WWF are currently trying to remove the “invasive Arenga palm tree”
because these trees are preventing other plants to grow by blocking the sunlight. These plants are
food for the rhinos and they will not reproduce without a suitable habitat. Lastly, the scientists are
trying to move some Javan rhinos to different places because of an active volcano in the current
location (Jayasinghe, 2016). This way, if the volcano erupts, not all the Javan rhino will die because
of volcano blasts or toxic fumes.

WWF supports habitat management in Ujung Kulon National Park. For the past 19 years, the
International Rhino Foundation gave money to Rhino Protection Units that have kept the Ujung Kulon
rhino population safe from extinction. RPUs immediately remove any traps discovered during patrols
and ask lots of questions about how to find the truth about illegal activity, including poaching, and
deforestation. RPUs have collected proof that helps make arrests of poachers. Javan Rhinos have
been studied in the conservation area of the Gunung Honje area, along Ujung Kulon eastern border.
This area provides more land for the population to increase, under more intense management and
protection. The continued survival of the Javan rhino depends on their population increasing in
numbers as quickly as possible, and in spreading the population. The area will eventually serve as a
'staging ground' from which changes to a second site can happen. However, some scientists also
think that it is too late to make these species into at least vulnerable. Also, they hired around 150
people to build an 8 km perimeter fence around the conservation area. Nine rhinos have come to this
area on their own and are using it as their habitat. This same group also removed 78 hectares of the
Arenga plant, which helped the food plants of the rhinos start growing again.

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The effectiveness of scientists have been in reversing the economic issue because people are
killing Javan rhinos and using their horns to make medicine and etc. This is an economical issue
because they sell these medicine made out of Javan rhinos’ horns around the world. Vietnam and
some other countries think that medicines made out of rhino horns are great for curing diseases.
They gain these information when they are in school in Vietnam, causing a major problem. Arkive
website also states that, “Javan rhinoceros has been largely attributed to hunting for its horn, and for
other body parts which are used in traditional Chinese medicine” (Wildscreen Arkive, 2017).

In conclusion, Javan rhinos are the most threatened of the five rhino species. Vietnam luckily
stopped poaching the Javan rhinos. The Javan rhino’s body is dusky grey color and has a single horn
of up to about 10 inches when they are fully adult. As aforementioned, they are critically endangered
because of natural catastrophes, diseases, poaching and potential inbreeding. Scientist are currently
focusing on the removal of Arenga palm that leaves the area barren of food for rhinos. It affects the
economy because people are using Javan rhinos’ horns to make medicine and sell them. Scientists
try to keep the rhinos safe from poaching the Javan rhinos into extinction.

Works Cited
"Javan Rhino." W​ WF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 18 May 2017.
"Javan Rhinoceros Videos, Photos and Facts." ​Arkive​. Web. 21 May 2017.
"Javan Rhino Conservation Program." ​International Rhino Foundation​. 12 Oct. 2016. Web. 21 May

2017.

© Stephen Belcher Photography All Rights Reserved

https://www.earthtouchnews.com/environmental-crime/illegal-trade/top-10-shocking-figures-of-the-illegal-rhino-horn-trade/

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Paloma Zurita
Grade 6 Blue
24 May 2017

How does human role help the endangered Mustela Nigripes survive?

Fig. 1. C​ lay Bolt . World wildlife Black-footed ferret. May 24 2017 .

What are 1.5-2.5 pounds, is 18-24 inches, is extremely adorable and it’s endangered?Did you guess?
It’s the Mustela Nigripes otherwise known as the Black-Footed Ferret.There are only 370 of this little
cute animals in the world today.This animal is endangered mostly because of human, diseases that
and habitat lost.Their main food, prairie dogs are also being affected by diseases and humans
making it more difficult for the Black-footed ferret to find food.These animals are considered rodents
so, people used to considered them as pests in the olden days.They killed them and poison them and
almost cause them to be extinct.The Black-footed ferret is endangered because of human killing
them, habitat loss and diseases. (“Black-footed Ferret”)
The Mustela Nigripes threats are no laughing matter. The threats that are causing these mammals to
be endangered are lost of habitat otherwise know as deforestation and deadly diseases. Humans
were a threat in 90’s. The US president helped and donated money to a poisoning campaign so they
would help get rid of these animals. They were thought to be extinct but a group of biologist found
18 ferrets that survived. They took them to a breeding program. Diseases such as canine distemper
and plague are a huge threat for these mammals since the disease can spread quickly and kill dozens
of the Mustela Nigripes and the Prairie Dogs. Threats can be sad but there is also some people that
are helping these animals. Their population went up like crazy but that wasn’t enough.
WWF is trying to fight the deadly diseases that are causing their population to go down. Plage is a
deadly disease that kills Prairie dogs and Black-footed ferrets. WWF came with medicine that might

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help these mammals to survive. They had a problem, these animals wouldn’t be attracted to this
medicine so instead, they covered them with peanut butter to make it more attractive and tasty. Yes,
peanut butter is apparently helping to save these cute adorable mammals. (“Black-footed ferret”)

Fig. 2 C​ onservation Media. World Wildlife Peanut butter give Black-footed ferret an boost. 24 May 2017.

Most of the things that people do to help this mammal work but some don’t. The idea of putting
peanut butter on the medicine for the Mustela Nigripes to eat it worked. Now they have a higher
chance for the ferrets to eat it and survive.People are also trying to breed them and help their
population numbers to go up but sometimes it doesn’t work and it also requires some money and
time. Breeding programs might also fail sometimes or the baby might have problems after birth.
Some programs might have trouble helping them breed making the whole progress fail. It also costs
money for the government to help these programs stay open and still be helping this animal.
Although some fail some are really successful. People not always fail at breeding them and most of
the time success. The medicine also sometimes workers with the mammal. Some might not eat the
medicine some might making some survive and some die. The Prairie dog is the 90% of the
Black-footed ferret’s diet so people help them by helping the Prairie dogs. The black-footed ferret can
now find food more easily. Black-footed ferret’s population might not always go up as quickly but we
can still help the ones in the wild to survive and stay healthy so they can help make the next
population. ("Black-footed Ferret Videos, Photos, and Facts.")

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Fig. 3 ©​ Steve Morello. World Wildlife Black-footed ferret. 24 May 2017

Black-footed ferrets make some positive impacts on our environment but people sometimes cause
negative impacts on them. Diseases and Posting these animals are some negative impacts that we
have created. Poisoning these animals has almost caused them to be extinct. People beliefs said that
the Prairie dog burrows where the Black-footed ferret take shelter on where thought to cause crops
not to grow as well if the barrows were not there. Some people saw them as pest and if you have
any pest problem, you call the exterminator. Disease believe or not we're actually caused by us.
People from Asia and Europe brought these diseases with them and cause the black-footed ferret’s
population to fall. These creatures help us to keep a balance on rodents Such as squirrels and
rats/mice. If we didn’t have this kind of animals we would have rodents everywhere. ("Black-footed
Ferret Videos, Photos, and Facts.")

There are only 300 Black-footed ferrets in the world today. The disease, poisoning, and habitat loss
are the main causes for this beautiful animal to be endangered. People are trying to help these
animals by giving them medicine to cure disease and by breeding them so their population goes up.
Some ideas fail but most succeed. Ferrets have a positive impact but people can make a negative
impact that affects these creatures. Ferrets can help keep a balance on rodents. Human’s negative
impact is to bring the disease from other countries that can affect ferrets and Prairie dogs. Poisoning
is another example of a negative impact we give. If we didn’t do anything if the scientist did nothing
we would be in a world without Black-Footed ferrets.

Works Cited

"Black-footed Ferret." W​ WF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 22 May 2017.

"Black-footed Ferret Videos, Photos and Facts." ​Arkive.​ Web. 22 May 2017.

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Christian Viljoen
Grade 6 blue

24th may 2017

What impact has the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle have on the
environment and what role has humans played in the conservation of this

animal?

The animal Hawksbill Turtle is endangered because of fig 1.Nils Akuan. World Wildlife Fund. 24 May
hunting,overfishing and loss of habitat,the scientific name
for it is Eretmochelys Imbricata. This animal has lived in
many tropical oceans like the pacific,atlantic and Indian
oceans also,the reason why the hawksbill Turtle have been
hunted is because they are hunted for there shells which is
commonly sold on markets and also when fishing,fishers
accidently kill the hawksbill Turtle because the hooks that
they use are sharp and pierce into the Turtle. (​"Hawksbill

Turtle.")
2017

Hawksbill Turtles are endangered for 2 main reasons. The first reason why they are endangered is
because it is hunted because it has a shell with a pattern of overlapping scales and people kill the
Turtles and use the shell to make tortoiseshell and people​ used it as an ornament,and even though
killing and trading turtle shells,it is still being done a lot. The second reason why the are killed is
because,fishers normally bycatch the Hawksbill turtle and since the turtle needs to come to the
surface of the water to breath,it drowns in the water killing it,and because these turtles live coral
reefs,it makes them an even bigger victim of this. To stop this from happening,WWF has been
working with fishers in different parts of the world to switch to more turtle friendly kinds of hooks.

One more reason why the Hawksbill turtle is
endangered is because of predators,they are
slowly dying in the coral reefs,and Because
they are dying,it is making the health of
Coral reefs go down because “H​ awksbills
help maintain the health of coral
reefs”(​ "​ Hawksbill Turtle.")​,and because of
that,they have had a decrease in food,to
stop this from happening,”WWF works
around the world to establish marine
protected areas (MPA) to ensure sea
turtles have a safe place to feed”.​("​ Hawksbill

Turtle.")
Fig 2. Jeff Rotman. World Wildlife Fund. 24th May 2017

To help save the hawksbill turtle,WWF has gone to fishers around the world to try and make fishers
switch to more turtle friendly hooks. Also WWF runs a competition around the world called smart
gear,this competition is about finding new ways to solve and stop bycatch,which has been killing

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many of the Hawksbill turtles. This works because competition is a good way to attract people and
also even if the other devices do not win,they can still be developed and used as well.
As well as that,WWF goes around the world to make marine protected areas,which keeps predators
away from the turtle,this means the can safely nest and also have access to food. WWF monitors
these areas carefully to ensure that the turtles are safe. This is helping the population of hawksbills
grow because it helps the baby turtles survive. WWF also works with communities to try and stop
turtle killing and turtle harvesting by making a law against doing it. This has not worked as much
because a lot of illegal trade was already happening,and also that law is not enforced as much.
Scientists have used satellites to track the turtles and see how they react to different areas and
where important feeding grounds are.
This animal is important to the environment because they maintain the health of coral reefs. To be
more specific, “H​ awksbills help maintain the health of coral reefs. As they remove prey such as
sponges from the reef's surface, they provide better access for reef fish to feed”​("​ Hawksbill Turtle.")​.
This means that because the hawksbill turtle is endangered,more and more reefs are dying because
the fish are not able to find and capture food,so if hawksbill turtles do become extinct,then the reefs
that rely on the turtle,will die along with the fish in the reef. This is how they will impact the
environment if they do become extinct.

This animal is endangered in tropical oceans because the shell of a Hawksbill turtle has an intricate
pattern on it that people kill them for to use a ornaments,also since turtles need to come the the
surface of the water to breath,fishers accidently hook onto the turtle while fishing and the turtles
drown underwater. Also since coral reefs depend on this turtle,so when they are killed,there is less
food for the turtles to eat. WWF holds a competition called smart gear that is about finding new ways
to solve bycatch,and the use all the ideas to stop it from happening.WWF also make protected areas
for the turtles so the the can nest and feed safely. The hawksbill turtle is important to the
environment because they help maintain the health of coral reefs. If people continue to kill the
hawksbill turtle,then it will become extinct soon,so please help them. (​822 words)

Hawksbill Turtle." ​WWF.​ World Wildlife Fund. Web. 22 May 2017.

23

Ashritha Tanaraj
Grade 6 Blue
24 May 2017

How did humans make the Green Turtles Critically Endangered?

In my essay, I will be writing about green turtles and why they are endangered animals. They can be
found in Mesoamerican Reef, Coastal East Africa, Gulf of California, The Galapagos and Coral
triangle. These animals are in danger because we humans catch them to kill, get their eggs to eat,
littering (plastic bottles), they could be caught in fishing gear also they can get caught in shrimp
trawl nets and loss of nesting at the beach sites.

Fig.1. Green Turtle. British Broadcasting Corporation Nature. 24 May 2017

Green turtles are endangered because humans keep on hunting the green turtles down, humans
keep on littering things like plastic and then the green turtles eat them and the green turtles also get
caught in fish and shrimp or any other fishing material and then the green turtles start struggle on
getting out of the fish or shrimp gear and breathe one’s last, they could also get stabbed by the
sharp ends of fishing hooks when fishermens are fishing. We could help by adopting a green turtle or
any kind of turtles and take great care of it. According to the science community (WWF), they will be
changing fishermens fishing hooks ends to the turtle friendly ones, that they made and so that the
green turtles won’t and can’t get stabbed. WWF also made marine protected areas for green turtles
all over the world, for the green turtles to keep out of danger and to keep them from getting caught
in fishing gear or shrimp gear that the fishermans could lose when they are fishing and the WWF is
also doing a satellite tracking of green turtles to make sure that they are safe.

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Fig.2. Green Turtle Products. World Wild Fund. 24 May 2017

According to “stthomassource.com” they say that they are doing much things to help the green
turtles not get endangered or extinct ever. They said that they have been documenting about green
turtles and at “May 15th 2017” they said that they have reached their 100th turtle and they started
this at fall in 2014 and they have reached their 100th turtle in “May 15th 2017” that’s like three years
and they have also recently reached their 100th one! They said that there were about 40-50 green
turtles at Brewers Bay and at Hawksbill cove, this estimation was previously researched by Dr.Jobsis
and Kemit Awon Lewis and almost three years later they were wrong but nothing could make them
happier because green turtles became more and more but now because of humans the green turtles
are getting less and less than before. They also said that they needed to find out where our turtles
are coming from because every week when the “UVI MARINE SCIENCE” group are out in the ocean
they find untagged green turtles. They said that Eanes the best known person for the naming at
Hawksbill Cove, he and his partner “Jobsis” always go there to documentate the green turtles and
what they do over at the Hawksbill Cove.

The Green Turtles matter a lot in our world today because they consume the seagrass in the oceans
to maintain the seagrass beds, so that they won’t get so long and to much that the oceans animals
can’t swim in it. Once the green turtle finishes eating the seagrass, the seagrass gets digested very
quickly and then after digested it becomes recycled nutrients for the ocean plants and animals to
use. Also, the green turtles don’t only do positive things they also could do bad things to our
environment like them eating algae. Algae is disgusting but it’s good for us humans, they grow from
sunlight, they absorb carbon dioxide and give out oxygen and Green Turtles eat them, so if they
keep eating them, there probably won’t be anymore of the algae.

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In conclusion, I think that the Green Turtle are endangered because of humans hurting them,
stealing their eggs, and the green turtles are getting stabbed by the fishing hooks of fishermen's.
Scientist are documenting about the green turtles and they are changing fishermen’s hooks to turtle
friendly ones. Green Turtles matter in our world because they consume the oceans seagrass for the
oceans animals to swim. Scientist makes a difference by changing the hooks of the fishermen’s and
documenting about the turtles. (715 words)

Bibliography
"Green Turtle." ​WWF.​ World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
Langenheim, Johnny. "Balinese Rituals Fuel Spike in Trafficking of Endangered Sea Turtles."

Conservation News.​ Article Published by Philip Jacobson on 2017-05-04., 04 May 2017. Web.
23 May 2017.

26

Alexandros Stravrothanasis

Grade 6 Blue
Wednesday, May, 24, 2017

What Role Has Man Played To Help The Balaenoptera Musculus

1. (Animal Introduction) The endangered animal that's quite large, rather loud and a deep blue color
and with that majestic name the BLUE WHALE! Or the boring scientific name is Balaenoptera
Musculus. Sadly endangered around 10000 to 25000 remains in the deep blue oceans. These are the
largest creature in the planet being 80-100 feet and close to 200 TONS! Yes it’s not a typo it is 200
TONS “Approximately 33 elephants” and its heart is big as 5 feet. "​ Blue Whale."

2. (Endangerment Reasons And Solutions) The reasons why blue whales are dying is because their
habitat is getting destroyed and the habitat for whales are getting smaller and they are running out
of a habitat to live in also they are losing their habitat is because of the deadly toxic in the water.
The next reason is that the blue whales are getting harmed by ship strike, the ships strikes into a
blue whale and damaging the blue what immensely or even getting killed. The third reason is
whaling, whaling is one of the bigger and larger reasons why blue whales are endangered by killing
the whales to get resources like for food, accessories, lipstick, oil etc. The final reason is because of
climate change, Climate change changes the climate and affects the environment where the whales
live that harms the whales. The solutions are to reduce whaling or completely banning it, reduce the
amount of toxic that goes into the ocean, protect the areas where the blue whales live, reduce the
amount of greenhouse gases getting released into the air to reduce the damage of climate change,
take out the trash in the ocean that could harm the blue whale in many ways and more. ​"Blue Whale."

3. (Results Of Scientist solutions) Many scientists are trying to stop the extinction of blue whales like
the wwf. The wwf helps by protecting the areas where whales go to, to stop people from killing blue
whales. Also according to arkive.org: “hunting of the blue whale was banned in 1966”, “O​ nly in the
last few years have there been signs that numbers may be increasing” looks for me that the results
look not bad the numbers look to be rising (which is a good thing) there is still hope for the blue
whales to survive. Hunting for whales is banned which also means whaling is banned! Which is also a
good thing! but there has only been signs of increase so we are not certain that the numbers
increased it might have decreased, if decreased it would be very hard to make the population grow
again because it’s already decreased like 90-80% of the entire population and it still might be
decreasing and that can lead to extinction FAST if this keeps on going on. Or it might be increasing
and might rise and if it is rising in a few years around 10-20% of the population would grow back but
to go over 80% well if it goes up at a slow pace it might take a few 100 years. ;-;

"Blue Whale."

4. (Focus On A Factor) The blue whales die because humans kill them for materials, food etc. The
blue whales have an impact on the environment by regulating the flow of food, maintains the food
chain by eating 40 million krill a day, ensures that no animal overpopulates by eating krill, Whales
poop helps the environment too by offsets carbon in the ocean atmosphere providing a healthier
environment. If the blue whales gets extinct the food chain in the ocean will be unbalanced and that
would affect the environment severely

"Blue Whale."

27

5. (Conclusion) The blue whale is a mammal that lives in the ocean and sadly is endangered. The
entire population of the blue whales has decreased around 80-90% only containing 10000-25000
remaining in the whole world. They are endangered because humans kill the blue whales for
materials, cosmetics, food etc. The scientists are trying to protect the blue whales by protecting the
places where the whales usually swim. The blue whales affects the environment in a way by cleaning
the environment and stabilizing the food chain. Science makes a difference in this issue by Removing
the toxic from the ocean.

fig. 1. Upload wizard, 24 may 2017

fig. 2. Travis Horton, blogspot, 24 may 2017

fig. 3. Hermanus, 24 may 2017

28

Christopher Ruoff
Grade 6 Blue

May 24th 2017

What Role Has Man Contributed to The Endangerment of The African Wild
Dog?

African wild dog​© W​ illiam Burrad-Lucas

I have chosen the African wild dog or Lycaon pictus because I love dogs and have a dog at my
house. According to WWF(World Wildlife Fund), the African wild dog is “One of the world's most
endangered mammals” ("African Wild Dog) The African wild dog is also called the spotted wild dog,
The painted hunting dog people also call them wild dogs and painted wolves.The African wild dog is
a very social mammal they hunt in packs and helps others in the pack when they are hurt, unlike
wolves who will leave a pack member if they cannot hunt. These animals are not understood by
farmers because the African wild dog has a reputation for killing livestock although this does not
happen very often. Their population is under 5000 (a-z animals: African wild dog)

The African Wild dog reputation for attacking livestock even though this happens very rarely, they
are attacked whenever they meet human also they are also incidents of road accidents, road
accidents could possibly be the most significant cause of mortality according to (WILD DOG
CONSERVATION MALAWI).Snaring also is a big part of African wild dogs dying even for the ones
living in the protected areas. African wild dogs are susceptible to diseases that happen in domestic
dogs these can be canine distemper and rabies.Wildlife managers also killed the African wild dog in
most parts of Africa until the later times of the 21st century because they thought that their way of
killing was cruel. According to African wild dog conservation malawi “Over 5000 wild dogs were shot
in zambodia alone over a period of 15 years.”Humans buildings expanding destroy the habitat for the
african wild dog.The final threat is other carnivores in the Savanna such as lions and spotted hyenas
these animals push the African wild dogs out of the protected areas this, however, is only a threat
because humans are tipping the balance with the other things. In conclusion, the African wild dog
is endangered because of humans and their selfish view of the world.

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African wild dog historic range compared to now(AWD conservancy)

The population of the African wild dog is estimated to be less than 5,000 Their our many efforts to
make this number go up but protected areas must be more than 10,000km to prevent contact with
humans and even the larger reserves cannot completely prevent contact with humans. A law was
passed that Wildlife managers cannot kill the african wild dog Also, the competition with other
animals like the spotted hyaenas are pushing the wild dogs. WWF(World wildlife fund) is working in
northern Mozambique and In southern Tanzania to make a reserve large enough to contain the
African wild dog and protect them from humans(WWF: African Wild Dog) but this is still under way
also World Wildlife Funds website you can buy a Wild dog plushie to support it. People are also
teaching local farmers that African wild dogs are not cruel animals and how to protect them. Right
now at this point of time, no one can be sure if the projects will work well or not because these
projects are still under way. But there are still lots of opportunities to save the African wild dog. This,
however, could change if the right actions aren't taken

The factor I have chosen to focus on is social. The African wild dog conserves project is teaching
local people in Kenya about the African wild dog. This is because Kenya had a past civil strife they
did not think about the animals around them. They are also creating education programs so that
people get taught after the project is done(African wild dog conservancy) The African wild dog
conservancy has interviewed 150 people about what they think. The majority of the people said that
they did not think that predators like the African wild dogs are not important but do not want them
extinct. But over half the people had their attitude for the many predators were negative because of
concern for their livestock although they also said that they would not kill them unless very
threatened. The ecosystem balance was largely unknown and over half the locals did not know that
an animal could go extinct. The African wild dog is, however, an animal that lives with them.

The African wild dog is a not well-known animal and is not shown on the news close to enough. The
African wild dogs biggest threat is humans this is only tipped more with animal competition and
disease.If humans continue at the pace they are threatening the African wild dog then we may see
them come to a stop. This is why we need to take action. This is why poachers must stop with their
snares. In fact, the scientists have proven that this is possible.The African wild dogs biggest threat is
habitat loss this creating many other threats like roadkill (834)

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Works Cited
"African Wild Dog." W​ WF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
African Wild Dog Conservancy, AWD Conservancy, Robert Robbins, Kim McCreery,

Http://www.awdconservancy.org/, [email protected]. A​ frican Wild Dog Community
Project.​ Web. 23 May 2017.
"African Wild Dog Conservation Malawi." A​ frican Wild Dog Conservation Malawi.​ Web. 23 May 2017.
"African Wild Dog Videos, Photos and Facts." ​Arkive.​ Web. 23 May 2017.
Animals, A-Z. "African Wild Dog." A​ -Z Animals - Animal Facts, Pictures and Resources.​ Web. 23 May
2017.

31

Phil Pibernat Park
Grade 6 Blue

May 24th 2017

How Does Politics Effect the Hector’s Dolphin?

The Hector’s Dolphin is one of the most endangered dolphins in the world. Their scientific name is
Cephalorhynchus hectori. Their habitat is in New Zealand in
the ocean. Sadly only 7000 of them are swimming in this
world. There is a species of Hector Dolphin called the Maui’s
Dolphin The Maui’s dolphin population is about 55. The
reason why Hector’s dolphin is dying is that the pollution
makes them sick plus, they get stuck in nets that are meant
for fish, they get stuck because they can’t detect these
nets. (Hector’s Dolphin, WWF)

Figure 1 Ingrid.N.Visser. Arkive. 24 May 2017

There are a couple reasons why these dolphins are dying out. The main reason is that they are

tangled up by gillnets. These nets are really thin and made out of very fine metal. This is one of the

reason that these dolphins can’t detect them or see them, because they are very thin. They live near

the shore which makes them really dangerous because boats can hit them, they might get stranded

or they can get harmed by humans. (Hector’s Dolphin, Arkive)When the are struck by boats they are

really hurt because the bottom is really sharp and heavy. Another reason is that the water pollution

affects their skin. Another major

reason is the seabed mining. When

they drill underground a little bit of oil

might leak and that might affect their

habitat in a negative way. The thing

is also people see that these dolphins

are stuck in the nets and they don’t

care most of the time. Also the pipes

that go through to the sea also

affects them majorly since waste is

disposed out of the vessels. Obviously

these are all unintentional but they

are dying really fast this way. The

most Hector dolphins deaths are from

gillnets(Hector’s Dolphin.) Figure 2 Stephen Dawson. World Wide Fund .24 May 2017

There are a couple of solutions that scientists and organizations made up. The department of
conservation effectively banned gillnetting 4 nautical miles of the shore so that Hector’s dolphin and
any other endangered animals don’t get tangled up in those nets. It is officially banned to gillnet in
the part if new zealand where there are maui’s dolphin. This dolphin is a kind of hector's dolphin
there are less than 55 alive today. Soon this dolphin will die out. This policy saved a lot of dolphins
lives. Not only Hector’s dolphin but any dolphin. In 1973 there were 144000 dolphin deaths only from
gillnets. But this policy was so effective that in 1993 it was reduced to a tiny 3605 deaths.

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This was the action of the marine mammal protection act. Right now WWF is trying to persuade the
New Zealand prime minister that they ban dangerous fishing gear to prevent furthermore hector’s
dolphin deaths. The New Zealand Marine Mammals Protection Act made it Illegal to kill hector’s
dolphin in New Zealand. These laws and efforts to prevent deaths of Hector’s dolphin are really
helpful, if this keeps on going on these mammals might be able to reproduce enough for them not to
become extinct(.
A factor that affects Hector’s Dolphin is the political factor. The Hector Dolphin is affected positively
since there are laws that protect them from being killed or even become extinct. There are more
than 1 law to enforce them. The most effective rule is obviously to not deliberately kill a Hector’s
Dolphin. There are other effective laws as well. The second most effective law is the law not to plant
gillnets 4 nautical miles near the shore, since the most death factor is from gillnets and they get
stuck in the gillnet. Without these laws there would be far less Hector’s dolphins than there is today.
(Wagner Dolphins and Porpoises p21.)
The Hector’s Dolphin is slowly dieing out. They are endangered because people are killing them
faster than they can reproduce. Scientists are trying to make laws to ban gillnetting even further
than 4 nautical miles because these dolphins are swimming away really far, up to 20 nautical miles.
These dolphins are very close to getting extinct. Science might help these dolphins reproduce faster
than natural. This means that they are going to die out. If they die out we will never see them again.
If we don’t take action soon we really won’t see them again. (714 Words)

Works Cited
Brust, Beth Wagner. ​Zoobooks Dolphins and Porpoises.​ USA: Kenneth Kitson. Print.
"Exclusive: Hector's Dolphin Population 'double' Previous Estimates." ​1 NEWS NOW​. Web. 21 May

2017.
"Hector's Dolphin." W​ WF.​ World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.
"Hector's Dolphin Videos, Photos and Facts." A​ rkive​. Web. 21 May 2017.

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K​ anta Mitsutani

Grade 6 Blue
24 May 2017

How does the human environment affect the endangered Red Panda?

For my essay, I have chosen the red panda as my endangered animal. This is also called Ailurus
Fulgens, I have chosen this animal because I thought there is a lot left but sadly there is only 10,000
left in this whole wide world. I got this information from WWF. 50 % of Red Panda lives in Forest
Habitat but people are making their habitat clear so the number of Red Panda are getting smaller,
also people use Red panda’s tail for wearing like
in winter so they sell Red Panda.

Red Panda is about endangered animals because

people hunting them or catch them for directive

pelt in China and Myanmar. They also fur cops

or hats have been in Bhutan for sales, hats

made from the lustrous fur are still desired in

Yunnan in China for newlyweds, as it

traditionally symbolises a happy marriage, they

often get killed by an accidents when people try

to caught in trap for other animals such as wild

pig or deer. Almost 50 percent of the red

panda’s habitat is in the Eastern Himalayas. D​ avid Lawson. World Wide Foundation. 24 May 2017

The loss of nesting trees and bamboo is causing a decline in red panda populations across much of

their range because their forest home is being cleared. In China have undergone a decline of around

40% over the 50 years. Scientist and government people are trying to protect or make the number

of red pandas more. One of the ideas is people are trying to protect red pandas in all the country but

except Myanmar and these are listed in the appendix. In the worldwide, there are more than 30 zoos

that are trying to bred red pandas, one of the big issues that are why red pandas are dying, I think

because their habitat in eastern Himalaya are being cleared so they have nowhere to live or they

accidentally connected.

In the world, people are trying to protect red panda because there are only a few left in the world.
All the country in the world is trying to protect red panda but except in Myanmar, and these things
are listed in the appendix, on Convention International Trades in Endangered Species.(CITES) I think
these will help to keep red panda safe and the number of red pandas might be more. Also In China
there are many of the reserves were established to protect giant panda, In China also giant panda is
endangered animals and I think only China has giant panda so they have to keep them alive. Red
pandas are bred in more than 30 zoos in the worldwide, I think people or government should make
more of those zoos but this helping is going well for make number of red panda more. In north
America alone the captive population was 182 in 2001. These people are entertained and managed
to keep same under the Species Survival Plant, these are going good so it helps red panda or any
endangered animals a lot.

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WWF monitors red pandas and their habitat across India, Nepal, and Bhutan to better understand
the species. In 2011, our work helped the government in the Indian state of Sikkim declare that the
state held an estimated 300 red pandas. WWF made rules that if any person found guilty of killing,
buying or selling Red Pandas faces a fine of up to $1000 and/or 10 years in the jail so people might
stop hunting or selling red pandas.
I have chosen environmental factors because it also could be economic but I think environmental is
more important to know. In Asia, number of people are getting more so they cutting off red panda’s
habitat trees for make place to live for people, buy that has 3 negative things, one is red panda’s
habitat are getting small but also their food are getting small, 3rd is we lose our trees so we also lose
our clean oxygen because tree are getting less and less but humans are getting more and more.
My chosen animals are the red panda. Sadly they are only 10000 individual left in this whole wide
world.They are endangered because their habitat which is Asia Himalaya is cleared up for us and also
they are killed for making hats or cloth for us. Scientists are making places that red pandas can be
born and grows. This impact to the environment because people kill their habitat to make the place
that we can live but that also means we have fewer oxygens to breath. Scientists are making the
change that number of red pandas more.
. (777)

Simon de TREY-WHITE. World WIde Foundation. 24 May 2017

Works Cited
Edwards, Alyssa. "Red Pandas and the Effects Humans Have Had On Them." P​ rezi.com.​ 04 Nov.

2014. Web. 23 May 2017.
"Human Influence." T​ he Red Panda - Home.​ Web. 23 May 2017.
"Red Panda." ​WWF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 23 May 2017.
"Red Panda Videos, Photos and Facts." ​Arkive.​ Web. 23 May 2017.

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Brooke McAnulty
Grade 6 Blue
May 24 2017

What are the Human Roles of Impacts on Endangered Snow Leopards?

 

 

Harvey, Martin. World Wildlife Fund. 24 May 2017  
 

“Snow leopards are found in 1​ ​2 countries including, China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, 
Russia, and Mongolia, but their population is dropping.” Snow leopards, also known as the P​ anthera uncia​, are 
endangered because of local farmers taking the main source of food to keep them alive, sheep and goats. 
Since, the farmers are doing this, the estimated amount left is 4,080-6,590. To add on, 30% of the snow 
leopard's threat is climate change. Climate change affects their snowy habitat with it melting in the mountains 
of the Himalayas. ("Snow Leopard.") 

 
Again, the snow leopards are endangered because of the farmers taking the food which keeps them 
alive. Also, the effects of climate change slowly melting away their habitat, later on slowly “melts” away 30% of 
the snow leopards. ("Snow Leopard.") “WWF understands there are extraordinary opportunities for 
conservation to help local people and wildlife live and prosper together. In the Eastern Himalayas, WWF 
works with local communities to monitor snow leopards and reduce the killing of them through innovative 
local insurance plans. WWF also works with goat herders in Mongolia to build awareness about the plight of 
the snow leopard and reduce the killing of snow leopards as retaliation for killing livestock. Through the Land 
of Snow Project, WWF aims to secure key   areas of snow leopard habitat in Mongolia.” (Snow Leopard.") 
According to             “Bigcatrescue.org” under government rules it is illegal to hunt snow leopards. Also, 
some people are selling stuffed animals of endangered animals and other “souvenirs”, if you will, to tell people 
that the snow leopards are endangered. In the end, some people send in money to help the snow leopards. 
(“SAVE THE SNOW LEOPARD FROM EXTINCTION”)  
 
There is no scientist specifically named but “National Wildlife Federation” went over what some 
different people are doing. The first one is, defending snow leopards in the habitat with them. For example, 
like what “WWF” did was talk to the farmers and tell them what they ​  a​ re doing. That is kind of what they 
were doing. Secondly, protecting and restoring their habitats. Furthermore, adding more snow because of the 
climate change and putting more of their natural main source of foods and even add some water sources. 
Thirdly, providing food and water.  

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Like I said before, restoring the food sources the snow leopards eat on the mountains and also 
restoring water to drink. (What We Do to Protect Endangered Species) Lastly, letting the government know. 
According to “Force Change.com” a man or woman wrote a letter to the US saying how much snow leopards 
are left and all the tiny details that was told in the passages above and even in this one. In the letter it even 
said, “Asian traditional medicine depends upon the pelts, bones and organs of snow leopards to sustain the 
illusion of medicinal value that these traditions claim. Increased wealth and prosperity throughout Asia are 
launching many out of poverty in addition to affording more people increased access to fulfilling their out of 
touch medicinal values, further endangering the snow leopard population.” (Amland, Save Snow Leopards 
from Extinction) 

 

 

 Map of snow leopard range. Snow Leopard Conservancy. 24 May 2017 
 

The factor of the snow leopards is economic because people kill the snow leopards for the fur to sell 
to make money. 55% of the killings of the snow leopards, with 21​ ​% of illegal trade of the pelt to sell to get the 
effect of making money. Illegal trade of the skin seems to be increasing in China. China, with 60% of the snow 
leopards live also with the main markets to sell and get even more money of the innocent animal fur. Linxia in 
China, 60 pelts were found in 2007, while on the other hand in 20​11 ​ only 1​ ​ was found, possibly of decreasing 
demand. (Coghlan) With the problems of 5 endangered issues, economic is only 1​ ​ of the 5.  

In summary, snow leopards are amazing creatures and do not deserve to be hunted and killed. The 5 
reasons of why they are getting killed is illegal trade, climate change, farmers, hunted for organs and killed for 
fuzzy precious fur. There are some things you can do to help the snow leopards from being extinct, raise 
money and donate and let other people know. Other people have been restoring their habitats and putting 
back their main source of nutrition and water. Even for climate change people have been placing snow back to 
keep it cozy and cool up in the mountains. (750 words) 

Works Cited
"Amur Leopards." ​WWF.​ Web. 23 May 2017.
"Hundreds of Endangered Wild Snow Leopards Are Killed Each Year." N​ ew Scientist.​ Web. 23 May 2017.
Nwf. "What We Do to Protect Endangered Species." N​ ational Wildlife Federation.​ Web. 23 May 2017.
"Save Snow Leopards From Extinction." F​ orceChange.​ Web. 23 May 2017.
"Snow Leopard." ​WWF​. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 09 May 2017.

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