Endangered Species

Galapagos Tortoise The Galapagos tortoise is the largest living tortoise. It can weigh over 500 pounds and measure 6 feet from head to tail. It is estimated only 9,000 to 10,000 tortoises survive on the Galapagos archipelago. The Galapagos tortoise is a herbivore feeding on grasses, vines, cactus fruit, and other vegetation. The Galapagos tortoise only lays between 2 and 16 eggs. These eggs are laid in a hole dug by the mother and the eggs hatch 4-8 months later. It takes the baby tortoises one month to dig out of the nest.

Bonobo Bonobos are considered the most intelligent of the primates (outside of humans). Some scientist say this is because, genetically, bonobos are considered humans closest living relatives. Bonobos have been taught how to communicate with humans by using symbols that represent words on a board. Bonobos are considered the most endangered of the great apes. Habitat encroachment and the sale of apes for food and the pet trade are key reasons for the bonobos decline

Mhorr's Gazelle The Mhorr's gazelles are the largest of all true gazelles, and used to exist in the area of southern Morocco known as Western Sahara where they resided in the desert and arid regions including open, dry landscapes. In the wild, Mhorr's gazelles ate grasses, herbs and dry, bushy, woody plants. Due to severe over- hunting and loss of habitat, Mhorr's gazelles are extinct in the wild and found only in zoos.

Western Lowland Gorilla Western lowland gorillas are found in the tropical forests of western Africa, from southern Nigeria to the Congo River. They can grow to 6 feet tall when standing and can weigh up to 450 pounds. A group will normally consist of one adult silverback gorilla, several unrelated females, and immature gorillas. The silverback regulates the schedule of its group The decline in gorilla numbers is mainly attributed to the loss and degradation of their forest habitat and the trade in bushmeat.

Bactrian Camel The wild Bactrian (two- humped) camel is adapted to arid plains and hills where water sources are few and vegetation is sparse. Shrubs constitute its main source of food. The animals tend to concentrate in and around mountains, because most springs are there and snow on the slopes may provide the only moisture in winter. Concentrations of up to 100 camels occur near the mountains, but most herds contain members.

Bornean Sun Bear The sun bear is the smallest of the world's eight bear species. The one species found in Borneo are the smallest in the world. The Bornean sun bears are powerfully built, omnivorous mammals with a short tail and good sense of smell, but poor sight and hearing. The sun bear builds nests of small branches in tall trees for sleeping. It's diet includes entire bees' nests, termites, small animals, fruits and the "heart" of coconut palms. It's jaws even open coconuts.

Indian Gharial The Indian Gharial is considered to be one of the most critically threatened of all crocodilians. They have extremely slender snouts that are used for catching fish. Adult males grow a bulbous nasal appendage that has several functions attributed to it: a vocal resonator (which produces a loud buzzing noise during vocalization), a visual stimulus to females, and the production of bubbles associated with sexual behavior.

Javan Bantang The world population of banteng is possibly fewer than 5,000 animals. The population trend on the Asian mainland is downward due to hunting and the trade in wild animal parts, especially horns. The most important threats to banteng are hunting, habitat loss, and the degradation of the species remaining habitat. Interbreeding with domestic and feral cattle also threatens the genetic integrity of the remaining wild banteng.

Komodo Dragon Komodo dragons can grow to a length of 10 feet, with an average length of 8 feet, and weight of 200 lbs. The Komodo is fast moving and agile, can climb trees and are good swimmers. It is estimated there are only 3,000 to 5,000 Komodo dragons remaining. The largest threat to the Komodo dragon is volcanic activity because of fire and subsequent loss of its prey base. Habitat encroachment and poaching of prey species and tourism may also threaten their survival.

Lowland Anoa Anoas are thought to be mostly solitary mammals that spend most of their time in shady forests and they are most active in the morning and afternoon. Anoas feed during the morning, resting in shade through the hottest parts of the day. They frequently wallow in mud and water. The Anoa is endangered and fully protected under Indonesian law. However there is concern that this is not enforced well enough, as hunting continues even inside protected reserves.

Giant Panda It is estimated that there are somewhere around 700 and 1,000 giant pandas still alive in the wild. Their range is restricted to 6 separate mountain ranges in western China, on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau. The Panda was believed to have magical powers that could ward off natural disasters. Habitat loss is the greatest cause of the decline of the giant panda. Large areas of China's forest have been cleared for agriculture, timber and firewood to meet the demand of it's growing population.

Parma Wallaby Parma wallabies can be found in rainforests and dry forests with thick undergrowth and grassy areas in New South Wales, which is in the south east corner of Australia and on Kawau Island near Auckland, New Zealand. Wallabies, like other kangaroos, are frequently hunted and killed by ranchers, on the premise that they compete with sheep and cattle for food. Some markets also exist for hides and fur. The Parma wallaby is the most endangered wallaby.