For the curious, the mystery bird I told you about last week was the American Widgeon. Thank you L.D.
Everyday
we hear stories about the influence our species have on this earth, ranging
from the sad, sad story of Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island
Tortoise who died in 2012, rendering the species extinct, or the Passenger
Pigeon who met extinction in 1914. Both of these creatures were hunted out of
existence by over exuberant people. They joined the likes of the Great Auk (a
penguin-like bird), the Steller’s Sea Cow, and the famous Dodo Bird, the
poster-creature for extinct animals. These are all animals that we will never
see because of a few who just kept shooting because they figured there would always
be plenty more. Yet, in spite of our record in this area, we never seem to
learn. The tiger, the Mountain Gorilla and many others are careening toward a
similar fate. Very recently, the Western Black Rhino was declared extinct, and
yet another species no longer wanders the earth.
It’s
kind of scary and intimidating to think we have the power to wreak such
dreadful power over the creatures of the earth. That we could create such
irreversible change.
What we
don’t often consider is this: If we, collectively, have the power to do such
awful things, we have the ability to turn ourselves around and do equally
amazing and wonderful and beautiful things.
This
week brought about an example of just such a beautiful thing. It’s enough to
make you beam.
The
majestic and incredible Humpback Whale has been very happily removed from the
endangered species list! Well, almost. The proposal being made is that the
whales can be divided into 14 separate populations, and of these, 10
populations can be declared “Not at Risk”! Two are at risk and two are still
endangered, and we still need to take that very seriously, but bringing some
70% of the world’s humpbacks to safety is no small accomplishment! Some
conservationists are saying it’s too soon to take them off the endangered
species list, and, of course, we should never stop being protective and
respectful of our planet-mates, but still, we can smile.
Here
are some more animals to make us smile.
·
Among the most famous is the American Bison. Said to have once
roamed North America in such numbers that it took days for one herd to cross a
river, these animals were nearly destroyed through over-hunting and politics.
Today, the remaining herds live in protected parklands under the protection of
law.
·
The Gray
Whale was hunted into near-oblivion as early as the 1850s. It took until
the 1930s for them to receive partial protection and the 1940s, nearly a
century after their plight was first documented, for them to receive full
protection. It is predicted the whale’s current population is nearly equal to its
pre-1850s state.
·
The Gray
Wolf, that beautiful, mysterious steely eyed animal that we’re accustomed
to seeing crying out to the bright, clear moon, came mighty close to being
silenced. And once again, the culprit was hunting. Today, thanks to firm
conservation laws and an effort to introduce the wolves into a variety of
parks, these creatures are once again wandering a number of different woods.
·
The American
Alligator was nearly lost because so many people desired its hide.
Conservation programs and laws have brought back the ‘gator, but he remains
threatened just because he bears a resemblance to the American Crocodile, who
remains endangered.
·
The Peregrine
Falcon was nearly destroyed in the middle of the 1900s by pesticides. They
were eating smaller birds, which were eating insects and seeds infected by the
poison, bringing home the true interdependent nature of the world of Mother
Nature. The poisons have been banned, captive breeding programs were initiated,
and the Falcons haven’t been on the Endangered Species list since the 1990s.
So, it can be easy to get blue
whenever we hear of yet another species being bashed, battered and poisoned to
an unbearable pitch. But when you do, think of these stories and remember,
there is always someone, somewhere who is working hard to protect Mother
Nature.
Photo by Whit Welles Wwelles14
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