Jeopardized

"Hairy Nose Wombat"

These are a few more digital drawings and paintings of animal species on the verge of extinction, at least in the wild. All of these animals exist in tiny numbers in the wild and in zoos around the world. The cute little fellow in the first painting is a native of Australia, the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat, which lives in only one tiny area and comprises perhaps 250 individuals. This particular species is one of only three, all Australian. They may be cute and even cuddly but regardless, the loss of any species results in a significant change in the ecology, often damaging. It seems quite likely that this particular species will vanish very soon, but perhaps there is hope. Fifteen years ago or so estimates were half that number.

"Amur Tiger"

The Amur Tiger used to be known as the Siberian Tiger and unlike it's cousins in India it lives in Russia, North Korea, and China. These are the largest cats in the world, reaching as much as 650 pounds and 10 or 11 feet in length, nose to tail. Like all endangered species their biggest threat is humans because of habitat loss and hunting. There may be about 500 of these animals remaining. As the climate in their northern habitat rises and humans continue to encroach, these tigers are going to be under severe pressure.

"Northern White Rhinosceros (female)"

Many are familiar with the plight of the northern white rhinoceros. So far as I know there are only two remaining, both female. The last male died several years ago. It may still be possible to revivie the species with artificial means, but the odds seem small. There are actually two species of rhinos, the black rhino and the white. One of the main, easily-seen differences is the white rhinoceros has a squared-off lip while the lip of the black rhino comes to a central pointed tip. The southern white rhinoceros is the most numerous--numbering maybe 20,000. One of the most serious threats has been hunting these animals for their horn, which is sold in certain parts of the world in powdered form as an aphrodisiac, though it is in fact worthless for that. These animals have mostly rebounded form serious depletion in the 20th century, but poaching and habitat loss due to climate alterations and mankind remain problematic. 

"Orangutans"

The final species in today's group of endangered species is the orangutan. There are actually three species of orangutan, and although estimates of their numbers vary, all are considered critically endangered. Orangutans reproduce infrequently--every 6 or 8 years. Besides their low reproductivity their forest habitat is shrinking in Indonesia and Malaysia, their principal range. Highly intelligent, tool-using, and wise-appearing, these "old beings of the forest" seem very likely to disappear within the near future, and all they can do is watch and wait.

The continued shrinkage of habitat, killing by humans (intentional or accidental), the change in climate and the enormous destruction of world ecology should make every one of us afraid. Moreover, will climate change ever be considered and emergency?