DUGOING THE SEACOW OF THE OCEAN

 

• STATUS : Vulnerable

• SCIENTIFIC NAME : Dugong dugon

• WEIGHT : over 800 pounds

• LENGTH : nearly 10 feet

• HABITATS : Oceans

• POPULATION: 30,000.

Description: Dugongs are cousins of manatees and share a similar plump appearance, but have a dolphin fluke-like tail. And unlike manatees, which use freshwater areas, the dugong is strictly a marine mammal. Commonly known as "sea cows."

Habitat and range: Dugongs are usually located on sea grasses in shallow coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

Role in the ecosystem : Dugongs play an essential function in retaining coastal ecosystems. Their consistent shopping of seagrass encourages regrowth - making sure integral habitat and feeding websites for a host of different marine species, consisting of turtles, dolphins and sawfish.

The reason of decline : Dugongs are threatened through sea grass habitat loss or degradation due to the fact of coastal improvement or industrial things to do that reason water pollution. If there is now not adequate sea grass to consume then the dugong does now not breed normally. This makes the conservation of their shallow water marine habitat very important. They additionally frequently grow to be victims of bycatch, the unintended entanglement in fishing nets.

why we should care ?: If dugongs come to be extinct, the have an effect on will no longer be constrained purely to the truth that future generations will no longer get to see the marine mammal — their absence will nearly actually have an affect on the availability of sea fish, the staple weight loss program of hundreds of thousands of humans throughout the world.

Current conservation efforts : Biodiversity Education and Research (BEAR), a close by non-governmental organization, works on elevating cognizance and admire for dugongs in northwestern Sri Lanka. It has been local communities about that value of seagrass and dugongs for fisheries manufacturing and eco-tourism.

The study of geography aids: One of the methods I found interesting was the Toolkit that will exhibit you which methods are the most fine and environment friendly for your crew capacity, finances and timeline .

How you can help !

Protect Habitat: Avoid negative seagrass an do not drag boats over seagrass meadows.

Take motion to stop pollutants, vitamins and herbicides from agriculture and different land-based

things to do flowing into creeks and rivers.

Boatin: Look out for dugongs, specifically if you be aware of the location is shallow or includes seagrass.

If you see a dugong decrease your speed.

Reporting : Immediately file any injured or lifeless dugongs, turtles or dolphins through telephone on

1300 Animal (1300 264 625).

Spread Awareness : Post on your social media, tell your friends, and family. Letting everyone know helps

people become more cautious .

Educate yourself : Education yourself  and others on the issue which helps with donations and activist work. 

Sources :

http://www.conservation.tools/about-the-toolkit/

https://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/the-reef/animals/dugong

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/dugong

The Critically Endanger Species : Saola

 

• POPULATION : Unknown

• SCIENTIFIC NAME : Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

• HEIGHT : Average 33 inches at the shoulder

• WEIGHT: 176-220 lbs

• HABITATS: Evergreen forests with little or no dry season

Description: The Saola was first found in 1992 all through a joint survey completed through the Ministry of Forestry of Vietnam and WWF in north-principal Vietnam. The institution was intrigue with the uncommon lengthy skull , straight horns in a hunter's home and knew it was unique.

Saola  are recognized with the aid of two parallel horns with sharp ends, that can reach 20 inches in duration and are observed on each women and men. meaning “spindle horns” in Vietnamese, they're a cousin of cattles. Saola have placing white markings on the face and big maxillary glands on the muzzle.

Cause of decline : Saola is threatened in most cases by searching, as opposed to habitat loss. less than 30 years later the Saola populace is believed to have declined hugely because of commercial flora and fauna poaching, which has exploded in Vietnam due to the fact that 1994

Importance and why we should care happen: Now not a whole lot is understood approximately the function Saola play in the surroundings. considering there are few Saola, they in all likelihood don't greatly impact the surrounding plant life. However, they do enables mentor and teach country wide conservation leaders and biologists in Vietnam and Laos to ensure that the Annamites could have guardians to guard its species for generations to come back.

Current conservation efforts : To stop Saola from extinction, we have to rescue surviving people and provide a protected habitat for them. The final Saola must be discovered, caught and transferred to captive breeding facilities located inside the range international locations. the first facility is presently being constructed in Vietnam.

Here's how you can help :

- Spread Awareness : Not a lot of people know about this extraordinary animal so posting it on social media, letting friends and family know will make a huge difference for donations and advocating.

- Supporting facilities : we must rescue surviving people and provide a covered habitat for them.

  - Joining the WWF action team: https://support.worldwildlife.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=can_home&s_src=web_HYCH&_ga=2.223481115.1441229481.1653584922-1462811460.1653236887

is an international non-governmental employer that works and advocates in the field of desert preservation and the reduction of human effect at the environment. WWF's paintings to support the Saola focuses on strengthening and establishing protected areas. They are additionally paintings on research, network based woodland control, capacity constructing and strengthening law enforcement.

- Educating yourself and others : There's a great book that provides great information on this animal. It emphasis the problems Saola are facing. Its called " The Saola’s Battle for Survival on the Ho Chi Minh Trail". https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/the-saola-s-battle-for-survival-on-the-ho-chi-minh-trail

- Donating to Saola Campaign: There's campaign called the Save the Saola that do activist work for the Saola. It also keep up to ongoing news.

https://www.savethesaola.org/

For more information 

Help us save the African Wild Dogs

 

Common Name: African Wild Dogs

Scientific Name: Lycaon Pictus 

Type: Mammal 

Average Life Span: up to 11 years

SIZE: 29.5 to 43 inches

WEIGHT: 39.5 to 79 pounds

Description : The African wild dog is acknowledged by using many names, inclusive of Cape searching dog or painted dog. Its clinical name, Lycaon pictus, potential “painted wolf,” relating to the animal's abnormal, mottled coat, which elements patches of purple, black, brown, white, and yellow fur. each animal has its non-public special coat pattern, and all have big, rounded ears.
Species habitat and range: in recent times, African wild dogs generally roam the open plains and sparse woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Their largest populations can be located in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

Species role: Wild dogs might also help alter prey species that in turn play a characteristic in shaping flora corporations. Securing a future for wild puppies, therefore, is an essential element in stemming the lack of biodiversity and retaining a wholesome surroundings.

Cause of decline: unfortunately, African wild dogs are often hunted and killed with the aid of farmers who fear for their livestock. they may be also threatened with the aid of shrinking place to roam in their African domestic in addition to their susceptibility to illnesses like rabies and canine distemper. the global Union for Conservation of Nature reviews that the population stage of African wild puppies fluctuates however is in a probable irreversible decline, this is why it considers this species to be endangered.

Why should you care? The importance of this animal is if it becomes extinct, the meals chain will die and they may all die. Like maximum predators it plays a position that gets rid of sick and weak animals of their environment. They assist hold the surroundings in balance.

Current conservation efforts: African wild dogs are the diverse many species that enjoy the advent of included vegetation and fauna corridors that help be part of their increasingly fragmented habitats. Conservation corporations are also walking on tasks that lessen conflict among human beings and African wild dogs. those encompass awareness initiatives that dispel myths approximately the animals as well as educational initiations that offer farmers education in cattle control techniques that save you depredation.

How do scientist measure how far African Wild Dogs travel ? Radio Collars. Scientist use the radio collar to track their distance, monitoring their behavior and social movement , and learning about their ecology and population structures.

How can you help ?

1) Adopt an African Dog

African dogs are currently facing threats posed by habit losses and diseases from non native species. By buying an African Wild Dog, you help provided resource that help them survive. There's a range of prices with different kits at

https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/African-Wild-Dog.aspx?sc=AWY1705OQ18316A01275RX&_ga=2.28503993.466327357.1653236888-1462811460.1653236887

2) Join an advocate group like WWF. 

WWF has been protective the future of nature. WWF works in nearly 100 countries and is supported with the aid of 1.three million contributors in the USA and greater than five million individuals globally.

3) Spread awareness !

Educating other people about this issue comes a long way . 

4) Donating to the Endangered Wildlife Trust 

Your donation goes to the charges that are concerned in darting, collaring and tracking Wild dogs.

https://www.givengain.com/cc/ewtsavewilddogs/#:~:text=You%20can%20help%20protect%20African,collaring%20and%20tracking%20Wild%20Dogs.

5) Mitigate human-wildlife conflict

Fun fact video about the African Wild Dogs 

Introduction

 Hi everyone ! 

My name is Stephanie Rivera.  I am a third year at the University of Cincinnati. I am a double major in International Affairs and Journalism with a minor in Latinx studies. From a young age, my father always had different animals in our home such as varies of reptiles and fish. We never just had a dog or cat but we have had a boa casually in our living room. It sparked my interest and love for animals. I wanted to be a zoologist growing up but after taking my first chemistry class and realizing chemistry was heavily involved , my mind shifted. Although things went differently , I still am passionate about animals and the wildlife that I enjoy learning about it and will do my part as a human to preserve it and pass my knowledge to others. For plants, I don't know much about them but I always wanted to have some in my home so I am excited to learn more !