15 Endangered Species You Should Know About

The world is changing at a very quick speed. Overpopulation, deforestation, political strife, wildfires, dwindling sources of freshwater, and climate change are some of the many reasons behind this change. Even though scientists estimate that there could be more than 30 million animal breeds on the planet, a huge chunk of these are edging towards extinction due to man’s thirst for consumption and entertainment. These animals are hunted for meat, fur, and whatnot.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of animals that are on the verge of extinction. But remember, this list is not in any particular order because it is nearly impossible to know the exact population of all these animals.

1. Bengal Tiger

The Bengal Tiger is commonly found in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. The two main reasons for their decline are poaching and loss of habitat. Even though tigers are considered to be charismatic animals, they are on the verge of extinction throughout the world, including the Siberian tiger and the Sumantran tiger.

2. Gharial (Gavialus Gangeticus)

A fish-eating crocodile, named Gharial, is found in the northern reaches of Indian Subcontinent. It has suffered a drastic decline in numbers since the early 1930s. The human population explosion has created grave anthropogenic hazards for the Gharials, particularly habitat loss, pollution, poaching, and death by fishing nets.

3. Dhole (Cuon Alpinus)

The Dhole, or commonly known as the Asiatic wild dog, is found in the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia, China, and India. Habitat loss, fewer prey animals, death from farmers, and contagious diseases are the main reasons for their decline,

4. Brown Spider Monkey

It is found in Colombia and north-eastern Venezuela. It lives in growth-rain forests. Tragically, 80 percent of these creatures do not exist and it primarily feeds on vegetation and fruit.

5. Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragon is a type of monitor lizard and is known to be the world’s largest lizard. The population of these creatures was assessed at about 3000 individuals. Interestingly, Komodo female dragons can produce offspring by parthenogenesis, meaning, they can produce without their egg being fertilized. Komodo dragons would be able to last only if the Indonesian islands are well-maintained and their prey doesn’t disappear.

6. Borneo Elephant

It is also known as Borneo pygmy elephant and due to widespread habitat loss on the island of Borneo, Malaysia, the number of Borneo elephants have drastically declined since the 1980s. Generally, it is smaller than the Asian elephant. It has become domesticated in many areas although its closeness to people has brought it to numerous conflicts.

7. Orangutan

The word Orangutan translates to “person of the forest”. It exists on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra and is considered to be very intelligent. They are studied because of their ability to make tools and use them in clever ways. They also know how to treat their own illnesses by eating certain plants, types of soil or other minerals. But because of habitat loss, poaching, ad illegal wildlife trade, orang-utans are on the verge of becoming extinct. They have declined by 80%  in the last 75 years.

8. Cotton-Top Tamarin

It is found in the tropical forests of North-Western Columbia and is also known as the New World Monkey. About 40,000 of them were used for biomedical research before 1976, though now they’re protected from such experimentations. About 6000 of them are known to be left in the wild.

Afterword

To conduct vital research on Australian wildlife, The Endangered Species Conservation facility manages a number of captive breeding programs and also partners with Government Authorities, universities, and zoological institutes. Interested students can volunteer from all over the world to learn about Australian wildlife and contribute to breeding and research programs.

Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers Cairns

              Marine Turtles and the Great Barrier Reef

There is nothing like seeing a graceful marine turtle in the wild. Boasting a variety such as the common Green, the small omnivorous Hawksbill, and the increasingly rare Loggerhead turtles, the Great Barrier Reef is home to 6 out of 7 species of marine turtles.

Turtles have been dying in alarmingly high numbers, with near-record stranding in the last few years. We know the Cyclones played their part. They wiped out vast areas of feeding ground. But what else is causing so many turtles to die? There is still so much we don’t know about these iconic creatures. If we want sea turtles to survive, we need to learn more about them. And its facilities like the Oceans 2 Earth Volunteer Cairns that can provide researchers with such an opportunity.

Turtles can be found throughout the year, but most activity is centred on the warmer months when they get ready to breed. The major nesting areas (known as rookeries) are situated within the southern and northern section of the great coral reef.

Breeding turtles don’t eat during the mating period, and the process can sometimes become frenzy, with several males attempting to mate with the same female. The females will keep the sperm from several different males for later use (this helps to increase genetic diversity and successful fertilization). After mating, the males will return to their feeding grounds while the female remains to start nesting.

Several weeks after the first mating, the females will drag their bodies ashore and start to dig a hole in the sand above the high water mark and lay their leathery eggs (Greens and Loggerheads will produce up to 100 eggs at a time). This process will be repeated throughout the season. The female does not keep any contact with her offspring once she covers up the eggs in the sand.

The eggs will incubate for up to 3 months. The interesting thing is that the temperature of the surrounding sand will determine the sex of the offspring (males result from cooler nests while females develop from warmer nests). This is natures’ way of ensuring that there are both viable male and females in the population. As soon as the eggs hatch, the young turtles will scramble madly to the water’s edge, hoping to gain safety, but there is always a danger. Some are eaten by ghost crabs, silver gulls, sharks, and other fish. The chances of survival are slim at best, with only 2-3% making it to reproductive age. Turtle tagging programs have been occurring in Australia for many years, and we are just starting to reap the benefits of this long term project. It has been estimated that some marine turtles, such as Greens, can live for up to 100 years.

The biggest danger to turtles these days are humans. All reptiles have been protected in Australia for more than 30 years, and during this time, Green turtle numbers have stabilized. However, many species, such as the Loggerhead, have a migration path that takes them away from these protected waters. Many countries historically hunt turtles for food and shell by-products. Also, they are vulnerable to litter, such as plastic bags, and the possibility of being caught in trawl nets.

In the pristine atmosphere of the outer coral reef, turtles are often discovered daily, gliding graciously through the blue waters and island cays like Low Isles. This amazing experience can continue if we all continue to treat the environment with respect where organisations like Oceans 2 Earth and Volunteers Cairns work to protect these species and ensure the survival of these ancient creatures.

Endangered Species

     Why More Volunteers Are Needed For 

   Endangered Species

The wildlife is an amazing creation of nature, but sadly many of the wildlife species have become extinct, and some are on the verge of extinction. Many organizations and NGOs are working to preserving these wildlife animals. Oceans 2 Earth is one such organization that works on various projects for protecting the endangered species. 

Here’s a look at why you should volunteer for projects that work on saving endangered species:

You will find many such projects which are committed to sending volunteers abroad to work with endangered animals. There are people who volunteer for such projects, but the fact is many more volunteers are needed to make a big difference in the world. Extinction of animals is a real thing, and it is happening at an alarming rate. Somewhere we humans are responsible for the extinction of these animals. Before few years it was declared that the West African black Rhino became extinct.

More volunteers are needed to spread the awareness that there was no medical benefit in rhino horns and they don’t need to be slaughtered for this purpose. Children of the future generation will not be able to see the West African Black Rhino and will only find their traces in books. Those Rhinos will never walk on the surface of the earth because of our actions. Thus, it is something we humans need to address. 

Our world needs more volunteers who can spread awareness about the importance of saving endangered species and their importance in the ecosystems. The food chain works only when all of its links are in place because energy is transferred via each link. Thus, if one of those links ceases to exist, the entire system would collapse, and the entire world would be shackled including humans. 

Humans have portrayed a very selfish behaviour by exploiting entities that are less powerful than us. We can do with cruelty-free cosmetics, faux fur, and consume vegetarian food instead of hunting animals. These small changes can make the world a better place to live. There is a need for more and more volunteers who can help in preventing the detrimental damage to the environment and its habitats which has already been done. 

There is a need for volunteers who can spread awareness among the locals and communities about the importance of the ecosystems within which they coexist. We all have access to the internet where we can find ample information on campaigns and programs being held for saving wildlife. You can join organizations such as Oceans 2 Earth and work on their projects as volunteers. 

Working on great projects will offer you an opportunity to work on many projects that include educating the locals, tracking animals to avoid human-animal conflict, and teaching the children about the significance of preserving the environment and wildlife. Teaching children is important as they are the future caregivers who need to develop empathy towards nature and its creation. 

By volunteering, you can’t change the past, but you can help in changing the present for creating a sustainable future so that more damage is not done. 

Oceans 2 Earth

         Facts that Will Make Volunteering at a Koala 

                Sanctuary Australia More Appealing

Contrary to popular belief, koalas aren’t bears. They are not even closely related to bears. Koalas, native to the Australian continent, are one of the most adorable creatures on the planet. They are related to wombat and kangaroos.  Being a marsupial mammal, they are referred to as koala bear because of its resemblance to teddy bears. 

They may not be the most famous animal in the animal kingdom, but they surely have the ability to melt even the coldest individual for a moment. As they are quite popular and restricted to one continent, people from different parts of the land come to visit the koala sanctuary Australia to take a glance at these adorable creatures. 

Baby koalas are probably the cutest of all animals. They are known as ‘joeys’. Developing in the mother’s pouch for six months, the cute babies are often seen riding on the back of their mother only using the pouch for sleeping and feeding. 

Though koalas are considered to be the Australian national symbol of unique wildlife, they can only be found in the eastern and south-eastern sides of the country, along with the Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland coastlines. They live on eucalyptus trees found in the forests and bushlands to protect themselves from predators. 

As these animals have to spend a lot of time wedging between branches and tees, they will need a significant amount of support. Because of this reason, they have very strong cartilage by the end of the curved spine, which helps them remain comfortable on the trees. 

Eucalyptus leaves fall in their primary diets, which is surprisingly poisonous to most animals. As they have a particular organ for digesting fiber, they are able to extract the nutrients from the leaves without causing any harm to the body. 

However, they are known to be quite picky when it comes to the species of the eucalyptus trees. In a koala sanctuary Australia, people often spot these adorable animals sitting on the tallest trees to grab the leaves with more nutrients and liquid. 

People believed that koalas do not require water because they get enough from consuming the juicy eucalyptus leaves throughout the day. However, it was recently found that they do rely on water sources, especially during droughts and heat waves. 

Another endearing fact about koalas is that they sleep almost 18 hours a day. It is usually because the nutrients in the leaves are significantly lower than the ones consumed by other animals. Because of this reason, they require more sleep than other animals in the forest. 

Sadly, only 2,000 – 8,000 koalas are left in the wild. They aren't officially endangered, but the population has dropped significantly by 90 percent in the last decade. The primary cause of the decline is the destruction of the natural habitat. 

If you can relate to koalas on a personal level, do not shy away from volunteering in Oceans 2 Earth. With a motto surrounding wildlife, conservation, and animals, Oceans 2 Earth offers the perfect opportunity for you to contribute towards wildlife conservation.

Benefits of Being an Animal Shelter Volunteer

You probably have met people who expressed interest in volunteering, and you must have wondered what drove them towards the pursuit. Well, there is no single but numerous reasons behind this. If you really don't have any idea about volunteering and you want to know why its popularity is growing over time, read the following-

* Volunteering is something people don't do for monetary gain or material profit. It is pure social service, and you can do it only when you have a strong desire to contribute towards the betterment of the society. One of the most important things that you get is the satisfaction of mind. This is an extremely important factor to consider because not everything in the world you do earns you peace of mind. You might be employed in the best of positions, but if you don't have the required peace of mind, your job won't give you any satisfaction. And that is probably the reason why people don't mind engaging themselves in something as non-profit earning as volunteering.

* Another important thing to keep in mind is when you join an animal shelter to offer volunteering services for animals; you develop a kind of sweet and sensitive bond with them. You don’t just begin to worry about their health, wellbeing, and happiness but also work towards bettering these aspects for them. As a result, you develop a deep connection with them. It is this connection that makes you want to be of help to every helpless animal you meet in life even after your volunteering stint.

* Volunteering is a joy only animal lovers will understand. When you extend your help towards abandoned or helpless animals, you feel proud to have done something noble. This is again a kind of achievement you get only when you associate yourself with an animal shelter. 

* If you love animals, you also probably wish to know about them. Most of our knowledge regarding animals is limited. We only know of animals that people rear at home. Knowing about domesticated animals doesn't complete our knowledge of living beings. For enhanced understanding, you can join an animal shelter. In an animal shelter, you are required to work in close association with animals. As a result of which you get a deeper insight into their personal and community life. You get to know what makes them sad or happy or angry. And this knowledge is valuable. With this knowledge, you will be able to deal with animals in a better way in the future.

* Animal volunteering is a job that makes you a better person in totality. You become more loving, caring, and compassionate. With these values in you, you can win every heart. And to earn love from animals and fellow human beings with your good qualities is quite an achievement.

A person who has worked for animals selflessly is considered fit for many jobs that deal with social service or human welfare. So, your animal shelter stint will definitely add to your resume's quality. For best volunteering opportunities, approach koala sanctuary Australia.

Do you have time off? Why not volunteering then?

 

 

Do you have some time off on your plate? Do you feel like doing something good? Well, if that is the case, then why not think about volunteering? Exactly, there are many things that you can do and that will have a great impact on the takers. You can make a difference in the lives and that too through your ways and actions. It is not about giving money, it is about giving your energy, efforts and time. Are you up for something good and satisfying?

Have you ever heard about something like volunteering Australia? Well, there are plenty of projects wherein you can easily fit in. You can do the tasks and make a difference in the lives of human beings and animals. Different projects cater volunteers a variety opportunities to care for the animals and environment wherein they live from animal rehabilitation, marine conservation, wildlife care, education programs and rehabilitation or research and veterinary help. Your contribution does depend on the country, the requirements of the project and duration and kind of stay.

Gain more than you give! 

Believe it or not, during these volunteering tasks, you are going to gain much more than you give. Exactly you can gain some distinct and valued experiences with koalas, elephants, macaques, langurs, owls, gibbons, monkeys, kangaroos, dolphins, jackals, dogs, possums, cats,  wallabies, wombats,   pigmy marmosets, turtles, binturongs, snakes, ocelots, Loris, pigs, sun bears, Asiatic black bears, horses, fishing cats and much more. Where you give, you assistance to these beautiful animals, you will get an experience too. You are going to attain so much of experiences for sure.

You know with so many persistent social issues on the agendas of governments across the world today, saving the animals and the environment seems to be on the back burners of the priority list.  The outcome is that resources and funding for animal and environmental conservation doings across the world is restricted. There is assistance needed by caring and loving individuals and groups to reserve this opulently bio-diverse habitat and every life form within it. Believe it or not, it is worth protecting and much satisfying.  

It is not that you have to do what you are told; it is going to be as per your interest. For example, the volunteers cater their time, skills and expertise to causes that matter to them or they are interested in. Through different organizations and groups, volunteers have the distinct chance to be engaged in meaningful projects from common level where they will contribute to the day to day working of their selected cause. This way, they can cater a lot of help and assistance and at the same time, their passion or interest won’t perish because they will be doing tasks that fall within their interiors

Final Word! 

So, if you have plenty of hours, days and weeks on your hand; make a difference.  It is not always about the latest releases on the cinema screen, the new hotel in the street or the dance party of a friend; sometimes it is about deeper concerns. These tasks will make a difference in lives and you will also feel contented and satisfied.