...One of the most endangered wild Canidaes on earth is the North American red wolf; known by the scientific name of Canis Rufus. The reasons for this are the lack of natural environment for them to roam, the lack of food due to human hunting, an intensive predator control program, and the interbreeding of the red wolf and coyotes in the wild. There is one thing that is being done to help the recovery of the species and that is the restoration program. That along with other projects could help bring back the red wolf from the brink of extinction. The red wolf is one of two wolves native to North America, the other one being the gray wolf. They get their name from the reddish tint they have in their fur mostly behind the ears and on the legs and neck. Their size is in between the coyote and the gray wolf. The average adult is around 4 feet long from the end of their tail to the tip of the nose, and 26 to 31 inches tall at shoulder height. Average weight is between 50 to 80 pounds. They tend to hunt alone or in small packs of 5 to 8 individuals; often the individuals are the pups from the breeding pair. The breeding pair or alpha male and female are likely to mate for life. The gestation period for the red wolves is 60 to 63 days, mating season is late winter and the litter size varies from 2 to 8 pups. Only having one litter a year could be seen as a problem but there is nothing that can be done to change that. Their diet consists mainly of small animals such as raccoons...
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...canis, and species lupus. They come in many subspecies and inhabit a wide variety of habitats in North America and Eurasia including the arctic, tundra, temperate zones, desserts, forests, taiga, and sometimes even urban areas. (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolves). Wolves have survived through the ice age. An ancient form of primitive wolf may have originated seven hundred fifty thousand years ago in the eastern part of North America which are thought to be the ancestors of the Eastern Wolf and Red Wolf. Wolves have been in folklore, myths, and cave paintings throughout history. In some cultures wolves were respected and revered, but in other cultures they were feared or looked down upon. Their behaviors have frequently been misunderstood by people. The wolf was once the most widely distributed mammal in the world. Their decline in population and reduction in territory is due to people destroying their habitats and killing them. There were once about fifty subspecies recognized, but the list can be condensed to about thirteen-fifteen general subspecies due to DNA testing, anatomy, distribution, and migration. In 2005, thirty-seven subspecies existed including the dingo and the dog. Some subspecies are extinct or endangered. Some subspecies have been saved by conservation efforts and are being repopulated into the wild through breeding programs. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss several subspecies including the Red Wolf, Mexican Gray Wolf, the Eastern...
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...Professor Wooten 10/20/2013 Human beings are considered to be the most advance species on the planet. This also makes us the most intrusive species on the planet. We effect our environment more than any other living creature. Our populations continue to grow exponentially each year and as they do we intrude on other species habitats even more. Considering we are the most advanced species it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of all other species and do what we can to shorten the endangered species list. The conservation of wildlife is an incredibly important goal that all people should take part in. “Successful species conservation has often been defined as simply the avoidance of extinction” (Redford 2011.) This is the most important goal of anyone interested in wildlife conservation. It is important for us as a species to take responsibility and make the effort to keep other species away from extinction. Wildlife conservation is not something that can only be handled by professional members of organizations. Anyone can do their part to help protect a species in need. In some cases it is as simple as refraining from harmful activities such as hunting for sport. Hunting is a major conservation concern (Selvan & Veeraswami, p11.) If people raise awareness about how hunting effects the populations of large bodied animals perhaps we can help to reduce the damage done to these species. Hunting has been a part of every culture since the dawn of time. Once, it...
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...Final Paper (Summary of Endangered Species Act) Endangered Species Act “What is an endangered species?” is a question that needs to be addressed before getting known of endangered species act. An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct due to three possible reasons: it is few in numbers. According to the theory of Exponential Growth Curve proposed by Malthus, a lower population tends to have a lower reproductive rate and thus a higher risk of going extinct; or a species is threatened by changing environment. A species which fail to adapt a new environment by means such as mutation which creates new “fitting” genes tends to have a higher risk of going extinct; or it is affected predation parameters. In a community, defined as a group of interacting organisms sharing a populated environment, the population of a species is highly dependent on one another. If the predator population of a species is high, this can limit its reproductive rate and thus the population growth. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an organization which “helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.” (IUCN “About IUCN”)According to one of its reports, the endangered species is 40% of all organisms, which has reached the stage of alarm that endangered species conservation policies must be implemented in no time. IUCN is a leading endangered species act organization which...
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...Imagine the world falling apart just from one animal going extinct. It could happen if we don’t keep these wolves safe and out of harm's way. The Red Wolf is smaller and thinner than their cousins which is the gray wolf. They are the most endangered carnivore causing them to lose more than 99.7% of their territory. Their diet contains small mammals and deer. These wolves are nocturnal and communicate by marking their scent and sending out vocalizations. They are very shy and secretive, they also tend to form bonds for life and protect each other. The size of their packs varies between who gets chosen (Defenders of Wildlife). These wolves are very distinct animals and have many unique traits. This species once ranged from eastern Texas...
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...Mikey Warfield DE Comp II Ms. Casper Wolf Reintroduction In recent years the wolf has been forced onto the endangered species act from excessive poaching and extermination. In order to revive this species we must reintroduce it to its natural habitats including but not limited to Colorado. The last wolf in Colorado was believed to have been shot in 1943; seventy years excessively far too long to stand back and do nothing. I believe that a full wolf reintroduction to Colorado is a necessity. Considering, a wolf is only as dangerous as you make it and with the proper precautions they present little to no danger to humans and cattle, it makes sense to reintegrate this species before it disappears forever. In a realistic sense they present no real threat to humans or livestock as long as they are left alone just like any other animal. They are heavily misunderstood and a community wolf awareness lesson may be necessary, but they can easily reintegrate into our society, if trigger happy ranchers can be kept in check. In many cases they can help to eliminate the overpopulation of deer and elk in recent years which have been a nuisance to farmers and homeowners throughout Colorado. In a recent study of twenty high school students all twenty said they supported wolf reintroduction in Colorado (Warfield). If their survival lacks no real negative side effects and mostly positive outcomes then we must act now before it’s too late. Many argue that wolves are...
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...Human Factors Red wolves are amazing animals, unfortunately, there are very few of them left making them endangered species. They’re only 90-110 red wolves in the wild. The red wolves are endangered because of illegal hunting and habitat loss. Luckily, there are people helping this cause. The U.S Fishland Wildlife and Service has helped the red wolf from being extinct. Some people are helping while others are just destroying habitats and illegally hunting. The Navy cancelled creating airstrips to help out the red wolves. In 1980 there were fewer than 20 red wolves in the wild. Thanks to the U.S Fishland and Wildlife Service they took them so that they can breed to a higher population. The ecosystem of the red wolf is important because it has the habitat of other animals too. We need to preserve this because without it the red wolves and other animals in the food chain can die off. Laws that protect the red wolves are now in effect to prevent people to hunt them. However, despite this law there are people who still illegally hunt animals so the red wolves need to be monitored closely. This is important because this is a very rare species and they control the population. Red wolves have a little population compared to other animals. It’s good to have people breeding them so that we can have more. We also need to help them because they’re not many left. Let’s hope one day the population will increase back to...
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...researchers observed the interactions between both endangered species. A group of roughly 200 gelada monkeys had become habituated to the wolves presence. Most of the time (68 percent to be exact) the monkeys wouldn't even move around the wolves. Compare that to the 100 percent of the time the band fled when it encountered domestic dogs. So how exactly did the Ethiopian wolves win the band's trust? Researchers believe that through constant non-threatening behavior, including the restraint to attack vulnerable gelada monkeys, the wolves won the monkeys over. And when 200ish monkeys start grazing, the rodents pop out and it's a rodent feast. The solitary wolves are way better off with the band than without. In what may well be an adaptive strategy, the "Ethiopian wolves foraged successfully in 66.7 percent of attempts among the gelada monkeys v. a success rate of only 25 percent when wolves foraged by themselves." Although it's still not clear what the monkeys get out of all this -- possibly protection? Threats to These Unlikely Partners It's great to think of two threatened creatures who share Ethiopia as home come together and help each other out. The gelada monkeys definitely don't have it easy. According to the University of Wisconsin, http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/gelada_baboon/cons the baboons have four main threats: 1) human-Induced habitat loss, degradation and climate change, 2) invasive alien species, namely Eucalyptus globules trees, 3) adult males...
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...Lindsey Lebrick Bio 104 Dr. Stelzer Endangered Species in Wisconsin In previous years, the environment was looked at as an infinite resource. People did not realize their actions had negative effects on the environment and the species it inhabited. Such negative effects was pollution, which harmed animals and their living areas more than thought possible. It wasn’t until after events started happening, that people realized the harm they were inflicting. There were and still are many endangered species from this, however organizations and laws are now involved in the stabilization of these animals and prevention techniques. There are several endangered species in Wisconsin, however the first I am going to talk about is the Lycaeides Melissa samuelis, otherwise known as the Karner blue butterfly. These butterflies are federally endangered in the USA, at eleven sites at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin (Guiney, Androw and Wilder). The samuelis butterflies, both male and female have a wingspan of about one inch, but vary in appearance. The topside of the male is a silvery dark blue with black marks. The female is a grayish brown, especially on the outer portions of the wings. The females are wings are blue on the top and have irregular bands of orange crescents inside the narrow brown boarder. The underside of both sexes is gray with a continuous band of orange crescents along the edges of both wings and with scattered black spots circled with white. The Karner blue butterfly usually...
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...dictate much of the living world. Perhaps one of the most renowned literary characters of supernatural fiction is the werewolf. Historically, this literary concept of a wolf-human hybrid is rooted in evil. They are graphically described as “bestial, blood-drinking, human-flesh-eating creatures, endowed with more than human agility and strength” (Rudin 115). Werewolves served as popular antagonists throughout media, including television and cinema; yet, in recent years, the media’s perception of werewolves has taken a noticeable shift in the opposite direction. Stephenie Meyer, the critically acclaimed author of the Young Adult series The Twilight Saga, embodies this shift to the “new” werewolf. Meyer made a drastic change to the very nature of what was once a ferocious beast by characterizing werewolves as more gentle and protective. People wonder, though, what caused this sudden switch of characteristics? Through texts such as Rick Bass’ The Ninemile Wolf, Barry Holstun Lopez’s Of Wolves and Men, Valerie Fogleman’s piece “American Attitudes Towards Wolves: a History of Misperception,” Stephenie Meyer’s The Twilight Saga, and more, this paper will argue that the “original” werewolf belief was founded on America’s misperception of wolves and that, through revelations in animal studies, particularly the Endangered Species Act of 1973, modern American culture has transitioned into a more animal sympathetic society, creating literary changes in the behavior of werewolves to occur with...
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...Hybridization and “Genetic” Extinction Can and do we preserve the genetic integrity of species, and if so, how? Hybridization • Hybridization: mating between different species or two genetically distinct populations that produces offspring, regardless of fertility of offspring Golden- and Blue-Winged Warblers Golden wingedwarbler Blue wingedwarbler Hybrid (Brewster’s Warbler) Golden- and Blue-Winged Warblers Introgression • Introgression: the incorporation of genes from one population or species to another through hybridization that results in fertile offspring that further hybridize with parental populations or species (“backcross” ) • Over several generations, introgression can result in a complex mixture of parental genes, while in simple hybridization 50% of genes will come from each of the two parental species. • Without introgression, the parental species or populations are not “contaminated” by hybridization Levels of Hybridization Population or Species A Population or Species B F1 Hybrid Backcross (1st generation) Introgression F2 Hybrid (2nd generation) Backcross Hybrid Zones • Hybrid zones are often observed in nature… Species A Species B Hybrid Zone • How are hybrid zones maintained? – Hybrids may be less fit than parental taxa and selected against, but dispersal into the zone maintains a narrow band of F1’s – Hybrids may be more fit than parental taxa in habitats that are intermediate to parental taxas’ native habitat Hybridization and Conservation...
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...In the 1974, there was monumental declaration that the wolves are protected by the endangered species act. The humans caught some species of the wolves and breeded them like the gray wolf and red wolf. Then the humans reintroduced them back to the wild, but before the wolf hunt, humans and wolves used to trust each other and were good allies. Mankind had stories about the wolves saving them from the great flood and that they have healing powers. After we had became caring about the wolves we learned a lot about them. Wolves have interesting facts about them like they are carnivorous and can eat 20 pounds of meat. In a pack they can have 6 to 20 wolves and they hunt as a pack to take down big animals. When they are lost they communicate by howling and another way they communicate is by body language. Wolves will howl back to the human who howls. Also the Cherokee Indians didn’t hunt wolves because they believed if they killed one, the brothers of the wolf would come to get...
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...African wild dog classification and evolution The african wild dog is a medium sized species of canine found across sub-saharan Africa. The african wild dog is most easily identified from both domestic and other wild dogs by their brightly mottled fur, with its name in latin aptly meaning painted wolf. The african wild dog is said to be the most sociable of all the canines, living in packs of around 30 individuals. Sadly however, this highly intelligent and sociable animal is severely under threat in much of its natural habitat, primarily due to habitat loss and having been hunted by humans. African wild dog anatomy and appearance The african wild dog has beautiful mottled fur which is very distinctive and makes it easy to identify. The fur...
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...Josh Smith Dr. Tom Jones English 101 December 5, 2006 The Big Bad Wolf • Three little pigs dance in a circle singing "Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf?" • Little Red Riding Hood barely escapes the cunning advances of the ravenous wolf disguised as her grandmother. • Movie audiences shriek as a gentle young man is transformed before their eyes into a blood-thirsty werewolf, a symbol for centuries of the essence of evil. Such myths and legends have portrayed the wolf as a threat to human existence. Feared as cold-blooded killers, they were hated and persecuted. Wolves were not merely shot and killed; they were tortured as well. In what was believed to be a battle between good and evil, wolves were poisoned, drawn and quartered, doused with gasoline and set on fire, and, in some cases, left with their mouths wired shut to starve (Begley 53). Convinced that they were a problem to be solved, U.S. citizens gradually eradicated gray wolves from the lower 48 states over a period of 25 years. Today many people are convinced that the elimination of the gray wolf was not only an error, but also a detriment to the quality of life in this country. There has been a public outcry to rectify the situation created by the ignorance of our ancestors. However, in seeking to address a situation created by the human compulsion to control nature, it is crucial to discern how much human interference is necessary. Human control must be tempered by respect and restraint...
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...late winter. The young develop inside the mother for 63 days until birth. Two weeks after they are born the cubs are bigger and stronger. They can know hear and they eyes are open so they can see. They clamber over one another to reach the warmest places under their mother’s body. By the age of three weeks they are able to stand and wobble to the den entrance; they sniff the air and look outside the world. The cubs spent their summer in a grassy spot near their old den. By the fall they are about strong enough to travel with the adults as they roam through their territory in search of food. By the time the female cubs are 2 they are able to mate. Young she-wolf reaches maturity the age at which they can breed, even earlier than their...
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