Wildlife conservation

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Wildlife conservation

CAVE LION

DODO

TASMANIAN WOLF

MAMMOTH

QUAGGA

CONTENTS-:EXTINCT ANIMALS.CAUSES FOR EXTINCTION OF CAVE LION.CAUSES FOR EXTINCTION OF MAMMOTH.ENDANGERED ANIMALS.CAUSES FOR ENDANGERED ASIATIC LION.CAUSES FOR ENDANGERED ROYAL BENGAL TIGER.STEPS FOR CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE

IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE COVSERVATIONSince all organisms depend on one another in

nature. The survival of wildlife is ultimately linked to our

own survival.Study of wildlife is of scientific importance.Wild animals exhibits enormous variety and most

of them are very beautiful.Viewing of wild animals in zoos is of economic

importance.

CAVE LIONS BECOMING EXTINCT Cave lions probably became extinct across Europe and Asia 14,000 years

ago because a warmer climate drastically reduced the availability of their favourite hunting arenas, say scientists.

Around 1000 years later, the lion also went extinct in Alaska and the Yukon in north-west Canada.

The researchers say as the climate warmed around 14,700 years ago, forests and shrubs steadily replaced the open, steppe-like environment that had dominated for thousands of years, reducing the amount of clear space for the lion to hunt in.

'We can't say exactly why cave lions went extinct, but what we can say is that there's a definite correlation between climate change, vegetation change and the lion's extinction a few hundred years later,' says Professor Tony Stuart from Durham University, who led the research.

MAMMOTH BECOMING EXTINCT

The woolly mammoth (M. primigenius) was the last species of the genus.

Most populations of the woolly mammoth in North America and Eurasia, as well as all the Columbian mammoths (M. columbi) in North America, died out around the time of the last glacial retreat, as part of a mass extinction of megafauna in northern Eurasia and the Americas.

Until recently, the last woolly mammoths were generally assumed to have vanished from Europe and southern Siberia about 12,000 years ago, but new findings show some were still present there about 10,000 years ago.

Slightly later, the woolly mammoths also disappeared from continental northern Siberia. A small population survived on St.

Paul Island, Alaska, up until 3750 BC, and the small mammoths of Wrangel Island survived until 1650 BC.

Recent research of sediments in Alaska indicates mammoths survived on the American mainland until 10,000 years ago.

A definitive explanation for their extinction has yet to be agreed upon. The warming trend (Holocene) that occurred 12,000 years ago,

accompanied by a glacial retreat and rising sea levels, has been suggested as a contributing factor.

Forests replaced open woodlands and grasslands across the continent. The available habitat may have been reduced for some megafaunal

species, such as the mammoth. However, such climate changes were nothing new; numerous very

similar warming episodes had occurred previously within the ice age of the last several million years without producing comparable megafaunal extinctions, so climate alone is unlikely to have played a decisive role.The spread of advanced human hunters through northern Eurasia and the Americas around the time of the extinctions, however, was a new development, and thus might have contributed significantly.

CONGOLESE FOREST GIRAFFE ROYAL BENGAL TIGER

ASIATIC LION BALD EAGLE DHOLE

ASIATIC LIONS BEING ENDANGERED

The lion (Panthera leo) are endangerd for several reasons. Number one, habitat loss (prey is driven out, therefore they are driven out). Continuing with that, many can't find suitable prey and therefore have to catch cattle. Then, farmers kill them to protect the cattle. All because of habitat loss.

Often they are hunted, so they don't find good mates, which gives them the option of inbreeding. The Asiatic lion (P.l.persica) lives nearly entirely in India and is down to a small population in the Gir forest. The Barbary lion (P.l.leo) was overly hunted and is now extinct in the wild, although captives may still exist. That is how they're endangered and how they're endangered.

ROYAL BENGAL TIGER BEING ENDANGERED

Royal Bengal tigers are the Kings of their domain in the jungle. But, human activities have endangered animals Bengal tiger. Their population has reduced considerably in recent times.

Bengal tigers have been a national symbol of many Empires in India. The Pashupati seal of the Indus valley civilization had a figure of tiger on it. Later, it became the symbol of Chola Empire in South India. Today, it is the national animal of India.

India has two-third of the total population of Bengal tigers. They are also found in the Sunderbans in Bangladesh, in the terai region of Himalayas in Nepal, and Bhutan. But, rapid development activities of man have made Bengal tigers endangered.

The pugmarks of tigers used for census have indicated that only 3,000 Bengal tigers are alive in the forests. A survey of tigers conducted in 2010, estimates that only 1167-1657 tigers are in India, 200-419 tigers in Bangladesh, 100-194 tigers in Nepal, and 67-81 tigers in Bhutan.

The pugmark method of counting of tigers is not foolproof, as pointed out by many environmentalists. Nowadays, modern camera trap is used for the counting of tigers. This has led to a new finding that the area occupied by tigers has also reduced considerably by 41 percent since 1990.

The main reason for the condition of endangered animals Bengal tiger is their loss of habitat. Man has encroached upon the forest lands due to rapid urbanization and population explosion.

Another reason for endangering Bengal tigers is their widespread poaching. Illegal trade between India, China, and Nepal in body parts of tigers have made them vulnerable. Tigers are killed for their bones, which have a high value in the international market. Tiger bones are used in traditional Chinese medicines as a muscle strengthener and treatment for Rheumatism. Tigers are also poached for their skins. Skins of tigers are used for making jackets and bags.

STEPS FOR CONSERVATION 1. Legal protection has been provided to wild animals

against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

2. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been amended and made more stringent. The punishment for offences under the Act have been enhanced. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).

3. Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals and their habitats.

4. Strict vigil is maintained by the officials of State

Departments of Forests and Wildlife.

PROBLEMAn animal or plant that is no longer in existence is

said to be extinct.Passenger pigeon,dodo,Indian cheetha are

examples of animals that are thought to be extinct.

Organism that is thought to be existence is tiger.Internatonal trade in live animals,in skin, bones,

horns,musk,etc.

5. Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State/ Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats', ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection to wildlife, and improvement of its habitat.

5.The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been

empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.

6. The State/Union Territory Governments have been

requested to strengthen the field formations and intensify patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.

7. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to

strengthen the enforcement of law for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.