Not as numerous as you might think: Poison, guns, snares, sport hunting, and habitat loss due to human expansion are taking their toll on the misunderstood hyena. Hyenas are the subject of perhaps more myths than any other African animal, which has unfortunately led to decades of persecution against these unusual creatures. The rapid expansion of human population into remaining hyena habitat – and the intentional killing of hyenas by humans – will eventually prove to be more than this […]
Category: Endangered Species
Vulture Series 2009 (part 2 of 2): Is Decline in India’s Vulture Population Linked to Spread of Rabies in Humans?
India’s ecosystem has been dramatically disrupted by the plummeting population of its vultures: Stray dogs are now one of the top scavengers, and they are spreading rabies to humans. The new availability of extra food left behind by the dwindling number of vultures is a having a catastrophic effect on India’s ecosystem. It has led to a population explosion in stray dogs, who are reportedly “hunting in packs, thus posing a threat to humans as well as wildlife.” Diseases such […]
Vulture Series 2009 (part 1 of 2): India’s Vulture Population has Plummeted from 40 million to 60,000 – Poisoned by Drug Diclofenac
Three species of Gyps vulture are in danger of extinction – poisoned by the use of diclofenac in livestock. India, Nepal, and Pakistan have lost 95% of their vulture populations. As recently as the early 1980’s, there were approximately 40 million vultures in India. However, in the late 1990’s, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) noticed population declines in a breeding colony of White-backed Vultures in Keoladeo National park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. By 2000, there were no breeding pairs left. Scientific […]
Condor Series 2009 (part 3 of 3): California Condors in Peril: Is ‘Tejon Preserve’ Just a PR Smokescreen?
The Kern County Planning Commission has approved development plans for an exclusive gated community featuring luxury homes, golf courses, and hotels in the middle of designated California condor habitat. Thanks to an elaborate marketing and PR campaign by Tejon Ranch Company (TRC), a massive development project in the heart of California condor habitat has been given the green light by the Kern County Planning Commission. ‘Tejon Preserve’ – a PR smokescreen? It appears that Tejon Preserve is essentially TRC’s mandatory […]
Condor Series 2009 (part 2 of 3): Condor-Killing Development Company Receives California Conservation Award?
Tejon Ranch Company (TRC) has received the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) for their PR scheme designed to distract the public from their condor-killing real estate development plans. Apparently, in Schwarzenegger’s California, the development of a luxury mountain resort in the middle of designated California condor habitat is somehow construed as protecting the environment. The “Tejon Ranch Conservation and Land Use Agreement” – winner of the GLEEC – is actually a deal that was cut with several large […]
Condor Series 2009 (part 1 of 3): Tejon Ranch Company’s Development Plans Include ‘Incidental Take’ Permit for California Condors
A luxury-home subdivision in the heart of designated California Condor habitat? That’s exactly what Tejon Ranch Company (TRC) has in mind. In fact, Tejon Ranch Company (TRC) has had it in for the California Condors since at least 1997. That’s when they sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prevent the reintroduction of the species into Southern California. Why would Tejon Ranch Company (TRC) be opposed to the reintroduction of California Condors? Because TRC would be prevented from developing […]