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Balaenoptera musculus It took fewer than 50 years of intensive whaling to bring the largest animal the world has ever known to the brink of extinction. Whether the remaining blue whale population is large enough to make a recovery remains to be seen. Humans have hunted whales for well over a thousand years, but it was not until the 1860s that new technology allowed whalers to hunt the largest species of all. Whaling in the late 19th century was difficult and dangerous; but by targeting the largest of the great whales, the whalers could reap enormous profits. Hunting for blue whales began in the North Atlantic; but as the populations there declined, attention turned to other oceans. In the early 1900s 90 percent of the world’s quarter of a million blue whales lived in the Southern Hemisphere. When these rich hunting grounds were discovered, whaling stations were established on small islands in the Southern Ocean. At first whalers had to operate close to coastal factories and could not fully exploit the whales that remained far from land. However, with the arrival of the first factory ships in the mid-1920s, they could process their kills on the open ocean, and consequently the death toll soared. By 1960 it became obvious that the blue whale was heading for extinction, but it was still several years before an international ban on commercial whaling was agreed. The intervening years cost the species several thousand more lives, bringing the total death toll to 350,000 in fewer than 70 years. After the killing stopped there were high hopes that the blue whales would recover. By the mid-1980s there was evidence of a slight increase in numbers, and surveys showed that pregnancy rates had doubled, from about 25 percent in 1930 to over 50 percent. The total world population was estimated at the time at about 12,000 individuals. However, the early optimism proved premature. Estimates vary as to how many blue whales there now are, but recent statistics put the world population as low as 3,500. It is doubtful whether so few whales represent a viable population.

Impoverished Oceans The main reason why the whales’ numbers have not recovered is simply because their habitat has altered for the worse. The annual catch of krill (planktonic shrimps) taken by the world’s fisheries rose from practically nothing in the early 20th century to over 500,000 tons (455,000 tonnes) in 1986. An average blue whale needs about 7,700 pounds (3,500 kg) of krill a day to sustain its great bulk. Now that krill is fished on such a huge scale, there may simply not be enough food to meet the whales’ requirements. The seas are also more polluted now, and not just with chemicals. Toxins and biologically active substances that have been shown to damage other marine wildlife almost certainly affect large whales. In addition, whales are affected by noise pollution and alterations in local currents brought about by coastal developments. Large inland projects can also result in thousands of tons of silt being dumped at sea, making the water unsuitable for both whales and their food. Blue whale (great northern rorqual, sulphur-bottom) Balaenoptera musculus

• Family: Balaenidae
• World population: About 3,500
• Distribution: Three separate populations: in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Southern Ocean respectively; the whales migrate annually between polar and tropical waters
• Habitat: Deep oceans
• Form: Vast, streamlined body; bluishgray skin with pale markings and white to yellow underside. Rounded snout;deep throat furrows; 2 blowholes with large splashguard; small dorsal fin set well back on body
• Diet: Krill (planktonic shrimps) and other crustaceans
• Breeding: Single young born after gestation of 10-12 months; weaned at 7-8 months; mature at 10 years. May live up to 110 years
• Size: Length: 79-89 ft (24-27 m); occasionally up to 110 ft (33 m); females larger than males.
• Weight: 110-132 tons (100-120 tonnes); occasionally up to 209 tons (190 tonnes)
• Related endangered species: Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus); sei whale (B. borealis); minke whale (8. acutorostrata)

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Ruffed Lemur-Varecia variegate – The ruffed lemur is the largest of the true lemurs and is becoming so rare in the wild that its best hope for survival is now an intensive program of captive breeding and release. The ruffed lemur of Madagascar stands out among other lemurs because of its large size and distinctively patterned coat. The patterns and colors vary, but fall into two main subspecies: the red ruffed lemur and the black-and-white ruffed lemur. By far the most endangered is the red ruffed lemur, which only occurs in the far north of the species’ range. Trapping and shooting are widespread activities in the area, and the local forest is being destroyed at such a rate that the IUCN predicts that unless effective action is taken, the population will plummet by at least half in the next few years. The prospects for the black-and-white ruffed lemur are slightly brighter, although it is still a highly endangered animal. Its range is much larger than that of the red ruffed lemur, but the population is sparsely distributed. The black-and-white ruffed lemur occurs in several nature reserves, including the small island of Nosy Mangabe, where the species was introduced in the 1930s. Here the population density is much higher than elsewhere-over 30 animals per square mile (19 per sq. km). Even at these densities there are probably no more than 150 animals in total, and the population is regularly raided by poachers. Captive Breeding The ruffed lemur has shown that it will take very easily to captivity, but its adaptability has been a mixed blessing. On the one hand, collecting for the Malagasy pet trade has played a large part in the species’ decline. On the other, it means that there are large numbers living in the safety of zoos and conservation institutions around the world. Of the captive population, about 500 are black-and-white ruffed and 300 are red ruffed lemurs. Over 95 percent of the population in zoos and other institutions are captive born, and there is now an extensive international breeding program, coordinated by San Diego Zoo. One problem with captive breeding is keeping the gene pool as large as possible. Although interbreeding between subspecies is strongly discouraged, there are a small number of hybrids in existence.

Zoos cooperate by lending out animals for breeding so that the captive populations remain as genetically diverse as possible. A few ruffed lemurs were successfully released back into the wild in 1998 and 1999, and at least one captive-born female has raised a family since being released back into the wild. In years to come it is hoped that the captive-bred individuals will become the founders of stable new populations in specially protected areas of the species’ former range. Conservation Policies and Problems Before the successful reintroduction of captive-bred lemurs can take place there needs to be a significant improvement in the way that Malagasy conservation law is enforced. Although conservation policies are in place, it is not easy for the government to make a real commitment to them in a country where the population is so poor, and where many other social and economic issues take priority. There have been instances, for example, where Malagasy nature reserves have been given up in favor of commercial logging. In addition, poaching has been allowed to continue virtually unchecked in areas that are supposedly protected. The relatively recent development of ecotourism on Madagascar is now bringing money and trade to the island, showing both the government and local people that conservation can pay. A real change of attitude toward conservation of the island’s wildlife by the local population would give the ruffed lemur a fighting chance of survival. Ruffed lemur (variegated lemur) Varecia variegate

• Family: Lemuridae
• World population: Unknown, but probably fewer than 10,000
• Breeding: Between 2 and 6 young born after gestation of 3-3.5 months; weaned at 19 weeks; mature at 20 months; breeds before 36 months
• Related endangered species: Golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemuraureus); broad-nosed gentle lemur (H. simus); 5 other members of the Lemuridae family are classified as Vulnerable
• Habitat: Rain forest from sea level to 3,900 ft (1,200 m)
• Distribution: Eastern Madagascar
• Size: Length head/body: 20-24 in (51-60 cm); tail: 22-25 in (56-65 cm); females larger than males. Weight: 7-10 lb (3,2-4.5 kg)
• Form: Large lemur with thick, variable coat. Black-and-white and red forms both have a white ruff, or neck patch
• Diet: Fruit, leaves, seeds, and nectar; occasionally earth

RUFFED LEMUR The ruffed lemur has two distinct subspecies, the red rind (main picture) and black-and-white ruffed (inset). Even within the two subgroups the lemurs’ coat patterns are extremely variable, leading some zoologists to recommend that they are further divided into seven subspecies.

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Fennec Fox and porcupine videos. About this animal: The Fennec fox found in the Sahara Desert of North Africa (excluding the coast) which has distinctive oversized ears. Although some authorities classify this as the only species of the genus Fennecus. Its name is derived from the Arabic word for “fox“. The Fennec fox is the smallest canid, only weighing up to 3.3 Lb (1.5 kg). The fox is 7.9 in (20 cm) tall at the shoulder, with a body length of up to 15.7 in (40 cm). The tail is an additional 9.8 in (25 cm) or so, and the ears can be 5.9 in (15 cm) long. Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defends them from predators. The porcupines include the fourth largest rodent, after the capybara, mara, and beaver, and are not to be confused with hedgehogs which are insectivores. Most porcupines are about 25-36 inches (60-90 cm) long, with a 8-10 inch (20-25 cm) long tail and Weighing between 12-35 pounds (5-16 kg). Porcupines in the wild, but the gestation period of the African crested is about 112 days. Between one and four young are born in a grass-lined burrow. They are well-developed and have their eyes open at birth. The young leave home for the first time at about 2 weeks of age as their quills, soft at birth, begin to harden. They are quite playful and, outside the burrow, they run and chase one another. The young are suckled for 6 to 8 weeks, when they begin to eat vegetable matter. Porcupines readily adapt to captivity and become quite tame, some living as long as 20 years. Articles about fox:

• Thylacine
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Orangutans are with an ability to reason and think. Orangutan large, gentle red ape and sharing 97% of the same DNA as humans. Indigenous peoples of Indonesia and Malaysia call this ape “Orang Hutan” literally translating into English as “People of the Forest.” The orangutan is the only strictly arboreal ape and is actually the largest tree living mammal in the world. Orangutan habitat destruction due to logging, mining and forest fires has been increasing rapidly in the last decade. Species orangutan like Bornean Orangutan and Sumatran Orangutan. Read more about orangutan..

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Clip from PLANET EARTH, a baboon takes some unusual steps upright in the water. Info: Baboons are the largest members of the monkey family, possessing heads with long, naked, dog-like muzzles. Baboons live in well-organized troops, and the individual is only secure within his own troop. Read more about Baboon

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Meerkats are fairly small mammals animal. Meerkats show great mental capabilities and learn fast. Though small, they pack huge brain power. Meerkats know, by instinct, that they must use teamwork, or else they won’t make it. Read more about meerkat here or here

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Today many perfume makers use artificial fixatives, so this strange substance is worth much less. Carved or decorated sperm whale teeth called scrimshaw can fetch a high price, but their value is more related to the quality of craftsmanship than the ivory itself. The true value of a dead sperm whale was always its oil. Gallons of oil could be extracted by melting down the sperm whale’s blubber. In large individuals the blubber sometimes forms a layer under the skin up to 12 inches (30 cm) thick. The oil was used as a lubricant and in ointments and cosmetics. An additional 500 gallons (1,900 liters) of oil could be harvested from the spermaceti organ in a single whale’s huge head. This was especially valuable since it was fine enough to be used to lubricate delicate machinery. It could also be turned into wax for making high-quality candles that burned cleanly with little soot. Spermaceti candles were popular in the late 1 8th and early 19th centuries, but were eventually replaced by kerosene lamps. A Change in Hunting Practice The sperm-whaling industry eventually declined. For almost a century the whales were not disturbed, and the world population stabilized. If hunting had not resumed in about 1930, it is estimated that there could be more than 3 million sperm whales in the world today. The modern method of hunting is far more intensive. It peaked in the 1960s and 1970s, when 20,000 to 30,000 whales were slaughtered each year, five times as many as in the early 19th century.

Although hunting is now banned, scientists still argue about the damage it actually did. Estimates of the current sperm whale population vary enormously, from just 200,000 to over one and a half million. One effect of hunting has been a shift in the sex ratio. Being much bigger, male sperm whales have always been targeted more than females. By the 1980s, when whaling ceased, there were more than twice as many females as males. It is feared that the imbalance may have led to increased inbreeding, which will damage the gene pool. DATA PANEL Sperm whale (spermaceti whale, cachalot) Physeter macrocephalus

• Family: Physeteridae
• World population: Estimates vary from 200,000 to 1.5 million
• Distribution: Global; in all the world’s oceans and many adjoining seas
• Habitat: Mostly deep ocean
• Size: Length: 36-60 ft (11-19 m). Weight, 17-55 tons (15-50 tonnes); males larger and up to 3 times heavier than females
• Diet: Mostly squid; some octopus and fish including sharks
• Breeding: Single young born in fall after gestation of 14-16 months; weaned at 2 years; female first breeds at 8-13 years, male at 25-27 years due to social hierarchy. Life span up to 77 years
• Form: Large whale with vast, boxlike head up to one third of total length. Single S-shaped blowhole on lefthand-side of snout; skin dark bluishgray, fading with age; often wrinkled and covered in scars; white markings around mouth. Body tapers from head to tail. Teeth only in lower jaw
• Related endangered species: No close relatives, but various dolphins and other toothed whales are threatened, including vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus)

The sperm whale gets its name from the oil filled organ in its head-the spermaceti. No one is sure what the spermaceti does, but it may be used in the control of buoyancy or the production of sound.

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sperm whale at 2900 feet

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