The World's Most Endangered Tortoise

A couple of months agp, smugglers were caught transporting 54 live angonoka (or ploughshare) tortoises--nearly 13 percent of the entire remaining population--through the Thailand Airport. Mind you, this is the world's rarest tortoise species. Tortoise advocate Eric Goode told CBS last year that the tortoise "has an incredibly high price on its head. Asian countries love gold and this is a gold tortoise. And so literally, these are like gold bricks that one can pick up and sell."

Photo by Hans Hillewaert via Wikimedia

Learn more about the angonoka tortoise and efforts to save it from extinction here.

Who knew?

More than ten animals have gone extinct in the 21st century, two of which disappeared this year. Do you know what they were? Perhaps more importantly, will our children know (or care) enough to try and save the species we have left? 

Photo courtesy of cfssinc.org via Wikimedia

Cheetah's Best Friend?

Man's best friend is proving to be a great companion for cheetahs as well. Stray dogs are employed by the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to help cheetahs relax and enjoy captivity. Get the full scoop here.  

Photo courtesy of USFWS

 

 

The ESA Turns 40

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, and it only seems natural to celebrate by talking about species that have benefited from the protection this vital legislation has offered. 

The gray wolf is a notable ESA success and is up for complete de-listing in the near future. Photo courtesy of USFWS.

Help Kids to Love a Stream

One of the best ways to help endangered animals is by protecting their habitat, and one of the best ways to inspire the next generation to protect habitat is by helping them learn to love it. Find ideas for exploring a stream with kids here.