Love Not Loss
Joshua Abaya, Tina Huang, Sahithi Kothamasu
Tasmanian Tiger, Bald Eagle, and Koala Bear
One that is critically endangered: Koala Bear
One whose conservation status has been improved by intervention: Bald Eagle
Tasmanian Tiger
Extinct:(
Koala Bear
Crtically Endangered:/
Bald Eagle
recovering from extinction(:
The Bald Eagle's story
Conservation status: improved by intervention
Name (common/scientific name): Bald Eagle/ Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Habitat: North America
Ecological Role: Controls the rodent population; maintains "survival of the fittest" by preying on weaker, slower species (balances population)
Value: Symbol of the United States of America. Chosen not only because of the majestic look, strength, and longevity, but also, and more importantly, because of the locations of it’s habitat which is solely North America
Extinction/endangerment of eagle: reproductive
failure due to contact with the chemical DDT- Consequences: preyed on animals grew in population, thus caused an imbalance in the area; survival of fittest (stronger, more adaptable species) was unable to be maintained
The Koala Bear's Story
- Conservation status: critically endangered
- Name (common/scientific name): Koala Bear/ Phascolarctos cinereus
- Habitat: Queensland, New South Wales, South/Eastern Australia
- Ecological Role: Control Eucalyptus plant species - dangerous to most animals - by eating the plants and filling the untaken ecological niche
- Value: Iconic animal to the Australian Continent and bring in many tourists so Australia is benefitted in many monetary ways. Koalas add to the aesthetic element of Australia; almost 72% of tourists say that they hope to see the Koala Bear on their trip to Africa.
- Extinction/endangerment of eagle: Australia's woodlands, which are homes for the Koalas (Eucalyptus Trees), are shrinking due to urbanization and traffic deaths. Koalas were also extensively hunted for their fur in the 1920's and 1930's and a new disease called Chlamydia has been introduced into the Koala species that causes a lower fertility rate.
- Consequences: Koala Bear population in dwindling and tourism is hurt economically because of the decrease in Koalas. Many restoration programs are being put into place by the National Koala Conservation Strategy to stop over browsing and clearing the Koala habitats in Australia, but not many measures have been successful. Also, an ecological niche isn't fulfilled and other animals may be harmed because the Eucalyptus plants are dangerous to them.
Love not Loss - Remember the Message
The Tasmanian Tiger's Story
- Conservation Status: Currently Extinct
- Name (Common/ Specific Name): Tasmanian Tiger/ Thylacinus cynocephalus
- Habitat: Australia and New Guinea
- Ecological Role: For their ecosystem, they regulate prey numbers, reduce densities of coyotes, and provide food for scavengers.
- Value: These animals feed on wallabies and rabbits, and without them there would be an overpopulation of rabbits and other small animals. Economically these animals have attracted many hunters to Australia, ultimately causing them to go extinct.
- Extinction/ Endangerment of Tasmanian Tiger: Late 1800s bounties were placed on the tiger. By 1936 the last Tasmanian Tiger died in Hobart Zoo.
- Consequence: The prey once hunted by the tiger will overpopulate. Other scavengers feeding off the tigers prey will also be affected.
Works Cited
Campbell, C.. "The Thylacine Museum - A Natural History of the Tasmanian Tiger."NATURAL WORLDS. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2013. <http://www.naturalworlds.org/thylacine/>.
"DPIPWE - Tasmanian Tiger." Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2013. <http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/webpages/bhan-53777b>.
"Koala -- Kids' Planet -- Defenders of Wildlife." Koala -- Kids' Planet -- Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2013.
"Koala." Environment.gov.au. Austrailian Government, n.d. Web. 5 Jan. 2013.
"PWLF.org - The Pacific WildLife Foundation - Bald Eagle - Bald Eagle Behaviour."PWLF.org - The Pacific WildLife Foundation - Bald Eagle - Bald Eagle Behaviour. The Pacific Wildlife Foundation, n.d. Web. 28 Dec. 2012.
"The Bald Eagle - USA's National Emblem." The Bald Eagle - USA's National Emblem. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Jan. 2013.