I don't have all the answers. We will have to get active. We know that advanced industrial technology can have dramatic ecological effects. It is leading to extensive pollution of air, water, and land, with disruptive effects on the health of organisms and the climate of the planet. It's also leading to the rapid depletion of resources, such as minerals and fresh water. Additionally, the combined effects of pollution and habitat destruction is causing a mass extinction of other species. I've listed the reasons, practical reasons, why human society should protect other life forms in an earlier post. However I am highly optimistic that we will solve our
problems in the future as we have done in the past. That we shall try to find technological innovations and alternative sources of energy, that we shall try to preserve the environment on which ultimately we are as dependent for our survival as any other species. Hopefully we shall make the right decisions.

Lexi

Yes I know and I am involved myself in such a project.

We have launched this since the passing of my best friend. We are looking for more members but not too many. Keith was a simple man and didnt like a fuss of any kind.
We`re just a quite mob low key. Have a look and see what you think.

http://wildlifeandhabitatsociety.vpweb.com.au/Home.html

Kerryanne

Vale to your friend Keith.

CANARIES IN THE COAL MINES

Not so long ago miners would take a canary down into a mine shaft to determine whether poisonous gases had reached lethal levels. Poor canary, it died if the air was toxic.

One of the most environmentally sensitive animals on this planet are amphibians, far more sensitive than the unlucky canaries. Part of the reason for amphibians is their moist absorbent skins; slight changes in their environment can cause death (except, unfortunately, for Cane toads, which provide an example of the introduction of a non-indigenous species into an environment).

Worldwide the loss of amphibians is as alarming as it is an indicator that our environment is changing.

"The researchers reported that 1,856 species, 32.5 percent of the known species of amphibians, are "globally threatened," meaning they fall into the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's categories of vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. By comparison, 12 percent of bird species and 23 percent of mammal species are threatened.

The researchers reported 435 amphibian species are in rapid decline, at least nine species have gone extinct since 1980 and another 113 species have not been reported from the wild in recent years and are considered to be possibly extinct....

....Global Amphibian Assessment, were compiled by more than 500 scientists in 60 countries...

..."In my view this assessment of amphibian declines is very important, because it quantifies an extremely worrying set of observations," Beebee said via e-mail. "Amphibians are declining in many places all over the world, often in areas where we might expect human effects to be minimal."

The new paper concludes that while exploitation and loss of habitat are factors in some losses, other declines remain enigmatic, occurring for unknown reasons.

Overexploited species are concentrated in East and Southeast Asia where frogs are harvested for food, the report says. Habitat loss occurs more widely, but especially in Southeast Asia, West Africa and the Caribbean, it adds.

A major concern, the researchers say, are the enigmatic declines and disappearances occurring in North and South America, Puerto Rico and Australia."

http://jasperwildlife.com/Amphibians-Threatened-Worldwide-Jasper-Wildlife.html

Dear Kerryanne,

May your friend Rest In Peace. Thanks for the link. I tried looking at it - but for some reason my computer is very slow
this morning. I'll try again later this evening. I'm about
to go out on a few appointments shortly, so I shan't
be posting. I'll get back to you on this.

Dear Ammonite,

Thanks for the information on amphibians. The more we know
of the damage that's being done - the sooner something may
be done about it.

Dear Kerryanne,

I've just popped back in between appointments.
I've had a quick look at the site for your
"Australian Wildlife and Habitat Society, Inc."
Thank You for making me aware of this organisation.
It sounds wonderful - and very worthy of support.
I strongly recommend others to Google the site and
see for themselves. Congratulations to you and your colleagues
for your work towards preservation our native wildlife.
Bravo!

I am a member of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). They save animals in crisis around the world. With offices in 15 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and their habitats. Last December, IFAW successfully released eoght endangered
gyrfalcons back to the wild in Russia. The birds were seized a month earlier from a failed smuggling operation in Moscow. Customs officials at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport found the birds wrapped and stuffed tightly in a bag.

The birds were carefully unpacked and then brought to IFAW's Raptor Rehabilitation Centre in Moscow and cared for until they were ready
for release. IFAW has rehabilitated and released several gyrfalcons seized in Russia and hundreds of endangered birds of prey worldwide, most of the birds were victims of illegal trade.

Here's another positive... As part of IFAW's efforts to promote whale watching and stop whaling, IFAW conducted a "World Whale Watch 2010"
conference in Tokyo, Japan. With opening remarks by Senior Vice Minister of the Environment, Shoichi Kondo, the conference was well
attended by Japanese and international whale watch operators.

Participants attended workshops covering topics from investigating ways to increase support for whale watching in Japan to changing public opinion on Japan's ongoing "scientific" whaling.

In addition to showcasing the success of whale watching, this conference strengthened IFAW's presence in Japan.

As Fred O'Regan, CEO and President of IFAW tells us, the organisation began with a small group of people committed to ending Canada's commercial seal hunt. "It's been a long, hard fought battle but we are making gains. The recent bans in Russia and the EU prove that steadfast determination pays off." Over the years their campaign has grown to embrace, elephants, rhinos, bears, tigers, and whales under
threat, and of course, cats and dogs in need of loving care. 411
critically endangered tortoises stolen from Madagascar have been returned to their home. They were destined for sale in public markets in China. They were released into a National Park with other tortoises.