Can Conservation Increase Chances of the Amur Leopard’s Survival?

There have been purchases of lands that are becoming protected for habitat space, as well as the large scale recoveries of forests that were devastated and ravaged due to over logging. The recovery of our forests will allow for an increase in the population of prey for these panthers and allow a flourishing ecosystem to help them. Public opinion has also changed. From being scared of them and killing them, people are now aware of the potential that this species could go extinct and have made efforts towards wildlife conservation and more legal protection that is backed by the Endangered Species Act. Furthermore, The Florida Panther Recovery Team has continued to work hard in preservation efforts as well as being able to now correctly assess habitats that are safe and productive for the Florida Panther to once again grow in. Unfortunately, only about 11% of reintroductions end in the species successfully recreating and increasing in numbers. Increases in technology is also however helping this team accurately track and study the patterns of the Panther in hopes of being able to find ways in to increase the odds of the species surviving once it is reintroduced into an

One of the most fun, visually amazing functions to visit are zoo's. Growing up as a kid going to the zoo was so much fun and basically guaranteed a great day out. People have been complaining and questioning the role of zoo's for a long time now. Some claim that it actually kills the animals off faster. Others claim that zoo's actually help protect and preserve the lives of these animals. Only one can make a reasonable argument by studying sources, and finding out statistics. Based off of the articles, "The Stripes Will Survive", "The Zoos Go Wild", and "Our Beautiful Macaws and Why They Need Enrichment", we can truly get in-depth analysis about the role zoo's play.

In “The Stripes Will Survive” it states “ In 1981, the American Zoo and Aquarium association (AZA) started the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to make sure that threatened and endangered species don't disappear. The members of the Tiger SSP teach the public about the plight of tigers and do research. They keep a computerized family tree of zoo tigers that helps match males and females for breeding.” This shows that the AZA is taking big steps to make sure that tigers survive and breed.

Moreover, zoos help to repopulate endangered animal species such as the California condor, a vulture. As it says in the article “Zoos: The Historical Debate” after ten years of working

Many of its marshes, cypresses, and mangroves cover the majority of the wetland and an estimated number of 50 reptile species and 40 mammal species currently residing are either endangered, or worse, threatened for extinction. The Florida Panther, according to the National Park Service, has a successful breeding population; nonetheless, the “primary threats to the remaining population are habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation” (para. 2). Due to the ongoing urban development, the panther became a well-known endangered human threat. An estimated 80-120 panthers are surviving

This lab report focus on the risk of extinction of the panther species of Florida due to habitat loss (urbanization), collisions road kill, intolerance and poor genetic diversity have been confined to this animal to live in a small part of South Florida become one of the most endangered mammals on the planet. About 160 cats remain in the wild. Therefore the objective of this report is to disseminate knowledge regarding the extinction of native species by identifying the mortality, its causes, area of action, level of ecosystem and possible solutions to prevent their extinction

The leopardus pardalis, or the ocelot, also known as the dwarf leopard, has been endangered since 1982 and is protected by the Endangered Species Act (FWS, 2010). Ocelots have been declared a federally endangered species (Tewes, 2001). They are native to South and Central America as well as Mexico (FWS, 2010). Texas is a far north as the wild cat has been found, but a few have been noted to have lived in Arizona and Louisiana in the past (Campbell, 2003, Moore, 2013). A feature that denotes it from other cats is the parallel striping descending down the neck and above the eyes. It is a medium sized cat with body size resembling the bobcat, weighing between 24 and 35 pounds when full grown (FWS, 2010).

For years now the Florida Panther has been listed on the endangered species list. Most people know of this fact, however; they do not know why. As with every other animal on the endangered species list, there are several factors that can possibly place these animals on this list. The Florida Panther is on the endangered species list due to car interactions, a growing human population, and substantial land developments, however; there are several precautions that one can take to help protect this animal.

They also are very rare to see. As I said, they are only found in southwestern Florida areas. To see these animals would be a very rare occurrence. These species go through a lot, and have trouble being able to stay alive. One of the main problems is humans when it comes to the approach of extinction of certain animals. That is the case in this situation as well. We are the third highest reason for Florida panther’s declines. Florida panthers don’t have sufficient space in some habitats in the Florida area and end up going on the road to get hit by cars. It’s very tragic but true. Other reasons that affect these animals is also habitat loss. When construction is going on it is a huge problem for territorial panthers. This also is another lead to panthers not having a sufficient habitat. Mercury is a big problem for these species when it comes to pollution. These animals are also inept to get a disease called feline leukemia. These innocent creatures go through this on a daily basis. The fact is we have to find a way to keep these species away from harm. Wild lands are converted for cattle grazing, crop, sugar, and citrus production. This wipes out a large portion of these species. Financial weights is more conflicting to alternately poor requirement from claiming existing administrative safeguards. This pushes the destruction as opposed to protection for Florida panther inhabitants in southwest Florida.

They were once found in different parts of North America ranging from Northern Mexico to Southern Canada. During the early and mid 1900s their populations in many Mideastern and western states of the United States of America reduced because they were hunted because of their high demand of fur. However, in the 1970s the international law began to protect them thus, reducing their high rate of decline (Hansen, 2006).

The Canada Lynx, with its characteristic silver-brown coat and tuffed ears, is coming face to face with the threat of extinction – at least in the woods of Maine. The population of this North American mammal, which can be found in Canada, Alaska and some parts of Northern U.S., is quickly declining due to environmental changes taking place in their habitat. In an effort to fight back, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is teaming up with private landowners to recreate the habitat the Canada Lynx needs to hunt and prosper.

Animal extinction is big a threat to some animal species. According to the text “ The Impact of Animal Protection”, many nature parks have supervised breeding programs that allow numbers to increase. Many people think that animals should be able to repopulate by themselves. Keeping animals protected has proven to be beneficial and increase the populations of endangered animals. According to the text “The Impact of Animal Protection” these programs have helped bring several animals - black footed

The Amur Leopard is one of the most critically endangered big cats in the world. The Turtleback

Once widespread throughout the grasslands and savanna of northern Africa, dama gazelle (Nanger dama) populations have dramatically plummeted in recent history. The species is categorized as critically endangered by the IUCN, and remaining populations are fragmented and limited to small areas in Chad, Mali, and Niger (IUCN 2014). The dama gazelle species is classified into three subspecies: addra (N. d. ruficollis), the mohor (N. d. mhorr) and dama (N. d. dama), which differ in geographical distribution and coat color (IUCN 2014; RZSS and IUCN 2014). Remaining wild populations are highly fragmented and species survival is threatened by habitat degradation and loss, primarily due to overgrazing by domestic species, use of land for agriculture, and poaching (Grettenberger and Newby 1986; Newby 2014; RZSS and IUCN 2014). Current predictions suggest climate change will significantly impact the remaining habitat and likely negatively influence survival (Durant et al. 2014; Bronson 2009; Zerbe et al. 2012). In addition, spatial segregation of remaining wild populations increases possibility of inbreeding and concomitant decline in reproductive success (Roldan et al. 1998; Gomendio et al. 2000; Andrabi and Maxwell 2007). The ex situ population of addra gazelle also is not self-sustaining and individuals managed in captivity are dispersed across North America in small herds, hindering their effective genetic management.

“Zoos try to make the animal’s enclosure as interesting as possible. One way of doing this is through ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT. Enrichment is the use of novel objects or ideas to increase the natural behaviour of the animals. Different objects and methods are used for different animals.” (1)