Cuban Solenodon

Species Description:

The Cuban Solenodon has dark brown/black hair and small, beady eyes. It is 16-22 in in size, and can resemble a shrew or a large brown rat. What is unique about this mammal, is that its saliva secretes venom when hunting prey. The species was thought to be extinct until one was found in 2003, making it the 37th of its kind to ever be caught.

Habitat:

Currently, the Cuban Solenodon resides in Cuba only. It inhabits the outer forests that surround Cuba. 

Role in Ecosystem:

Cuban Solenodon's prey on small spiders and insects. Therefore, their role within the ecosystem is to regulate the insect population. Without the Cuban Solenodon, we would have an overpopulation of insects. 

Cause of Decline:

Before the European invasion in Cuba, the Cuban Solenodon had no natural predators. However, the Europeans introduced new species to Cuba. These new species, such as dogs and cats, began to prey on the Cuban Solenodon. Another threat to the species is loss of habitat. Due to agriculture development, the Cuban Solenodon has lost much of the environment that it would thrive in.

Importance:

The Cuban Solenodon is important because of its role within the ecosystem, as well as its low population number. If this animal becomes extinct, there will be an increase in the bugs and insects that it preys on. The species is currently protected by 

Conservation Efforts and Guidelines for Helping:

The species is currently protected by the USDI (United States Department of the Interior). In order to create a more effective conservation plan, more research needs to be conducted on this species. We need to understand why they have been able to survive for so long and the impacts of introduced predators.

Sources:

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=4

Macaw

Species Description:

Macaws are large birds, from the parrot family, and are known for their bold colors. These colors help them to blend in with the surroundings of their natural habitat. They also have curved beaks and long toes. These help them to crush nuts, as well as pick things up. 

Species Habitat:

The Macaw mainly resides in the Amazon. Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana are the countries that make up the region. The Amazon is also one of the world's most threatened forests. 

Role in Ecosystem:

Macaws eat and prey on seeds, as oppose to many other animals that do not eat them and instead spread them. Because they eat and destroy seeds, it limits the number of new trees and plants that can be grown. This helps regulate the plant and tree population.

Cause of Decline:

The biggest cause in their decline is illegal pet trade. Because of their beautiful colors, many Macaws are caught and sold by people. Since Macaws have not been domesticated, like dogs and cats have, it is difficult for them to live as pets. Deforestation has been another big threat to the Macaw. This has made it difficult for Macaws to find food in their natural habitat. 

Importance:

Macaws are extremely important. They are very popular, and one of the reasons that they are disappearing is because their habitat is disappearing. Therefore, if the Macaw becomes extinct, so does a major reason to conserve their habitat which other plants and animals also rely on. 

Conservation Efforts & Guidelines for Helping:

One of their indirect conservation efforts is the conservation plan to protect the Amazon. We need to create more guidelines to directly help conserve the Macaw. One of the things we can do to help is to create special protection and conservation programs for the Macaw. Another thing we can do is create harsher penalties for people who illegally catch Macaws. This will help decrease the trading and selling of them.

Sources:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/macaw

http://www.edjameson.com/Endangered%20Animals/pages/sm1.htm

Arctic Wolf

Species Description

The Arctic Wolf is a subspecies of the Grey Wolf, and is a little bit smaller in size as well. Their fur coats are mostly all white in color, and has two layers (an inner layer an an outer layer). The inner layer of their fur is waterproof, while the outer layer growth thicker during winter. This protects their skin and keeps them warm in harsh conditions.

Habitat

The Arctic Wolf lives in the Arctic and Polar Regions. These regions include Alaska, Greenland, and Canada. However, the majority of Arctic Wolves live in Alaska. 

Role in Ecosystem

Arctic Wolves are carnivores and hunt the animals around them. Because of their environment, they are able to conserve the animals that they do hunt and prey on both small and large animals. This has also enabled them to master their hunting skills, making them almost always successful whenever making contact with prey. These wolves play a key role in regulating the population of other species.

Cause of Decline

Since humans generally can't tolerate the cold temperatures of their environment, hunting is not a huge concern for them. Their biggest threat is a lack of food. Through climate change and industrialization, their food supply is dying and getting cut off. The lack of food threatens them and doesn't allow them to fully thrive or be self sufficient.

Importance

Since Arctic Wolves help regulate the population, their extinction would cause an overpopulation in some animals. With excess animals fighting for a limited food supply, this would eventually cause an endangerment in more species.

Conservation Efforts

In Tidewater, Oregon there is a refuge for Arctic Wolves called "The White Wolf Sanctuary." This refuge rescues injured and abandoned wolves. Some of their goals are to provide a safe environment for their wolves and to create presentations in order to help educate people.

Guidelines for Helping

Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do about climate changes. However, we can help to educate other people. If we can educate people and create more sanctuaries for these wolves, it will enable to live their lives without the threats of not being able to find food.

References

"Arctic Wolf." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 12 June 2015.

"Arctic Wolf." Wolf Facts and Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2015.

"Arctic Wolf - Facts, Diet & Habitat Information." Animal Corner. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2015.

"Wish List." White Wolf Sanctuary. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2015.

Saola

Species Description

The Saola is usually brown or reddish in color, and is included in the family of cattle, goats, and antelopes. Not much is known about the Saola because the species was only recently discovered. It was discovered in 1992, and has only been recorded in the wild four times. They are so rare that they have been nicknamed the "Asian Unicorn," with an estimated population of less than a few hundred.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8j2Yg3ut_Y

Species Habitat and Range

Saolas are known to live in forests and mountains. They have been spotted in Laos and Vietnam.

Species Role in Ecosystem

Not much is known about their role and behavior since so few have been spotted. However, being in the family of cattle and antelopes, their roles would be to supply nutrition to the plants that they graze on.

Cause of Decline

The biggest cause of decline in the saola is due to hunting, as well as habitat destruction. Although they are not valued too much by hunters, it is still a threat since so few have been found in existence to begin with.

Why We Should Care

The saola is so rare that scientists are unsure of the exact population. Because so little is known about this animal, it has become a large priority for conservation. It is important to allow them to live and prosper in order for us to learn more about them.

Current Conservation Efforts

Because of their small population, protection programs have been implemented ever since their discovery. There are laws established regarding specific protection areas for saolas. There is also a plan to better manage the region in which they were originally found.

How to Help

The best thing we can to do help these animals is to help with conservation. The biggest threat to them is the destruction of their habitat, so if we can continue to help protect their environment hopefully their population will increase. Protecting their habitat will also decrease their chances of being hunted, since they will no longer be targeted out in the open.

About Me

My name is Devina Manek, and I just finished my 2nd year at the University of Cincinnati. I am majoring in marketing and I recently completed my first co op at a marketing firm. It was an amazing experience because it allowed me to travel across the country. I have lived in Cincinnati my whole life, but I hope to move to California someday to pursue a career in sales.