Endangered Species
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department there are
currently 37 animal species are currently listed as threatened or endangered in
the state of Arizona. These animals are a vital part of the ecosystem and need
to be protected.
currently 37 animal species are currently listed as threatened or endangered in
the state of Arizona. These animals are a vital part of the ecosystem and need
to be protected.
Black Footed Ferret
http://gctcok.com/IMStudentSites/My%20Website/ferrets.html
The Black Footed Ferret is one of America’s most endangered
mammals. They are extremely specialized predators that rely on prairie dogs for 90% of their food source. In the late 1900’s a nationwide effort to wipe out prairie dogs, who were considered a pest, caused a rapid decline in the ferret population. By the late 1970’s the black footed ferret was considered extinct. In 1981 100 black footed ferrets were discovered on an Arizona ranch. A plague and canine distemper outbreak caused population numbers to fall to a mere 18 individuals. Luckily, through a breeding program the black footed ferrets numbers hav increased and in 1996 began to be re-introduced to the wild.
mammals. They are extremely specialized predators that rely on prairie dogs for 90% of their food source. In the late 1900’s a nationwide effort to wipe out prairie dogs, who were considered a pest, caused a rapid decline in the ferret population. By the late 1970’s the black footed ferret was considered extinct. In 1981 100 black footed ferrets were discovered on an Arizona ranch. A plague and canine distemper outbreak caused population numbers to fall to a mere 18 individuals. Luckily, through a breeding program the black footed ferrets numbers hav increased and in 1996 began to be re-introduced to the wild.
Sonoran Desert Tortoise
picture from zgfd.gov/w_c/deserttortoisemanagement.shtml
In 2010 the Sonoran desert tortoise was added to the endangered
species list after a 50% drop in population over the last two decades. This
rapid drop in population has been caused by perpetual drought and introduction
of non-native plants that are replacing the tortoise’s main source of food.
In 1985 Arizona Interagency Desert Tortoise Team (AIDTT) was formed to help defend the desert tortoise. Since the groups founding, the desert tortoise population has seen a marginal increase.
species list after a 50% drop in population over the last two decades. This
rapid drop in population has been caused by perpetual drought and introduction
of non-native plants that are replacing the tortoise’s main source of food.
In 1985 Arizona Interagency Desert Tortoise Team (AIDTT) was formed to help defend the desert tortoise. Since the groups founding, the desert tortoise population has seen a marginal increase.
Why This Is Important
Each organism is like a cog in the giant machine that is the
ecosystem. Each has a unique job or niche is vital to the ecosystems wellbeing.
And like a cog in a machine, if even one organism disappears the whole
ecosystem will malfunction. For example The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that losing one plant
species can trigger the loss of up to 30 other species that in turn cause other
species to disappear. We may not realize it but we fit into this web as well.
Despite how far we’ve come as a species we are still part of the
all-encompassing biosphere that is planet earth. We must remember that the loss of even one species can have a
major impact on our lives.
ecosystem. Each has a unique job or niche is vital to the ecosystems wellbeing.
And like a cog in a machine, if even one organism disappears the whole
ecosystem will malfunction. For example The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that losing one plant
species can trigger the loss of up to 30 other species that in turn cause other
species to disappear. We may not realize it but we fit into this web as well.
Despite how far we’ve come as a species we are still part of the
all-encompassing biosphere that is planet earth. We must remember that the loss of even one species can have a
major impact on our lives.