samedi 25 novembre 2006
The Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia or Panthera uncia), is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of central Asia. The taxonomic position of this species has been subject to change. In the past, many taxonomists included the Snow Leopard in the genus Panthera, with several of the other largest felids, but later it was placed in its own genus, Uncia. However, most recent molecular studies place the species firmly within the genus Panthera, although the exact position remains unclear.
Along with the Clouded Leopard, it represents an intermediate between so-called big cats and smaller specimens as it can neither roar nor purr. Well known for its beautiful fur, the Snow Leopard has a soft grey coat with ringed spots and rosettes of black on brown. Its tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of its paws are covered with fur for protection against snow and cold.
Snow leopards are found only in the mountains of central Asia and the Himalayas. It is estimated that there are about 4,510-7,350 snow leopards. The total potential snow leopard habitat is about 1,835,000 km 2 in 12 snow leopard range countries. In addition, some 600-700 animals survive in zoos around the world.
In Nepal, snow leopards are distributed along its northern frontier. Of these, the districts of Mustang, Mugu, Dolpo and Humla feature prominently for snow leopard populations. A habitat suitability index model of snow leopard habitat in Nepal 's northern frontier suggests an estimated population of 350-500 animals in Nepal, constituting one-tenth of the world's snow leopard population.
In Nepal, snow leopards are distributed along its northern frontier. Of these, the districts of Mustang, Mugu, Dolpo and Humla feature prominently for snow leopard populations. A habitat suitability index model of snow leopard habitat in Nepal 's northern frontier suggests an estimated population of 350-500 animals in Nepal, constituting one-tenth of the world's snow leopard population.
Snow leopard presence has been suggested in 8 mountain protected areas of Nepal. They are Annapurna Conservation Area, Shey Phuksundo National Park , Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, Manaslu Conservation Area, Makalu Barun National Park , Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Sgarmatha National Park and Langtang National Park .
WWF radio collars elusive snow leopard in Pakistan "For the first time ever, scientists captured and radio collared a snow leopard in northern Pakistan, with the hope of learning more about this endangered cat species"
samedi 25 novembre 2006 0
White tigers are Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) or tigers of mixed Bengal/Amur ancestry with pink noses, white-to-creme coloured fur and black, grey or chocolate-coloured stripes. Their eyes are usually blue, but may be green or amber. There are several hundred captive white tigers worldwide (this number increases annually), all of whom can trace their ancestry back to a white Bengal tigers caught in Rewa, India.
The tigers' colour is caused by a recessive gene. The gene for white colouration is usually associated with Bengal tigers. It is an extremely rare animal in the cat family. It is hunted for its fur by many poachers and hunters even though it’s illegal.
White tigers may have occurred in the Amur or Siberian tiger subspecies. Two registered pure-bred Amur brothers conceived at the Como Zoo may have carried the white gene (their most famous descendant being Tony, a founder of many American white tiger lineages). Their wild-caught parents were pure Amur tigers although one of these has also been described as a Bengal/Amur hybrid. These white Amur tigers have since been interbred with white Bengal tigers as well as leaving pure-bred Amur offspring. In addition to white generic tigers and white Bengal tigers, there are also purebred white Amur tigers in existence. Most white tigers bred in captivity are generic tigers, that is, a hybrid of two subspecies — most commonly, a mix of Bengal and Siberian ancestry.
White tigers have been recorded outside of the Indian state of Rewa and as far afield as China and Korea and from Nepal, Myanmar, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java. Historically, white tigers have been reported in northern China, in the geographic range of the Amur tiger (previously called the Manchurian/North China tiger and the Siberian tiger) and in the Indo-Chinese, Sumatran and Javan subspecies. White tigers have not been reported amongst the South China, Caspian or Bali tigers.
White tigers may have occurred in the Amur or Siberian tiger subspecies. Two registered pure-bred Amur brothers conceived at the Como Zoo may have carried the white gene (their most famous descendant being Tony, a founder of many American white tiger lineages). Their wild-caught parents were pure Amur tigers although one of these has also been described as a Bengal/Amur hybrid. These white Amur tigers have since been interbred with white Bengal tigers as well as leaving pure-bred Amur offspring. In addition to white generic tigers and white Bengal tigers, there are also purebred white Amur tigers in existence. Most white tigers bred in captivity are generic tigers, that is, a hybrid of two subspecies — most commonly, a mix of Bengal and Siberian ancestry.
White tigers have been recorded outside of the Indian state of Rewa and as far afield as China and Korea and from Nepal, Myanmar, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java. Historically, white tigers have been reported in northern China, in the geographic range of the Amur tiger (previously called the Manchurian/North China tiger and the Siberian tiger) and in the Indo-Chinese, Sumatran and Javan subspecies. White tigers have not been reported amongst the South China, Caspian or Bali tigers.
The Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) is a large carnivorous marsupial native to Australia which is thought to have gone extinct in the 20th century. It is known as the Tasmanian Tiger or Tasmanian Wolf and is the largest carnivorous marsupial. It deviates so greatly from all of the other forms of this diversified family that it is classified as one species and genus under its own family. The Tasmanian Wolf looks like a dog because of its size and pointed head. Its ears are short and round and this wolf can amazingly open its mouth up to an 180 degree angle. This wolf walks on its toes and has a tail covered with short hair. Much like a kangaroo, the Tasmanian wolf has a pouch to hold its young. 
The Tasmanian Tiger photographed at Hobart zoo in 1933 Extinction
The last captive Thylacine, captured in 1933 and referred to as Benjamin (although it was most probably a female specimen) later died in the Hobart Zoo on 1936-09-07 (now known as Threatened Species Day in Australia). She is believed to have died from neglect, suffering exposure to the cold and no access to sheltered sleeping quarters. A short black-and-white film was made of the captive pacing back and forth in its enclosure. The photographer, the naturalist David Fleay, was bitten on the buttocks whilst taking the photograph.
Official protection of the species by the Tasmanian government was belatedly introduced in 1938.
The results of various subsequent searches indicate a strong possibility of survival of the species in Tasmania into the 1960s. Searches by Dr. Eric Guiler (considered a leading authority on the species) and David Fleay in the north-west of Tasmania found possible footprint and scats and heard presumed vocalisations as well as anecdotal evidence from people presumed to have sighted the animal. Despite the searches, no conclusive evidence was found to point to continued existence.
The Thylacine held the status of "endangered species" until 1986, when it was declared extinct by international standards. That standard states that any animal that has not been proven to exist for 50 years is declared extinct. Since no definitive proof of the thylacine exists since "Benjamin" died on September 7, 1936, the thylacine sadly now met that official criteria.
Official protection of the species by the Tasmanian government was belatedly introduced in 1938.
The results of various subsequent searches indicate a strong possibility of survival of the species in Tasmania into the 1960s. Searches by Dr. Eric Guiler (considered a leading authority on the species) and David Fleay in the north-west of Tasmania found possible footprint and scats and heard presumed vocalisations as well as anecdotal evidence from people presumed to have sighted the animal. Despite the searches, no conclusive evidence was found to point to continued existence.
The Thylacine held the status of "endangered species" until 1986, when it was declared extinct by international standards. That standard states that any animal that has not been proven to exist for 50 years is declared extinct. Since no definitive proof of the thylacine exists since "Benjamin" died on September 7, 1936, the thylacine sadly now met that official criteria.
The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus laniarius or Sarcophilus harrisii), also referred to simply as 'the devil', is a carnivorous marsupial now found only in the Australian island state of Tasmania. The Tasmanian Devil is the only extant member of the genus Sarcophilus. The size of a small dog, but stocky and muscular, the Tasmanian Devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world. It is characterised by its black fur, offensive odour when stressed, extremely loud and disturbing screech, and viciousness when feeding. It is known to both hunt prey and scavenge carrion and although it is usually solitary, it sometimes eats with other devils.
The Tasmanian Devil became extirpated on the Australian mainland about 400 years before European settlement in 1788. Because they were seen as a threat to livestock in Tasmania, devils were hunted until 1941, when they became officially protected. Since the late 1990s devil facial tumour disease has reduced the devil population significantly and now threatens the survival of the species, which may soon be listed as endangered. Programs are currently being undertaken by the Tasmanian government to reduce the impact of the disease.
The Tasmanian Devil became extirpated on the Australian mainland about 400 years before European settlement in 1788. Because they were seen as a threat to livestock in Tasmania, devils were hunted until 1941, when they became officially protected. Since the late 1990s devil facial tumour disease has reduced the devil population significantly and now threatens the survival of the species, which may soon be listed as endangered. Programs are currently being undertaken by the Tasmanian government to reduce the impact of the disease.
The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a thickset arboreal marsupial herbivore native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae.The Koala is found all along the eastern coast of Australia from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, and as far into the hinterland as there is enough rainfall to support suitable forests. The Koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The Koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia.
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