New data shows that humpback whale populations have been growing steadily over recent decades, and as a result, the U.S. government may take the humpback whale off the endangered species list.

Last year, the National Marine Fisheries Service, an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), received results from an extensive study showing that the north Pacific humpback whale population has been growing 4-7% a year over the past few decades.

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Greenpacks is not the only folk that love animals.  The Chinese do, too. And since I (Bill) have an interest in China, I thought I’d introduce them here and answer one question.

Here are the 12 New Year/Zodiac animals -

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The Obama administration has said its open season on hunting of gray wolves in Idaho. Red Riding Hood will be safe again on her way to grandma’s house.

Bush’s administration removed the wolves from the federal endangered species list in Montana and Idaho. Earthjustice says it is too early. They prefer the Big Bad Wolf to Little Red.

Wolves take a huge toll on big game animals – elk, for example and little girls.

Wyoming is still a safe haven for wolves if the furry fellows can just figure out where the state lines are.

Once on verge of losing the wolves altogether, their restoration is considered one of the greatest conservation achievements in US history— depending on whether or not you ask the folk of fairy tales.

Still, a wolf is a creature that has been blessed with life on this planet. There is a place for them and the balance ought not be kept with guns. But, neither should they be allowed to eat little girls or their grandmothers.

Right?

[via MotherJones] Images by douglas-brown and dobak (1+2)

Every time we talk about why each threatened species got so close to disappearing forever, the inevitable answer seems to be human activity (be it habitat destruction or excessive hunting).

The Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys are one of the rarest primates on Earth. Though only 200 of them exist, new hope emerged as another group of angry-looking monkeys has been found in wild in Vietnam by a group of scientists. While moving through the dense forests, they uncovered a rare treasure – 20 Tonkin monkeys that had three young among them, indicating a vibrant clan and active breeding.

Their initial reaction to human contact was panic and danger which shows that hunting is still prevalent in these lands as the snub-nosed monkeys recognize people as a threat. That means that the whole clan should be protected because there is a long and hard road to recovery before we they get out of the “Red Zone”. Meanwhile locals, the Vietnamese government and the conversational organizations are working hard to make sure that we do not lose them.

Source: DailyMail

For some of us who have grown up watching the Cheetah hunt down prey in all its splendor and magnificence over prime time Discovery television, it is hard to even believe what we has been revealed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Cheetah – the fastest land animal in the world, has now been officially added to the list of Endangered Species by the UNEP. That means that this sprint king of nature is now on the verge of disappearing from the planet forever, unless conservation steps are not taken with immediate effect.

The UNEP stated that the Cheetah is already extinct in 18 countries that it previously roamed due to loss of natural habitat, hunting and lack of a proper captive breeding program. The survey claims that less than 10,000 of these magnificent animals are left in Africa today, while only 50 of them roam in Asia – a continent where they once were found in plenty.

Along with the cheetah, 21 animal species were named in a UN Wildlife Treaty, including three dolphin families, six bird species and African wild dogs.

The world is currently facing a sixth wave of extinctions mainly as a result of human impacts and despite 100 government organizations and 70 independent environment groups meeting and passing resolutions at Rome, it will be hard to stop the wave if the promises are not translated into action soon.

The cheetahs need vast hunting grounds, good bush cover and the sparse trees to both kill and guard its prey. With humans clearing the forests at an incredible pace and vast plains shrinking rapidly, the cheetah is being driven quickly to extinction.

Even though there are other animals on the list of extinction, nothing will hit us harder than the lack of the fastest land animal on the planet, if at all it disappears. One surely hopes that after this new warning signal from UNEP, the world wakes up and takes notice before that pulsating hunt at 90 mph on the African Savanna is gone forever.

Lovely isn’t it ?

Source: DailyMail

All Images courtesy of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6