Chapter 1 : Endangered chimpanzees may experience drastic habitat loss within five years Based on the geographical location of their habitat, chimps are categorized into three different subspecies. These include the central chimpanzees (P. troglodytes troglodytes) from central Africa, the western chimpanzees from west-central Africa (P. t. verus) and the eastern chimpanzees from east-central Africa (P. t. schweinfurthii). All three subspecies are in a dire strait and, if not protected, could soon be staring down the barrel of extinction. January 20,, BioMed Central "Ngambe" is a chimpanzee rescued from illegal animal trafficking who now lives at the Limbe Wildlife Center in Cameroon. Paul Sesink Clee In central Cameroon, two different subspecies of chimpanzees live on opposite banks of the Sanaga River, the only instance of two different chimp subspecies living in the wild in a single country. The area is roughly at the geographic center of the range for all four known subspecies of these great apes. They are already threatened by illegal hunting and habitat loss to both logging and agricultural plantations. Now, among other findings, the scientists report that the two distinct populations of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee have closer ties to their habitats than previously anticipated. And their findings also suggest climate change could cause significant harm to chimpanzee populations due to habitat alterations. The research team, one of the few groups studying Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees in the wild, collected fecal and hair samples for genetic analyses. They also mapped the precise locations of those sample collection sites in addition to locations of reports of chimp sightings and evidence of activity including nests and tools. Together, these two ecosystems contain about 20 percent of all plant and animal species on the entire planet, and many of those species are endemicâ found only here in central Africa. These different rainforest ecosystems converge with savanna in central Cameroon forming a savanna-woodland mosaic known as an ecotone. Ecotones are thought to be important in driving variation and diversification of species all over the world. They also determined that the population in the ecotone diverged from the western rainforest population about 4, years ago â while still remaining closely related members of the same subspecies. In contrast, this subspecies as a whole diverged from the Central Chimpanzee subspecies Pan troglodytes troglodytes, whose populations live in Congo River Basin forests south of the Sanaga River, about, years ago or more. In subsequent modeling in a second paper, Mitchell and colleagues concluded that in the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, a significant amount of genetic difference could come from adaptation to different environments. In short, these chimps have changed in distinct, genetically noticeable ways, to their lives in different habitats. He and colleagues reached this conclusion based on combining detailed chimpanzee location data with the environmental characteristics of these locations. They then predicted how these habitats would change under climate change scenarios for years,, and While the team predicted little change in the mountainous rainforest habitat, the ecotone habitat of the second population was predicted to decline quickly under all scenarios by the year and could disappear almost entirely under the worst case scenario by With roughly half of the 6, Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees existing in the ecotone habitat of central Cameroon, the results suggest that this subspecies of chimpanzee is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The authors note that their models may be something of a worst-case scenario for climate change because they do not take into account the potential for these chimpanzee populations to adapt to the changes brought about by climate change, or to migrate to new areas with optimal conditions. On the other hand, chimpanzees continue to face other threats of habitat loss to human land uses, as well as illegal hunting. The governments of Cameroon and Nigeria have made important strides in the last five years to save their chimpanzee remaining populations. The papers published this week in BMC Evolutionary Biology will boost these efforts by providing a solid foundation for policy makers in these countries to make stronger arguments for additional protection in places, such as central Cameroon, which have often been overlooked in ape conservation planning activities. Chimpanzee study sheds light on natural history of HIV More information: Page 1
Chapter 2 : Chimpanzee Habitat: Places These Intelligent Apes Call Home Thousands of chimpanzees exist in captivity worldwide, 2, in the United States alone. Many are used as subjects in medical research. Others are zoo exhibits, entertainment props or pets. In the U.S. government designated all chimpanzees as endangered. This ended a longstanding legal distinction between wild and captive chimpanzees. Next Black rhino These are some of the wildlife populations in danger of becoming extinct if drastic conservation measures are not taken. Native to the deserts and grasslands of Namibia and Coastal East Africa, the black rhinoceros is one of the oldest mammals on Earth. Yet, conservationists have been fighting an uphill battle to save them. Black rhinos have two horns, which makes them especially attractive to poachers engaged in the illegal trade of rhino horn. There are less than 4, surviving in the world. In, however, that other species, the Baiji dolphin, was declared functionally extinct, due to the destruction of its food supply by human interference. Finless porpoises, known for their mischievous smiles and their gorilla-level intelligence, require an ample food supply to survive. And much like the food supply of the Baiji dolphin, it is now threatened by overfishing, pollution and ship movement. The World Wildlife Fund is currently working to reconnect more than 40 floodplain lakes with the main stem of the Yangtze River to restore seasonal flows, before these critically endangered creatures become the second species of dolphin to be wiped off the Earth completely because of humans. These days, an estimated mountain gorillas, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, live in the steep-sloped forests of Rwanda and neighboring Congo and Uganda, the last of their species on earth. The population has suffered from poaching, civil unrest -- including the war in Rwanda in the s and years of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- as well as the loss of their natural habitats to humans. They are listed as a critically endangered species by the World Wildlife Fund though their numbers have increased slightly in recent years because of conservation efforts. It is now believed there are less than 5, in total in the world. Once estimated at a population of 4, in the 20th century, they are believed to be extinct in the wild now, without a single sighting for more than 25 years. According to the World Wildlife Fund, they dwindled from 4, in the s to just by One of the most critically endangered species with the only ones alive in captivity. There are only five members of this sub-species left on the planet. Sudan, seen here, is the only remaining northern-white rhino male in the world. With only one male left, the future of northern white rhinos now depends solely on artificial methods of reproduction. They can run up to 37 miles per hour, leap more than 19 feet horizontally, and live up to 15 years 20 in captivity. Amur leopards are also unique in that the males often stay with females after mating, even helping to raise their young. Sadly, there are only around 60 Amur leopards left. In fact, this subspecies of leopard is considered one of the most critically endangered felines in the world. The biggest threat to the Amur leopard is the illegal wildlife trade. They are poached for their beautiful, spotted fur. They once lived throughout Sumatra, but now their habitats are mainly found in North Sumatra and Aceh. The species is currently listed as critically endangered by the WWF, with only an estimated 7, remaining. Efforts are being made to reintroduce orangutans rescued from illegal trade or being kept as pets into the wild. The Bornean orangutan is listed as endangered. They are about 20 feet long and weigh approximately five tons. These majestic creatures are critically endangered due to the destruction of their habitat by the logging, palm oil and rubber industries in Asia. This has resulted in the animals invading local villages, destroying homes and crops. Forest rangers and activists from the Wildlife Conservation Society are trying various methods to return them to the forest, including training them to keep away and hunting for illegal loggers. There are currently between 2, and 2, of the mammals left, confined to small patches of forest. Because only male Sumatran elephants have tusks, poaching has drastically skewed the sex ratio of this species, severely threatening breeding rates. Cross river gorillas can reach up to five-and-a-half feet tall and pounds. They are considered critically endangered, with less than of their kind left. They differ from other gorilla subspecies in that they are somewhat smaller with brown-grey coats and auburn colored chests. They are listed as critically endangered by the WWF. Often mistaken as reptiles, they are actually Page 2
mammals covered neck-to-toe in a body armor of scales. Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy in both Asia and Africa. As such, pangolins have become one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. It could scale steep slopes with ease, leap six times its body length and wrap its tail around its body to protect itself from the cold. In recent years, however, this powerful cat has become endangered due to several forms of conflict with its sole predator, humans. Animals that snow leopards traditionally hunt, like Argali sheep, are now also hunted by humans and, therefore, harder to come by. This has forced snow leopards to start killing livestock to survive, which has in turn caused local farmers to begin killing snow leopards to protect their livestock. These retaliatory killings, combined with habitat fragmentation and climate change, have diminished snow leopard populations to somewhere between 4, and 6, Male sperm whales can grow to be more than 60 feet long and females up to about 40 feet. While these torpedo-shaped mammals once numbered about 1. Now protected by the Endangered Species Act, their numbers are still recovering with around, of them in existence. There is also a distinctive population of sperm whales living in the Gulf of Mexico that scientists fear may be adversely affected by the Gulf Oil Disaster and all of the toxic fumes and chemical dispersants spread throughout their habitat. In this photo, a woman approaches the carcass of a foot sperm whale washed ashore on the Pacifica Beach near San Francisco, April 15, Ranging from 40 to 70 pounds, these animals gather in packs and hunt medium-sized animals of opportunity, at speeds of more than 44 miles per hour. The African wild dog population is currently estimated at somewhere between 3, and 5, Its numbers are dwindling due to viral diseases like rabies and distemper, habitat loss, and competition from larger predators like lions. In fact, cheetahs will often surrender a kill to one of these predators to avoid a fight. Male cheetahs will form groups of two or three and remain together for life. Female cheetahs are more solitary. They are threatened by both the growing scarcity of suitable habitats and the illegal trade in cubs as pets. Their numbers are thought to be between 60 and, making them some of the most endangered cats on the planet. Named for their unique shells, which are more leather-like than hard, these turtles grow up to 63 inches long and pounds. They are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems and help keep jellyfish populations in check. Sadly, though, Leatherback turtles are at risk of extinction due to intense egg collection and fishery bycatch. They have heavy black stripes and orange coats. Deforestation and poaching are the biggest threats. The market for tiger parts and products has a big impact on the survival of this critically endangered species as well. Page 3
Chapter 3 : Endangered species Ol Pejeta Conservancy The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final rule to classify all chimpanzees, both wild and captive, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Until this change, only wild chimpanzees were listed as endangered while captive chimpanzees were listed as threatened. Check new design of our homepage! Painful Reasons Why Chimps Chimpanzees are Endangered Chimpanzees are considered an endangered species, a condition for which humans are largely responsible. Read on to know more about why chimpanzees have come under threat. AnimalSake Staff Last Updated: Jan 22, Did You Know? According to some estimates, chimpanzee populations have dropped to one tenth of what they were at the start of the 20th century. Chimpanzees, commonly called chimps, belong to the Hominidae family. Their biological nomenclature is Pan troglodytes. They belong to the same family as the genera Gorilla gorillas, Homo humans and Pongo orangutans. The tropical rainforests of western and central Africa are the most suitable natural habitats for chimpanzees. They are known to have evolved in the same region, the same as us humans. Within the tropical forests, they mainly live in open savanna woodlands, grasslands and rainforests. Bonobos Pan paniscus, who are closely related to chimpanzees and humans, also live in the same habitat and are similarly affected by the threats faced by the chimps. Based on the geographical location of their habitat, chimps are categorized into three different subspecies. These include the central chimpanzees P. All three subspecies are in a dire strait and, if not protected, could soon be staring down the barrel of extinction. Why are Chimps Endangered? Reasons that pose major threats to this endangered species are massive destruction of their natural habitat, capture for the purpose of trading and hunting them down for the consumption of their meat. Destruction of Habitat There was a time when more than one million chimpanzees used to live in the forests of at least 25 countries in Africa. At present the figure has gone down to below,! This drastic decrease in the number of chimpanzees began in Now, there are hardly 6 countries in Africa which house healthy populations of chimpanzees. The rest of the continent is largely unable to sustain large populations of these apes. More and more forest land is destroyed by the day, as farms take their place. Roads cut into forests, further increasing harmful human influence on the rainforests, and ever-expanding settlements on the edge of forests constantly push into the jungle, slowly but steadily eradicating neighboring patches of forests. Continuous loss of habitat is without doubt the single most important reason for the chimpanzees becoming endangered. Unlawful Captivation Chimps are frequently caught illegally and sold as pets. Young chimps are often pursued due to their adorable appearance and the consequently high price enthusiastic owners are willing to pay for them. However, it is unethical, unsafe, and often illegal to keep them incarcerated in our homes. Unlike domesticated animals such as dogs or cats, they are wild animals and they need to dwell in their natural environment. If chimpanzees are not treated properly, an adult chimpanzee can easily overpower its owner, causing potentially fatal injuries. Several people have died from chimp attacks, and consequently the "guilty" animal has had to be put down. Unfortunately, most chimps get caught by their captors before they reach adulthood and thus spend the rest of their lives cooped up in miserable conditions. Conservationists have estimated that although protection for pet chimpanzees is much more efficient nowadays, only one in ten pet chimps is rescued. Chimpanzees are prized bushmeat, and are also exported to Western countries such as France and England. It is estimated at least chimps are killed every year. Chimpanzees can catch many diseases from human beings, and many have died from human-borne diseases, particularly the ebola virus. Several conservationists are trying to spread awareness among people and save these endangered animals from extinction. Chimpanzees are the closest evolutionary relatives of us humans. Studying these animals can provide valuable information about our own emergence and development. Sadly, that part of our lineage is slowly being destroyed by our own harmful activities in the pristine habitat of chimps. Page 4
Chapter 4 : Bonobo - Critically endangered species and beloved animals at risk - Pictures - CBS News Discuss the causes and impact of habitat loss of species; Use a world map to match species, habitats, countries and continents for an effective and fun geography lesson ; Have children pick an endangered species from the game cards. Discuss the habitat in which it lives. They are very social animals, and live in packs dominated by a monogamous breeding pair. They are ruthless and efficient hunters; packs of up to 20 can cooperate to take down prey as big as wildebeests. These animals are nomadic, which is why seeing them on Ol Pejeta is always a treat. African wild dogs are listed as endangered by IUCN, with the wild population considered to be around 6, They are facing drastic habitat loss as human settlements expand, as well as persecution from livestock owners trying to protect their stock. Wild dogs are also vulnerable to many of the diseases that affect domestic dogs, and these can have devastating consequences on entire packs. Between them, the packs have produced 18 pups. With a solid supply of prey and protected rangelands, Ol Pejeta is the ideal habitat for these animals. Through strategic fencing, we have worked hard to reduce the risk of the dogs running into conflict with neighbouring communities, and to reduce the risk of local pastoralists losing their cattle to hungry packs. We also work closely with the KWS veterinary units to attend to any injuries or illnesses. They are listed as endangered, with current global population estimates between 1, and 2, The Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem remains a vital area in the conservation of this species. At least 22 of these hybrids have been individually identified in the Conservancy. To diversify the gene pool in the enclosure, Ol Pejeta then partnered with nearby Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in to move eight females from Lewa to Ol Pejeta. As the population increases, there are future plans to move some individuals out of the enclosure back into the surrounding areas to boost wider populations. Predation by lions and spotted hyenas is thought to be the biggest threat to the Ol Pejeta population. The fastest land mammal on earth is in decline. The main threats facing cheetah are habitat loss, disease and low genetic diversity. Ol Pejeta is home to 28 cheetah, each of whom can be individually identified by the Ecological Monitoring Unit by their unique tail rings. Close monitoring of the Ol Pejeta population will help our wildlife teams to better understand the status of the species, and will help shape plans for cheetah conservation in Laikipia. Who would win in a marathon, a cheetah or a wild dog? Cheetahs can reach speeds of up to kilometres per hour, earning them the title of the fastest land mammal on earth. However, they can only sustain this speed in short sharp bursts, unlike, for example the African wild dog. Wild dogs can sustain speeds of 45 kilometres an hour for very long distances, and if it were a marathon race, the wild dog would take first place over the cheetah any day. While lions may be at the top of the big cat hierarchy, they are actually listed as vulnerable by IUCN, due to habitat loss, hunting, and poisoning. Lions are the most social of the big cats, and build their prides around related females who collectively hunt and rear offspring. Males are exiled from the pride between two and three years old. Young males ousted from their birth pride often form a coalition, as lions hunt more effectively in teams. When they are strong enough, these young males will challenge the dominant male of a pride in an attempt to win over the territory and the females. Insufficient prey could lead to lions targeting rhino calves, or livestock; both of which would be disastrous. Page 5
Chapter 5 : Chimpanzee Facts - Photos - Earth's Endangered Creatures Dramatic habitat loss by threatens the population of the planet's most endangered chimp subspecies, according to new research. The work suggests that climate change could do more harm to. WildLife Why are Chimpanzees Endangered Endangered Apes Chimpanzees are in danger of dying out and in the next 50 years they could become extinct. Prominent among the responsible factors is a human disturbance which is pushing many chimps to the brink of extinction. Once they were widespread all across the 25 Africa countries but currently they are found in no more than 21 countries. Why are Chimpanzees Endangered In the beginning of the twentieth century there were about one million chimpanzees but by the late s the numbers have dropped down to only, There are about, to, common chimpanzees left in the wild. Currently they have become extinct in many countries and endangered in all others. There are about 29, to 50, bonobos remaining in the wild. They also face same threats such as poaching, bushmeat, habitat loss, and hunting. Their population is thought to have significantly declined in the last 30 years. Illegal Trading The young chimpanzees are often taken either for scientific experiments or for selling to private zoos. This illegal trading has caused the wild population to deteriorate rather quickly. It offers an easy source of food. Chimps are not only hunted for meat but their body parts are used in several traditional medicines. A young chimp is cracking nuts with a stone. Credit Luncz et al. The apes have been pushed far back so that the humans could encroach what is rightfully theirs. As chimps and humans are immediate relatives the disease is far more likely to transmit from one to the other. Wide-scale Deforestation The wide-scale deforestation for agricultural purposes brings chimps to confront humans. Chimps must confront humans while moving through their boundariesâ a boundary which had once belonged to chimps only. This is indeed a dangerous thing for chimps to do because unlike animals humans always find their way to wipe out other species from their habitats. Some of these Great apes are protected but the areas in which chimps live are too remote and large that it is hard to enforce law. However the causes may be, the future of our forest brothers is at stake and the worst part is that we and only we are responsible for this calamity. Page 6
Chapter 6 : Painful Reasons Why Chimps (Chimpanzees) are Endangered Why are Chimpanzees Endangered. In the beginning of the twentieth century there were about one million chimpanzees but by the late s the numbers have dropped down to only, There are about, to, common chimpanzees left in the wild. Currently they have become extinct in many countries and endangered in all others. Check new design of our homepage! Find out more about these intelligent apes and how their habitat influences them. AnimalSake Staff Last Updated: Feb 16, Chimpanzees inhabit the tropical rainforests and grasslands of central and western Africa. While they spend a considerable amount of time on the ground, they are primarily arboreal tree-dwelling. Rainforests usually feature a leaf canopy, which prevents a large majority of sunlight from reaching the ground. Chimpanzees live near the leaf canopy, and have adapted excellently to their natural habitat. They avoid semi-arid savannas due to the lack of sufficient foliage. It has not been determined where chimpanzees originated, but fossils found in Kenya show that chimpanzees were present in that region about 2 million years ago Ma. Taking into account that humans are considered to have originated in the same region approx. Chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans share the family Hominidae with humans, making them - especially chimps and bonobos - our own closest evolutionary relative. Central Chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes troglodytes Blue: Although they live in a heavily hydrated habitat, and require a stable source of water, chimpanzees and bonobos are not good swimmers. This has led to a peculiar distribution of the two populations around the Congo river. Referring to the map given above, a gap can be readily observed between the chimpanzee subpopulations, shown in blue and purple, and the bonobo population, shown in red. This gap is actually the Congo river, which acts as a natural boundary between the two species. The inability of apes to swim is also put to good use in zoos, by placing water moats before the fences, making it harder for the primate to escape. Palate of the Apes Chimpanzees rely on fruits for a major percentage of their diet called, incidentally, a frugivorous diet, thus necessitating a habitat with plenty of fruit-bearing trees. They also feed on various other plant parts, such as seeds and leaves. The evergreen rainforests inhabited by chimps are one of the few ecosystems that can fulfill their collective needs. Previously thought to be entirely herbivorous, Dr. Most of their carnivorous feeding occurs in the form of insects, which thrive in the warm, humid rainforest climate. Groups of chimpanzees also frequently hunt smaller primates in co-ordinated attacks, using their densely forested habitat to their advantage. They even assign specific tasks to individual chimps during the hunt, such as chasing, blocking and ambushing the prey. The chasers maneuver the prey - usually colobus monkeys - to a pre-determined location, where the ambushers lie in wait. The blockers do the job of not letting the prey escape via any other possible channels. They use stones to crack open various nuts. They also build arboreal nests using branches and leaves, and may use large branches to fend off predators. The abundance of foliage, insects and other primate and mammalian prey, explains why chimpanzees prefer the habitat. However, many subpopulations are being forced to migrate to possibly unfavorable habitats, due to human encroachment leading to the destruction of their preferred habitat. Although chimpanzees are arguably the most adaptable of apes, the scale of the enforced mass migration is alarming. The Wrath of Man Not many predators pose a significant threat to an adult male chimpanzee. Thus, the greatest threat to chimpanzees comes from habitat destruction precipitated by humans. More than 1 million hectares of tropical rainforests have been cut down in unsustainable fashion, destroying prime chimpanzee habitat. Chimps can adjust to more arid locations over time, but it is not the ideal habitat for this forest-dwelling animal. Juvenile chimpanzees are at risk from numerous predators, but they are usually protected collectively by the tribe. A lesser threat comes from the pathogens that humans carry. The next time you laugh at the boisterous, playful chimp in the zoo, the least you can do is spare a thought for the travails its wild cousins currently face. Page 7
Chapter 7 : Endangered Habitats - UEN Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Four subspecies have been identified, based on differences in appearance and distribution: There is a wide range of behavioural differences between groups from different regions, so the loss of any one group represents a loss of cultural as well as biological heritage. Physical description The characteristic chimpanzee shape includes arms that extend beyond the knees, opposable thumbs, and a prominent mouth. The skin on the face, ears, palms, and soles of the feet is bare, and the rest of the body is covered with brown to black hair. Chimpanzees usually move on the ground, although during the day they mostly stay in trees, where they also sleep in makeshift nests made with vegetation. This species walks "on all four", but individuals can also walk on their legs for more than a kilometre. Young individuals sometimes swing from branch to branch. Social structure Chimpanzees are highly social animals. Their communities consist of loose and flexible groups of males and females fusion-fission societies within a fixed home range, led by a dominant male. Members join and leave these communities freely, depending among other on their reproductive status and the availability of resources. Apart from the dominant leader, there are also groups of individuals with some level of authority. Communities of about 50 individuals each have been reported in forest, woodland and savanna habitat, but overall size range is around Subgroups may include solitary individuals or diverse groups of both sexes and all ages. These aggregations are temporary and constantly change in composition, regardless of gender and age. Life cycle Breeding occurs throughout the year. Following a gestation period ranging from and days, females give birth to a single young, and occasionally twins, every years. Of these offspring, about three will survive. It weans at 3. Although chimpanzees reach sexual maturity at about 7 years, females do not produce offspring until they reach years of age. Chimpanzees may live until they are over Chimpanzees eat with their hands, which they also use to throw objects at enemies and to create tools. Notably, they will poke a stick into a termite mound to feed on the insects, and crack nuts open. The animals forage during the day for hours, with peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon. Depending on the fruiting times of the plants they feed on, activities may shift seasonally. Chimpanzees sometimes stalk, kill and eat other primates or young antelopes, and may hunt co-operatively. Chapter 8 : Endangered habitats Environment The Guardian Chimps can adjust to more arid locations over time, but it is not the ideal habitat for this forest-dwelling animal. Among predators, leopards, who share the chimpanzees' habitat, cause the largest number of kills. Chapter 9 : 3 Serious Threats To Endangered Chimpanzee Habitat Care2 Causes Other British species of animals and plants have become extinct during the last few hundred years and many more are endangered today. Although conservation groups are working to protect wildlife, natural habitats are still being destroyed. Page 8