A Journey of Art and Soul for the Earth

by Rama, the Elephant who Paints, Calley O'Neill and Jeb Barsh

THE ENDANGERED ONES: STATUS REPORTS

The cutting of primeval forest and other disasters, fueled by the demands of growing human populations, are the overriding threat to biological diversity everywhere.

--E. O. Wilson, biologist, 1992

The most comprehensive assessment of the world’s mammals confirms that we face an extinction crisis, with almost one in four mammals at risk of disappearing forever.  We must act now to bring these species back from the brink of extinction. 

The following is a list of the 36 animals in The Rama Exhibition.  Few people realize in their hearts that Critically Endangered, Endangered and Threatened mean that species so designated are in danger of extinction within the medium term future.  Endangered and Threatened are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service status designations related to the Endangered Species Act.  Appendix II and I are designations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).  The Endangered species in Appendix I are considered to be in danger of extinction now.  The Threatened species in Appendix II are those that will become endangered if trade in these animals and their parts (fur, feathers, skin, tusks, horns, etc.) is not regulated.  There are domestic and international regulations on trade in animals.  Some of these species are protected, but there are hundreds of others that are not.

All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.

--St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment

African Slender-Snouted Crocodile (Crocodylus cataphractus) Endangered, CITES l

Distributed widely through Central and West Africa, their population is declining mainly due to illegal hunting for their skins, although subsistence hunting and habitat destruction have accelerated the process.

Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) Endangered, CITES l

The population of the Amur leopard is estimated at approximately 40 mature males.  The Russian range of this species shrank by nearly 80 percent between the years 1970-1983.  The remaining population is in serious decline.

Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) Endangered, CITES l

The Amur tiger’s effective population size is estimated at approximately 250 mature individuals, with a declining trend, and with no sub-population containing more than 50 mature individuals. Only 20percent of the Russian tiger population is found in protected areas.

Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Endangered, CITES l

Listed as endangered since 1986 due to habitat losses and poaching for the ivory trade.  There are many conservation efforts under way.  Elephants are protected internationally against poaching and trading.

Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa celebensis) Endangered, CITES l

Native to Sulawesi, Togian Sula, and Buru Islands in Indonesia, these rare pigs are critically endangered due to hunting and habitat loss, with habitat loss due to development in forests near rivers and streams.

Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) Endangered, CITES l

The population of black rhino has declined 90 percent over the last sixty years, reaching a low of 2,410 in 1995. However, since then, numbers have steadily increased to reach 3,100 by 2001. The main threat is poaching for the animal’s horn for the ivory trade.

California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) Endangered, CITES l

After removal of all surviving birds into captivity in 1987, an intensive conservation program involving reintroduction and release of captive-bred birds has led to a tiny but increasing population of the species in the wild. The Oregon Zoo houses one of four captive breeding populations, coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Endangered, CITES l

Chimpanzees have had significant declines in population over the past 30 years and are expected to continue declining due to high levels of exploitation (bushmeat trade), loss of habitat, and habitat fragmentation due to expanding human activities.

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytsch) Threatened and some populations Endangered

Known also as King Salmon, native to the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco northwest to Alaska, Chinooks are threatened by water shortage as a result of water diversion for dams and agricultural water use, warming water due to climate change, loss of riparian canopy, unsustainable fishing practices, and an imbalance in predator populations.

Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Threatened and some populations Endangered

Threatened along the Oregon and California coastal zone, Coho face grave threats to their freshwater habitats. Coho habitat has been severely degraded over the past century, due to poor land use practices (such as mining, livestock grazing, and lumber operations) and climate change resulting in rising water temperatures, increased river siltation from erosion, low water flows, and a lack of habitat complexity in historic Coho streams.

Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza) CITES ll

Colobus monkeys live in the forests of Central Africa. They are threatened due to habitat encroachment by human expansion, the destruction of forests, and over-hunting. Colobus fur coats were the rage in the 1920’s and 30’s and are sold even today in Africa, although they are not used in traditional costumes.

Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Threatened, CITES ll

Desert Tortoise populations have declined more than 90percent since the 1980’s due to URDS – upper respiratory disease syndrome, illegal pet trade, urban expansion on desert lands, and cattle grazing which has destroyed their habitat and increased the numbers of ravens, the primary predator of hatchlings. Federal, state, and local wildlife agencies have conservation programs to help with their recovery. It is unlawful to touch, harm, or harass a wild Desert Tortoise.

Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus) CITES ll

These arboreal snakes are not listed as endangered, but their tropical lowland rain forest habitats in South America are rapidly disappearing due to agricultural use and logging. Tree boas are still collected for the illegal pet trade.

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Preliminary population estimates suggest a decline in the total population has taken place, which if sustained could mean the species will warrant listing in a higher category of threat. Efforts are currently underway to census giraffe populations more accurately, which will enable a more thorough determination of the conservation status of species.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) CITES ll

Although this species is listed as least concern, Golden Eagles have become extinct in regions where they were once known to live. They have all but disappeared from Ireland and Lebanon. More research is needed to truly quantify the population worldwide.

Giant South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) CITES II

There is a survival crisis facing the world’s freshwater turtles due to habitat destruction and fragmentation, illegal pet trade, pollution, climate change, and exploitation for meat, oil, and eggs.

Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) variable listings depending on state; Endangered, Threatened, or delisted

Originally, the grey wolf was the world’s most widely distributed mammal. It has become extinct in much of Western Europe, Mexico, and much of the United States.  Presently, their populations are listed as recovered in the Rocky Mountain and Great Lake regions, but Grey Wolves are still considered endangered in most of the lower 48 states. 

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) CITES ll

The most recent population estimates suggest that over the past 10 years there has been a 7-20 percent decline in common Hippo populations. Over three generations (approximately 30 years), it is likely that population reductions will exceed a 30 percent decline due to human encroachment and poaching for meat, fat, hides, and ivory.

Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) CITES l

This species has undergone extreme population fluctuations, close to one order of magnitude at major colonies in Chile. However, an overall reduction in the number of breeding colonies indicates that there is probably an ongoing underlying rapid decline in numbers.

Inca Tern (Larosterna inca)

This coastal seabird is endemic to Peru and Chile and listed as near threatened due to a moderately rapid decline. Prior to the guano industry, the harvesting of bird droppings for fertilizer, which began in the 1800’s, there were millions of Incan Terns.  There are currently estimated to be 150,000 remaining. The fishing of anchovies, an important food source for the birds, has been banned in Peru.

Lion (Panthera leo) CITES ll

An estimated species population reduction of approximately 50 percent since the 1970’s, primarily the result of hunting, poaching, and indiscriminate killing in defense of humans and livestock, prey depletion, and diseases from domestic animals.

Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) CITES l

Although the quantitative data on population sizes or trends are lacking, it is suspected that the global population of Sun Bears has declined by over 30 percent over the past 30 years. Sun Bear numbers have been reduced by habitat destruction, Asian pet trade, and uncontrolled exploitation for body parts in Asia. They have also been found on bear ‘bile farms’ under inhumane conditions.

Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) Endangered, CITES l

Found in tropical rainforests in Africa, these primates are in drastic decline across their range due to intense pressure from habitat destruction and increased demands for their meat. Although common in zoos, they are threatened with complete extinction in the wild.

North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) CITES ll

By the early 1900’s, river otters had declined throughout large portions of their historic range in North America. Although greatly impacted by habitat destruction and pollution, improvements to water quality and furbearer management techniques have enabled river otters to reclaim portions of their range in many areas.

Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) Threatened, CITES ll

This species prefers old growth forest with high tree canopy and is very territorial and sensitive to habitat disturbance. The biggest threats to remaining populations are logging and habitat fragmentation, as well as fire and the fairly recent invasion of the Barred Owl, which is expanding its population west from the eastern United States.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis mitis) Endangered, CITES l

Only a small remnant population of ocelots is found north of the Rio Grande in the United States, estimated at 80-120 animals. In Mexico it has disappeared from much of its historic range on the west coast. The population is decreasing primarily due to habitat loss and hunting. The species is protected across most of its range in the United States and Central and South America.

Oregon Silverspot Butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta) Threatened

Declared a federally threatened species in 1980, this butterfly lives primarily in the humid coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest. Several natural and manmade factors challenge its survival. As human population growth continues, it quickly encroaches upon and affects the habitat of the Silverspot. In 1999 The Fish and Wildlife Service, the Oregon Zoo, and Lewis and Clark College began a Captive Rearing and Release Program to aid in its recovery.

Blue Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius)

Found mostly in the rainforests of Central and South America, their numbers are declining due to habitat loss from logging and farming. The poison dart frog’s secretions are currently being studied for use in new medications.

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Threatened, CITES ll

Global climate change, resulting in the thinning of sea ice, poses a substantial threat to the habitat of polar bears, the world’s largest bear. They are dependant on ice for hunting seals, their main food source. Less available food impacts their ability to reproduce and reduces the number of cubs. While some scientists speculate that polar bears might become extinct within 100 years from now, a more realistic evaluation is 30 percent population reduction in the next 45 years.

Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) Endangered, (Columbia Basin population)

During the winter months, 99% of the pygmy rabbit’s diet is sagebrush.  It is the loss of the sagebrush habitat due to cattle grazing and conversion of land to farming in parts of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, which has led to the serious decline of this species. Despite the best efforts of the Oregon Zoo, Washington State University, and NW Trek Wildlife Park, captive breeding efforts have not been very successful.

Rodrigues Flying Fox (Pteropus rodricensis) Endangered, CITES ll

Listed as critically endangered because the global population is restricted to a single location and undergoes extreme fluctuation due to tropical cyclones. Deforestation for agriculture and firewood contributes to the decline. Lack of forest cover leaves no shelter from cyclones, which have had a devastating long-term effect on the number of bats.

Steller’s Northern Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Threatened, part of population Endangered

Western Steller sea lion populations near Alaska have declined by 70-80% since the 1970’s. Their decline appears to be due to complex factors including overfishing and climate change, which have shifted the food chain in the area. Currently they appear to be more susceptible to contaminants, disease, and predation by orcas.

Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus abelii) Endangered, CITES l

The orangutan shares about 96.4% of our human DNA and is one of our closest primate relatives. There has been an estimated decline of over 80% over the last 75 years.  This decline continues, as forests within the range are under major threat.  Most orangutans live outside protected areas, where their habitat is subject to fire, logging, and conversion to monoculture such as palm oil plantations. Baby orangutans are also in high demand in the illegal pet trade, and capturing them requires killing their mother.

Western Bumble Bee (Bombus occidentalis)

Once very common in the western United States and western Canada, the Western Bumble Bee population has nearly disappeared from southern British Columbia to central California. This species of bumblebee has been raised commercially for use in greenhouse pollination of many food crops. The threats they face are similar to those faced by many bee populations worldwide. The major threats include spread of pests and diseases by the commercial bumblebee industry, habitat destruction or fragmentation, pesticides, introduction of invasive plants and insects, and climate change.

Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons) Critically endangered

Found in only small fragmented populations and extinct in over 95% of its former range, this species has declined because of habitat loss, hunting, and contact with domestic pig species which has resulted in hybridization and disease.

Hope is believing in spite of the evidence.

–Michael Toms, Founder, New Dimensions Internet Radio