Download 2) Antarctica- Blue Whale Biological Role: Diet of small crustaceans

2) Antarctica- Blue Whale
Biological Role: Diet of small crustaceans known as krill. Were originally abundant
in nearly all oceans on Earth. They have no predators.
Instrumental Value: Hunted for blubber, which was boiled down to make blubber
oil and whale oil. Blue whale makes 50 tons of oil.
Human Activities: Nearly hunted to extinction by whalers
3) Africa-Cheetah
Biological Role: Extremely fast, predator. Feeds on gazelles, hares, and wildebeest
calves. It lives in the dry parts of southern Africa.
Instrumental Value: It has fur that can be sold and used in clothing.
Human Activities: Habitat being destroyed by humans, which has reduced the prey
on which it feeds.
4) Australia-Banded Hare Wallaby
Biological Role: Found in Western Australia. Feeds at night and eat grasses, fruit
and a variety of shrubs and plants.
Instrumental Value: None
Human Activities: Clearing of vegetation for agriculture has caused its decline,
however it is also caused by non-human activities such as competition for food with
non native mammals and predation by nonnative animals like cats and foxes.
5) Europe- Apennine Chamois
Biological Role: Lives on rock faces and pastures lands at heights above 1700
meters. In winter it lives in the woods. Diet consists of grasses, leaves, buds, shoots
and fungi. Adult males live in solidarity, and groups consist of females, young males
and kids.
Instrumental Value: Humans have hunted these animals close to extinction.
Humans want their coats and hook shaped horns.
Human Activities: Overhunting/poaching has led to the decline of this species. Its
habitat has been destroyed and suffers space and food competition. There have been
set quotes and limits on hunting this species.
6) South America-Bald Uakari
Biological Role: Uakaris prefer swampy or flooded tropical forests that are found
along small rivers and lakes for their habitat. They are intelligent and form large
social groups of up to 100 individuals. They are active only in the day and at night
climb high into trees and sleep. Uakaris are herbivores and feed on seas, grain, ripe
fruits, leaves, nectar and insects. Mating occurs between October and May. Females
give birth to one young every two years.
Instrumental Value: Uakaris have long thick while or red fur and are often hunted
for human wants.
Human Activities: The Uakaris have declined rapidly over the last 30 years mainly
due to over hunting and habitat destruction. Many tropical rain forests were
destroyed for human exploitation and logging of hard woods which led to their
decline.
7) Asia-Giant Panda
Biological Role: Eat mostly bamboo leaves and shoots. Also eat fruit, berries, fungi,
grass, small mammals, birds and fish. Pandas live alone most of their lives-only
coming together when it is time to mate. Females give birth to 1-2 cubs. Have very
strong jaws and molar teeth to crush tough bamboo stems. Humans are the main
predator but leopards will prey upon young cubs.
Instrumental Value: Humans hunt giant pandas because they want their fur. It can
be solid as it is or made into clothes.
Human Activities: The cause of the decline in giant panda is habitat destruction
and poaching. The panda is heavily dependent on its main food source, bamboo,
which is becoming rare in its habitat. In an effort to save this species, the World
Wildlife Fund, and the Chinese Ministry of Forestry have developed a conservation
management plan outline 14 new panda reserves and five corridors connecting
patches of panda habitats. This species is also legally protected to prevent poaching.
Conclusion/Analysis Questions
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides a program for the conservation of
threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are
found. It maintains a worldwide list of endangered species. Species include
birds,insects, fish, reptiles, mammals,crustaceans,flowers grasses and trees. The law
also prohibits any action that causes a "taking" of any listed species of endangered
fish or wildlife. Likewise, import, export, interstate, and foreign commerce of listed
species are all generally prohibited. CITES (the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement
between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of
wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.