Post Delay

I apologize for this late notification but unfortunately the final Australian post will not be released this weekend. As you might have read on my "About" page, I always put school as #1 on my priorities list, and with the State testing (SBAC) just finished and finals coming soon, blogging will have to step down a bit. I'm not going to say I don't have time--I do have the time--but I just have to spend it on school and preparing for finals and tests at the end of the school year.

However, this doesn't mean the Australian topic is done for good. I will release the final post hopefully next week or the week after that. Unfortunately that does also mean everything else I had planned for will have to be pushed back by a couple of weeks as well.

I apologize for the inconvenience, and hope you will be patient enough to wait through the next two weeks! I look forward to seeing your comments on my next blog post.

~Cheri (WeForWildlife)

Tiny Cousins

Take a close look at the picture below. Don't peek at the name! What animal do you think it is? Did you guess kangaroo? Nice try, but your answer is not quite right. It's actually a wallaby!

Wallaby

Image courtesy of National Geographic

Classification: Mammal (marsupial)
Size: 22-70 in / 55-178 cm
Weight: 4-53 lb / 2-24 kg
Diet: Herbivorous
Lifespan: 9 years (in the wild)
Appearance: may vary depending on habitat; long, sturdy tail
Status: 

Least of concern to somewhat threatened. They may vary depending on their habitat (bush, rock, etc.) but the groups at the biggest risk are the rock wallaby and the parma wallaby.

This interesting species is actually a smaller cousin of the kangaroo (mentioned in last week's blog post). They are categorized into many smaller "groups" usually according to their habitat, such as the rock wallaby, brush wallaby, and tammar wallaby. Even among these smaller groups, they split into more subspecies! Altogether, the wallabies almost cover the whole Australia continent:

Map from National Geographic

The groups we should be most concerned about are the rock wallaby and the parma wallaby. Here is each species' story:

Rock Wallaby: Although once pretty common, the rock wallaby is starting to lose its numbers, and is regarded as endangered in New South Wales, Australia. The main factors contributing to their decline include habitat destruction (logging, clearing land, etc) and a changed pattern wildfires take when sweeping across the landscape. Their main predator is the fox, and must compete against farm livestock and sometimes rabbits for food sources. A long time ago, hunting for their furs was also a contribution to their shaky population, but it is no longer an issue anymore. Exactly how endangered are rock wallabies? According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, there are only two colonies left in NSW, Australia.

Parma Wallaby: This species has an interesting story. Thought to be extinct since the late 1800's, people almost forgot about them until they met a miracle. While trying to decrease the tammar wallaby population (which were overcrowding their habitat), workers there discovered that those wallabies were not tammars--they were parma wallabies! This sparked a "refreshed" interest in conserving and maintaining the parma wallaby population. The San Diego Zoo/Safari Park and their Global Wildlife Conservancy is helping bring these species back up to renewed, plentiful numbers.

I think now is the time for some clarification between kangaroos and wallabies (which some might have been confused about since last week)

Kangaroo vs. Wallaby
There one main, big difference between the kangaroo and wallaby--its size. Kangaroos are much larger, varying to hip height to the size of a full grown man. Wallabies are much smaller (tiny cousins) and their hind legs and feet are not as big in proportion. However, both have strong tails used to prop themselves up, and they all belong to the Macropodidae family, which means "big feet."

Conservation
Although some wallaby species are not as endangered as others, it is important to keep all species safe and high in numbers. Big organizations such as WWF and SDZ are using research and education to spread awareness. What will you do? Not all actions that save animals are the stereotypic "heroic" ones. Simple things, like saving a bit of water, or recycling just one for bottle each day, can help preserve the environment, which in turn, will help the animals and their habitat. More great conservation organizations and websites will be posted in next week's article.

Speaking of next week, what will you learn? Just as the brief overview on a post a couple weeks ago had stated, next week will be the last post of the Australian Outback theme. But don't turn that grin of yours upside down! Next week, I will give you a detailed description of great Outback places to visit and see in person the animals we've covered this month. Great tours, sights, attractions, and maybe even lodging and pricing will be included. Whoa, that's a lot of work for me! In addition, I will also put up a list of great conservation programs, as well as their websites, for all of us to gain some more inspiration on what we can do. 

Sources:
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/rock_wallaby/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/wallaby/http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/rock_wallaby/
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/kangaroo-wallaby

Majestic Marsupials

Happy (late) Mother's Day! It's May 10, already! There's only 2-3 weeks left of May, and that means I have to start wrapping up the Australian theme. Based on the comments and requests I've received, here is a quick layout of the next few weeks:

Today, 5/10: Red Kangaroo
Sun 5/17: Wallaby
Sun 5/24: Koala
Sun 5/31: Wrap Up Post

The Wrap Up Post will basically be a quick review of the animals I've blogged about this month, and I'll leave some suggestions and travel tips for these animals, like nice national parks and sights to see. But enough talking, let's get started!

It's Sunday, time for a new post. I asked you guys to comment on what you wanted me to blog on last week, and some said the kangaroo. Since the type of kangaroo wasn't specified, I decided on the most recognizable--the red kangaroo.

Red Kangaroo

Image courtesy of National Geographic

Classification: Mammal (marsupial)
Size: 6.2-8.9 ft / 1.9-2.7 m
Weight: 200 lb / 90 kg
Diet: Herbivorous
Lifespan: 23 years (in the wild)
Appearance: reddish brown; deer-like head; females smaller and have bluish-gray hue
Status: 

Least of concern! Still pretty plentiful. Don't be too careless though, they could potentially become endangered...
Fun Fact: A group of red kangaroos is called a mob.

Just like Kanga and Roo in Winnie the Pooh, red kangaroos are marsupials whose babies stay hidden in their mother's pouches until two months old. Their strong hind legs allow them leap up to 25 feet and jump 6 feet high. Here is a map of where red kangaroos live:

Map from National Geographic

Be warned, though! These kangaroos have quite a powerful punch. But no, they don't only punch with their front legs--they also "box" with their hind legs! This is made possible from their sturdy tail, which they lean on when "boxing" other challengers or enemies. This "boxing" attack is sometimes used when fighting over potential mates, and they may also leave a nasty bite or scratch from their claws. Here is a video of a kangaroos "boxing" (on a suburban street, I know):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyqJX7bU0Ws

Originally posted on Youtube by [Art Fido.com]

Although red kangaroos are far from extinction, a close relative of theirs, the wallaby, has certain species that is starting to slide toward the brink. This is especially true for the rock-wallaby, which can only be found in Australia. Confused about the difference between wallabies and kangaroos now? I will go over the wallaby next week. But for now, here are some ways to ensure the kangaroos don't become endangered.

Love the environment. To ensure the kangaroos stay safe, they need to have a clean habitat. Whether you are a miles away from Australia or not, it is always good to keep the air and grass clean. Mother Nature will love you for it! So Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

Spread Awareness. Although no awareness is needed to be spread for kangaroos right now, people still need to understand that our actions now won't make them stay forever. Help reduce the amount of trees being cut down, and try to preserve their habitat. Visit local zoos for more information on how to maintain these majestic marsupials.

Jeopardized Wild Dogs

Before we start let me ask you a question: What is your definition of a "wild dog"? A four legged canine begging for food on the streets? A savage in the woods about to rip out your throat? The person you despise the most? :)

Of course, different people would have different views on what they would call "wild." But let's take a look at what some Australians think, or used to think.

Dingo

Image courtesy of National Geographic

Classification: Mammal (debated canines)
Size: 4.5-5.1 ft / 1.4-1.53 m
Weight: 22-33 lb / 10-15 kg
Diet: Carnivorous 
Lifespan: 10 years in the wild; 13-18 years in captivity
Appearance: golden or reddish-colored
Status: 4.5 Exclamations**
Officially declared endangered by the Australian government. Could go extinct in less than 20 years! (Yes, it's bad!)
Fun Fact: Dingoes can live and hunt both individually or in packs. And although they look like dogs, dingoes can't bark. They howl!


It's funny how I used to think that Dingoes were wombats. Or that I foolishly thought Dingo was a board game a couple years before. Huh. Strange, isn't it, how much we seem to underestimate these cousins of man's best friend? ("Man's best friend" refers to the domesticated dog, by the way.) Well, it seems, we're not always right, or perfect.

The dingo is known as Australia's famous "wild dog" (and commonly confused with that, too) and can also be found in Southeast Asia. In fact, that's where the first dingoes came from! Take a look at the map; it is evident of how the population spread from Asia down to Australia.

Map from National Geographic

Although they were quite plentiful many years, ago, the dingo population is drastically decreasing, and well, like always, we are responsible for it.

Hybridization & Inbreeding. This is one of the main causes of the dingoes' population downfall. Since they look so much like dogs (and are so closely related), many people are breeding dogs and dingoes together, and this is decreasing the number of "pure" dingoes left in the wild. Even of the ones that are left, very few of them are "purebred." The rest (about one-third) have a combination of domesticated and dingo blood (hybrid).

Hunting & Government Eradication. Because these dingoes hunt livestock (mainly sheep), farmers constantly shot them to protect their livestock. Yes, their sheep were saved, but the dingoes were not. Things did not get better when the government set "eradication programs" to get rid of the dingoes. With their mistake found right before it was too late, Australia is launching conservation programs to help bring the dingoes back from the brink of extinction, like the Australian Dingo Conservation Association, Inc..

If you think you're too young, too old, or don't have enough time, stop right now. It is never too late. Even though you might not be willing to donate $100 or join a particular organization, little things matter as well. You could write letters to a friend or family member to spread awareness. Tell your teachers about what's going on, make a report for the class. Maybe even plan a trip to the zoo with your family to learn more about these dingoes!

Your Opinion Matters
Instead of deciding myself which animal to blog on next, I'm going to let you choose. Please comment below about your opinions and what animal you would like to see on WeForWildlife next. Thank you!

Commenting Issue

I have been informed that people viewing this blog from their mobile devices (like iPhones) are having trouble leaving comments. Specifically, they can write their comment, but when they publish it, their comment disappears into thin air. POOF!

I apologize if this is causing inconvenience. One way this problem might be fixed is if you scroll all the way to the bottom of the blog, and click "View full web version." (Sorry, it might be in a light green color--hard to see) You should be able to leave comments from your phones on the desktop version.

If you are still having other troubles with this blog then feel free to email me here. I will try to fix the problem and get back at you as soon as I can.

Thank you!

What's Decimating Tasmanian Devils?

A kangaroo hops across the plains... a koala lazily slumbers on a eucalyptus branch... and a wombat shuffles over the dirt...

I apologize for the long delay, but it has been decided! The first theme I will be blogging about (throughout the remainder of April and all of May) will be the Australian Outback. The Outback is the vast inland area of Australia, mostly desert and some grasslands. Australians call it "the bush."

Here is a visual map of where the Australian Outback is: (roughly the yellow and orange sections)

From JRank

Now, without further ado, here is our first Outback animal:

Tasmanian Devil

From National Geographic-Tasmanian Devil

Classification: Mammal (marsupial)
Size: 20-31 in / 51-79 cm
Weight: 9-26 lb / 4-12 kg
Diet: Only meat (carnivore)
Lifespan: (up to) 5 years-in the wild
Appearance: Brown or black fur; White stripe across the chest; Light-colored spots on lower body

Status: 

Recently declared vulnerable/endangered by Tasmanian state government (Australia) at the end of March. 

Their feisty, cantankerous personalities have stayed true to their name--Tasmanian Devils can sometimes be quite the handful. But a newly emerged cancer, called Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTC), has been wiping out these marsupials' population for the past 10 years.

This highly contagious disease was discovered in the 1990's, and leaves tumor-like lumps on the Tasmanian Devils' faces. Eventually, the tumors block the nose and mouth, preventing normal breathing and eating, forcing the poor animal to starve and suffocate to death.

Since the disease is spreading like wildfire, scientists are trying to find areas around the world that have currently not been affected, and setting up breeding programs to keep the animal away from extinction.

DFTC can be spread by physical contact, such as biting (which is common when mating or feeding their young), the main reason behind why this disease is spreading like a wildfire. Once infected, the victim only has 6-12 more months to survive. Currently, there is no known cure or vaccine.

The beginning of the Tasmanian Devils' wavering population started in the 18th century, around the time when European settlers colonized in Australia. Because the Devils and Tasmanian Tigers (Thylacine) constantly attacked the settlers' livestock, bounties were eventually placed upon them for being a nuisance. The Devils and Tigers were hunted and killed so often that the Tasmanian Tiger was officially declared extinct in the 1936, when the last Tiger died. Soon after, in 1941, Tasmanian Devils became protected by the law, allowing their numbers to gradually rise in numbers again.

Now, the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program and San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy (plus some other wildlife organizations) are putting in their best efforts to save this animal from extinction. You can help, too. You're never too young (or too old)! Simple things such as donating $1 each month from your allowance will make a big difference to them. Or if you don't feel comfortable giving them your money, try helping the environment as a whole! Make your shower a few minutes shorter. Edit your essay until it's completely ready before printing. Ride your bike to the park instead of driving. Little things matter! As my English teacher always says, "Success is in the details!"

So pay attention to the details! Make just a small change in your life, and it'll make a huge difference for the Tasmanian Devils.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*Don't miss the next post! Next week's animal will be the Dingo!

Barely holding on at the brink of extinction, the dingoes desperately need our help to bring them back...

Learn more about them in my next article! 






Tasmanian Devil Sources: 
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/tasmanian-devil/
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/tasmanian-devil
http://www.endextinction.org/

Need More Space?

Have you ever been to the zoo, watched the animals lie in the sun, and wonder, do they sunbathe in the wild, too?

If you've felt awkward asking that question, then don't--because you're not alone! Countless times I've pondered the same issue, especially when I go visit the San Diego Zoo.

I'm striding along the path with my family, enjoying all the beautiful small animals minding their own business, until we see the bigger animals. Cheetahs are sprawled across logs. Lions are sleeping on a large platform. Tigers are lazily strolling along the riverbank. The zookeepers come and toss in a hunk of meat, and the animals hungrily stride over and begin to eat. As I watch, I'm thinking, They shouldn't be here! If they're cooped up in these fences all day long, they'll never get to show off their hunting prowess. 

As you can see in the picture above (hopefully), these cheetahs will never really have room to hunt at top speed--which is what they're known for! Unless their exhibit is the size of an Olympic Pool, I doubt anyone, much less the keepers, will be able to see the cheetahs run at 90 kilometers per hour.

The same goes for lions and tigers, as well as other larger, wild-at-heart animals. The tigers at the zoo sometimes have a better environment than the lions do, because of the big cliffs and jungles that are provided, but lions can't really do anything in a 600 square feet enclosure. Throw some big trees here and there, and they'll have even less room to show off their instincts (though it does make their surroundings more like Africa).

Personally, I feel like the Safari Park (another branch of the San Diego Zoo) is a better place to keep wilder and bigger animals. The Safari Park is a huge valley(s) that is completely wild and original, all clear of construction so that wild animals could roam freely, like they do in the wild. An occasional little building here and there make good shade and food/water storage for the keepers, and the animals are not separated from each other; so if a giraffe and rhino come face to face, visitors can see the natural and instinctive reaction, rather than watch the two stare at each other through chain-link fences.

Fortunately, my art teacher agrees with me. She also stated that, "big cats should not be kept in zoo enclosures, because people cannot see them hunt and run like they do in the wild. All they do is lie there and do nothing behind fences. They don't have enough space."

What do you think? Should bigger animals be kept in tighter enclosures? Feel free to leave comments below, start a Socratic discussion if you like!

Picture taken from <http://eastangliadaytrips.blogspot.com/2008/06/banham-zoo-apr-07.html>.

Wildlife Math Lesson

Many of us are familiar with the concept of infinity. To most of us, it may simply mean a number that goes on forever, or numbers that go on forever. But how do we prove that infinity is infinity?

David Hilbert gave a lecture in 1942 that offered a simple and interesting solution. He used a hotel to demonstrate that infinity+1 and infinity+infinity all still equal infinity.

Say we have a hotel called the Grand Hotel. This hotel has infinity rooms, and is capable of hosting infinity people. One day, a new tourist comes to live in the Grand Hotel. However, the hotel rooms are all occupied. The hotel manager Bob says anyway, "No problem, we can fit you in!" Bob tells all the current guests to move UP one room.

The guest in Room 1 moves to Room 2, The guest in Room 2 moves to Room 3... The guest in Room N moves to Room N+1. This way, the first room is empty and since there are infinity rooms, all the guests will still have a room. This is the concept of infinity+1=infinity. 

One day a bus pulls into the Grand Hotel's parking lot. The bus contains infinity people. When these infinity tourists ask for a room, manager Bob scratches his head for a couple of minutes, then says, "No problem, I can find you some empty rooms!" He tells all the current guests to move the the Room TWICE their current room number. 

The guest in Room 1 moves to Room 1x2=2, the guest in Room 2 moves to Room 4, The guest in Room 3 moves to Room 6, the guest in Room N moves to Room 2N. This way, all the current guests will be occupying the even number rooms.  Now the new infinity guests could move in to the odd numbered rooms. Since there are infinity odd and even numbers, the Grand Hotel can still accommodate every guest so far. This is the concept of infinity+infinity=infinity.

But what if infinity new tourists come labeled with all real numbers (decimals) between 0 and 0.5? (e.g. 0.31415..., 0.49112...) These decimal tourists ask Manager Bob for rooms. After scratching his head for a long time, Manager Bob finally says, "I'm sorry, we cannot find any rooms for you here. You'll have to try Hotel Uncountable around the corner." These decimals were another DIFFERENT group of infinity, not in the whole number group.

At this point, I realized that this "Uncountable Infinity" situation is parallel to our humans vs. animal competition today. We are the current guests/Manager Bob that are able to live in the Grand Hotel, but when the wild animals (infinite decimals) try their luck here, we kick them out and they cannot survive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The difference here is that there are not infinity animals and there are not infinity humans, either, if we continue to treat animals as if they are below us. In a way, humans and animals are all equal. We were all created by the same God or we all evolved from one single cell. True, lions cannot do trigonometry, but they can let their pride flow flood the lands and have their courageous roar be heard around the world. Animals, in a way, have helped us reach where we are in life today. Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas on a ship. Why did he use a ship? Because it was faster and held more supplies. BUT, also so he wouldn't get eaten up by sharks and have to swim around in freak storms. Nature has shaped us, and though we don't know it, wildlife was there the whole entire way. They deserve the infinite amount of respect there is in the world.

Welcome

Welcome to WeForWildlife!

In this blog you will find a boxful of wildlife goodies, such as: stories/some information on wildlife (specifically endangered animals), animal reviews on selected species, and occasionally some of our interactions with wildlife on travels and trips. 

We hope to inspire many of you to help us take a stand for the magnificent wildlife creatures nature has shared with us. 

Photo taken from <http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/wildlife-photo-gallery/#/mother-cub-panthers_26400_600x450.jpg>