[lotuseclat79]

I'm sure the polar bears will adapt in some way - probably the reverse of how they became polar bears in the first place.

If the poobahs that made the decision in the first place had even bothered to look at the data, they would have chosen the narwhals instead of bowing to the polar bear lobby.

-- Tom

[lotuseclat79]

Over 50 percent of oceanic shark species threatened with extinction
Article here.

The first study to determine the global threat status of 21 species of wide-ranging oceanic pelagic sharks and rays reveals serious overfishing and recommends key steps that governments can take to safeguard populations. These findings and recommendations for action are published in the latest edition of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.

-- Tom

[ekim68]

Originally Posted by lotuseclat79

I'm sure the polar bears will adapt in some way - probably the reverse of how they became polar bears in the first place.

If the poobahs that made the decision in the first place had even bothered to look at the data, they would have chosen the narwhals instead of bowing to the polar bear lobby.

-- Tom

My problem with that is the reason against is for development...On it goes....

[lotuseclat79]

Originally Posted by ekim68

My problem with that is the reason against is for development...On it goes....

Hi ekim68,

If what you are saying the reason against putting polar bears on the protection list is for development, that does not say that putting the narwhals on the list is for development.

The data indicates that the narwhals are in greater danger to their habitat, ergo, they should be higher on the list to be protected.

I am not also saying that polar bears should be denied being on the list, only that the narwhals are more deserving (no cuteness factor involved), and that polar bears have a better chance of surviving global warming than the narwhals and adapting to it even if they are not on the list.

My argument has nothing to do with development which IMO is anti-habitat and should not enter into the decision of what gets on the protection list.

The fact that the critics have even mentioned that putting polar bears on the list should mean that the program should fight global warming is incongruous - two different programs with vastly different goals.

-- Tom

[ekim68]

Sorry Tom, I misunderstood you. I agree that the narwhals deserve the protection as much if not more so than the bears. I was referring to the fact that Alaska didn't want the bear protection because of their development ideas...

[lotuseclat79]

Southern Utah tortoise continues decline
Article here.

It's been a tough few years for the shelled sentinels scratching out a living in Utah's southwestern desert. The population of desert tortoises in the scrubby 62,000 acres of Red Cliffs Desert Reserve has been declining steadily since 2000. New numbers for 2007 show the lowest count since regional monitoring began in 1998.

-- Tom

[ekim68]

Over 50 Percent Of Oceanic Shark Species Threatened With Extinction

ScienceDaily (May 25, 2008) — The first study to determine the global threat status of 21 species of wide-ranging oceanic pelagic sharks and rays reveals serious overfishing and recommends key steps that governments can take to safeguard populations. These findings and recommendations for action are published in the latest edition of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0522094652.htm

[poochee]

Originally Posted by ekim68

Over 50 Percent Of Oceanic Shark Species Threatened With Extinction

ScienceDaily (May 25, 2008) — The first study to determine the global threat status of 21 species of wide-ranging oceanic pelagic sharks and rays reveals serious overfishing and recommends key steps that governments can take to safeguard populations. These findings and recommendations for action are published in the latest edition of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0522094652.htm

[poochee]

updated 9:44 p.m. EDT, Fri May 23, 2008
Associated Press

Drugs, prostitution threaten wildlife refuges

Story Highlights

Study says the nation's 548 wildlife refuges are underfunded by 43 percent
Lack of law enforcement makes sites vulnerable to crime and prostitution
Agency says drug dealers are setting up marijuana, methamphetamine

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- America's wildlife refuges are so short of money that one-third have no staff, boardwalks and buildings are in disrepair, and drug dealers are using them to grow marijuana and make methamphetamine, a group pushing for more funding says.

"Without adequate funding, we are jeopardizing some of the world's most spectacular wildlife and wild lands," said Evan Hirsche, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association and chairman of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement.

"The refuge system has been underfunded for years, but it has really mushroomed in the past several," Hirsche said.

Excerpts from: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/23/neg....ap/index.html

[lotuseclat79]

Climate change raising extinction risk among birds: study
Article here.

Climate change has emerged as a major factor behind the growing risk of extinction facing birds, the world's leading conservation agency warned on Monday.


A bird flies over the sea after sunset.

-- Tom

[lotuseclat79]

U.N. experts warn of economic cost of species loss
Article here.

Mankind is causing 50 billion euros ($78 billion) of damage to the planet's land areas every year, making it imperative governments act to save plants and animals, a Deutsche Bank official told a U.N. conference.

A study, presented to delegates from 191 countries in the U.N.'s Convention on Biological Diversity on Thursday, said recent pressure on commodity and food prices highlighted the effects of the loss of biodiversity to society.

"Urgent remedial action is essential because species loss and ecosystem degradation are inextricably linked to human well-being," said Pavan Sukhdev, a banker at Deutsche Bank and the main author of the report.

-- Tom

[lotuseclat79]

It's official: Caribbean monk seal is extinct
Article here.

Only seal species to vanish due to human impacts; two other species at risk


The Caribbean monk seal, also known as the West Indian seal, will be remembered only by drawings. On Friday, the U.S. declared it extinct.

-- Tom

[poochee]

Originally Posted by lotuseclat79

It's official: Caribbean monk seal is extinct
Article here.

Only seal species to vanish due to human impacts; two other species at risk


The Caribbean monk seal, also known as the West Indian seal, will be remembered only by drawings. On Friday, the U.S. declared it extinct.

-- Tom

[ekim68]

Wow...Everyone should take a look around. Nothing will be same again...Who are the stewards of this world anyway?

[poochee]

Originally Posted by ekim68

Wow...Everyone should take a look around. Nothing will be same again...Who are the stewards of this world anyway?

Many don't appreciate the fauna and flora.