Art for Thought
Endangered Species
The Earth is currently experiencing its sixth major animal extinction event. One out of four of the world’s mammals and over 40 percent of amphibians are threatened with extinction due to human activity, including habitat destruction, over exploitation, climate change, and polution, as well as human
overpopulation.
Here are 15 creatures - an Endangered Species Series - in peril today, and one beautiful Passenger Pidgeon who is gone
forever. Extinction verses sustainability.
Art reflects life.
Endangered Species Series
Honey Bee
Honey bees are not currently considered an endangered species globally, and their population is actually quite high due to intensive management by beekeepers, with more hives currently present than in many previous periods. While they face significant threats like colony collapse disorder, pesticides, and habitat loss causing high annual losses, they are domesticated livestock rather than a species at risk of extinction.
Endangered Species Series
Sea Turtle
Over the last 200 years, human activities have tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient mariners. Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation. Sea turtles also face habitat destruction and accidental capture, known as bycatch, in fishing gear.
Endandered Species Series
Piper Polver
Even the cute ones are in some peril - While Piping Plovers have increased in number in recent years, the species is still listed under the Endangered Species Act. It is considered Endangered in the Great Lakes region and Threatened
Endangered Species Series
The Tiger
After a century of decline, overall wild tiger numbers are starting to tick upward. Based on the best available information, tiger populations are stable or increasing in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia and China. About 5,574 tigers remain in the wild, according to the Global Tiger Forum, but much more work is needed to protect this species if we are to secure its future in the wild.
Endangered Species Series
Blue Crab
Blue Crabs - the icon of Chesapeake Bay, reached a tipping point in 2008. After 16 years of almost nonstop decline, populations had plummeted to little more than a third what they were before. Officials declared the fishery a federal disaster. Now populations are slowly climbing back. But it’s a fragile recovery.
Endandered Species Series
Schaus’ Swallowtail Butterfly
Schaus’ Swallowtail Butterfly is in peril.
- protected as an Endangered species by the Federal Endangered Species Act and as a Federally-designated Endangered species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.
Endangered Species Series
Snow Lepard
Snow leopards are classified as vulnerable rather than Endangered by the IUCN, but they still face a high risk of extinction in the wild. While their status was updated in 2017 due to increased numbers, they are threatened by poaching, habitat loss, climate change, and conflicts with herders.
Endandered Species Series
Poison Dart Frog
Poison dart frogs are not a single species, but many in the Dendrobatidae family are endangered or threatened due to habitat loss, climate change, and chytrid fungus. While some species remain stable, about 28% are threatened with extinction. Key threats
Endangered Species Series
Striped Bass - in peril
In yet another blow to striped bass (aka “rockfish” or “stripers”), the latest survey results show that for the fifth consecutive year, young-of-year striped bass numbers remain far below average in Maryland and low in Virginia as well. Low numbers of young fish now mean in the future there will be fewer of the large fish prized by anglers and important for reproduction of the species.
Endandered Species Series
The Sparrow
While the common House Sparrow is classified as “Least Concern” globally, many populations are experiencing significant declines in urban areas and Europe. Some specific species, like the Saltmarsh Sparrow, are highly threatened, while overall numbers have dropped due to habitat loss, pesticides, and lack of nesting sites.
Endangered Species Series
Passenger Pidgeon - Extinct
1914 the last remaining pigeon would die...The extinction of the Passenger Pigeon had two major causes: commercial exploitation of pigeon meat on a massive scale and loss of habitat. Large flocks and communal breeding made the species highly vulnerable to hunting.
Endangered Species Series
Red Wolf
Perhaps 300 alive After the species was listed as Endangered in 1967, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) initiated a plan to capture as many genetically pure red wolves as possible. Capturing almost 400 animals, a team of researchers carefully removed any coyotes and hybrids, leaving just 14 breeding red wolves. In 1980, FWS declared the species extinct in the wild. The approximately 300 red wolves alive today are all descended from these few individuals.
Endangered Species Series
Monarch Butterfly
The iconic monarch butterfly has been listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global authority on the conservation status of species. An endangered listing means the species is likely to go extinct without significant intervention.
Endandered Species Series
The Buffalo
The unfortunate truth, supported by objective science, shows us that extinction of wild, freely migrating buffalo is a very real concern.
And we all know why...
Endangered Species Series
Baltimore Oriole - in concern
Baltimore Orioles are not currently listed as an endangered species, but they are experiencing significant population declines and are considered a species of conservation concern. With an estimated 12 million breeding individuals, they are not rare, but they have seen a 36% population drop in eastern North America between 1966 and 2019.
Endangered Species Series
Black Panther
Although found in many places around the world, they are endangered as are all of the big cats.
I post this painting to mention how sometimes when we express ourselves with art - our emotions come out in different ways. This painting unintentionally expresses how I feel about what is going on in our country right now.
I am pissed.
Endangered Species Series
Purple-crowned Fairy-wren
The Purple-crowned Fairy-wren is a small, vibrant songbird endemic to the riverbanks of northern Australia. Often described as the “tiniest royalty of the riverbanks,” it is the largest of all fairy-wren species. Found in the Kimberley and Victoria River regions; it is currently listed as Endangered due to habitat loss from livestock grazing, fire, and invasive species.
