Latest news with #endangeredspecies
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Kent big cat sanctuary welcomes new snow leopard cub
An animal sanctuary has announced the birth of a snow leopard cub after months of dedicated cub, nicknamed Little Lady, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, on 10 successful birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for mother Laila to voluntarily participate in ultrasound chef and charity ambassador Paul Hollywood said: "Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heart-warming." Little Lady weighed 630g (1.4lb) at her first health check when she was five days is just the second female snow leopard to be born at the centre, after her sister Zaya in Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30% of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade."This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species," said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary. Additional reporting from PA Media.
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
‘Little Lady' snow leopard cub revealed to the world for first time
A snow leopard cub has been born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, following months of preparation. The cub, nicknamed "Little Lady", was born on May 10 and weighed 630g at her first health check five days later. Her birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for the mother, Laila, to voluntarily participate in ultrasound sessions conducted by the sanctuary's veterinarian, Valerie Freeman. Mr Jackaman said snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Leila amazed the sanctuary staff with her "calm nature" during the process. Ambassador for The Big Cat Sanctuary, Paul Hollywood, said he "cannot wait" to meet the new cub. He said: 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming. 'This is an amazing achievement for the sanctuary to be contributing to the captive breeding programme for this endangered species. I cannot wait to meet her.' Little Lady is reportedly thriving under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30 per cent of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. The first litter in 2019 was of two males, Koshi and Khumbu, with another male cub, Shen, arriving in 2021 before she had twins in 2023 – Attan, a male, and Zaya, which was the first female snow leopard born at the centre. 'This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species,' said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Schaumburg, Illinois seniors work to nurture monarch butterflies, which are at risk of being endangered
The monarch butterfly is Illinois' state insect and has held that distinction for 50 years — having been suggested for the honor by third grade classes in Decatur in 1975. But the butterfly is also in danger of landing on the endangered species list. Some retirees are hoping to reverse that trend. Volunteer Ned Bruns recently spent a gorgeous morning digging up ugly weeds. "It'd be easier to say, how often am I not here?" Bruns said. It is certainly a peaceful way to spend retirement. But keeping the Schaumburg Park District beautiful is not the only goal of the gardening work he does. Bruns is on a team of volunteers trying to save monarch butterflies by cultivating milkweed — the only plant where they lay eggs. "I'm a retired union carpenter and, if you think about it, we created all the homes here — which has taken up some of the habitat for the monarch butterfly," Bruns said. Bruns is part of a team of volunteers who educate the public about the demise of the state insect. He helped build boxes for caterpillars and cocoons that represent increasingly precious shelter. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is close to categorizing the monarch butterfly is threatened, which is one step away from endangered. If that happens, federal protections could make it tricker for the public to learn about the orange and black creatures up close—because handling them might be restricted. "Butterfly people don't want that to happen," said Carol Johnson. Johnson is another Schaumburg senior who will talk about monarchs to anyone who will listen. She is nicknamed the Butterfly Lady. "I have an 'on' button, but my 'off' button is sometimes broken," Johnson said. The 83-year-old was behind Illinois legislation to create Monarch Month. May is the perfect time for gardeners to add the butterfly's favorite plant to their arsenal, she said. Believe it or not, many cities and towns used to prohibit milkweed — with an emphasis on the "weed" suffix. A 2017 law banned such bans. It was Johnson who was responsible for getting mega-monarch volunteer Bruns hooked. She drummed up the idea of raising butterflies at the Schaumburg Park District. Thousands are released each year. "Carol Johnson is instrumental to the monarch butterfly," said Bruns. "She created the Schaumburg monarch initiative. She's put a lot of milkweed in parks." Seniors are shrinking a problem by growing the solution. "It just shows the power of old ladies!" said Johnson. Keep an eye out. Monarch butterflies are just starting to arrive in the Chicago area for the season.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Saving endangered turtles and bats focus of new Toronto Zoo partnership
The Toronto Zoo announces a new partnership to preserve biodiversity in the province. CTV's Beth Macdonell reports. A new partnership at the Toronto Zoo is prioritizing nine Canadian endangered species with the aim of growing of their populations. A five-year, $3-million joint commitment between the zoo and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) will allow critical work to continue to save Blanding's turtles and eight bat species. The goal is to reverse biodiversity loss which is critical to healthy ecosystems. Toby Thorne, supervisor of species recovery at Toronto Zoo, compared the importance of preserving species to a well-functioning clock. 'If I start throwing cogs away, then it might work for a bit, but at some point, it's going to stop working,' said Thorne. 'We're talking about species today, but were talking about preserving biodiversity as a whole, which humans are a part of, and we need that as much as it needs us.' The funding will help continue a turtle raising program at the zoo that works to restore populations hurt by habitat loss, road deaths, and climate change. For the past 12 years, staff have been collecting Blanding's turtles eggs, caring for them while they grow for two years, and releasing them back into the wild. In the 1990s, Blanding's turtles were virtually extinct in the Greater Toronto Area spanning Rouge Valley, with zoo staff saying there were probably less than 10 left in area. But now, thanks to the program, the population is growing. 'They are known as the turtles with the sun under their chin,' explained Thorne. 'They are green overall like most turtles, but they have this bright piece underneath, and they are a nice, smiley turtle.' 'This commitment is a big deal,' added Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong. When it comes to bats, the partnership is allowing for more research on eight species in Ontario. Seven of those eight bat species are endangered. 'Bats play a critical ecological role, whether it's hunting insects at night,' DeJong said. '[They are] a key piece of the balance, and if you lose one piece, and you lose that balance, I think people only realize the impact of that balance when it's gone.' DeJong said diverse ecosystems are strong ecosystems, and the partnership will help Blanding's turtles and the eight bat species not only survive, but thrive.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Saving endangered turtles and bats focus of new Toronto Zoo partnership
A new partnership at the Toronto Zoo is prioritizing nine Canadian endangered species, including bats and turtles. (Toronto Zoo, left; CTV News Toronto, right) A new partnership at the Toronto Zoo is prioritizing nine Canadian endangered species with the aim of growing of their populations. A five-year, $3-million joint commitment between the zoo and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) will allow critical work to continue to save Blanding's turtles and eight bat species. The goal is to reverse biodiversity loss which is critical to healthy ecosystems. Toby Thorne, supervisor of species recovery at Toronto Zoo, compared the importance of preserving species to a well-functioning clock. 'If I start throwing cogs away, then it might work for a bit, but at some point, it's going to stop working,' said Thorne. 'We're talking about species today, but were talking about preserving biodiversity as a whole, which humans are a part of, and we need that as much as it needs us.' The funding will help continue a turtle raising program at the zoo that works to restore populations hurt by habitat loss, road deaths, and climate change. For the past 12 years, staff have been collecting Blanding's turtles eggs, caring for them while they grow for two years, and releasing them back into the wild. In the 1990s, Blanding's turtles were virtually extinct in the Greater Toronto Area spanning Rouge Valley, with zoo staff saying there were probably less than 10 left in area. But now, thanks to the program, the population is growing. 'They are known as the turtles with the sun under their chin,' explained Thorne. 'They are green overall like most turtles, but they have this bright piece underneath, and they are a nice, smiley turtle.' 'This commitment is a big deal,' added Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong. When it comes to bats, the partnership is allowing for more research on eight species in Ontario. Seven of those eight bat species are endangered. 'Bats play a critical ecological role, whether it's hunting insects at night,' DeJong said. '[They are] a key piece of the balance, and if you lose one piece, and you lose that balance, I think people only realize the impact of that balance when it's gone.' DeJong said diverse ecosystems are strong ecosystems, and the partnership will help Blanding's turtles and the eight bat species not only survive, but thrive.
