Species of the week: Reindeer

Species of the week:
Reindeer(Rangifer tarandus)

1. Reindeer are also known as caribou in North America.They can be found in Arctic and Subarctic regions.
2. Both sexes grow antlers which is unusual for deer species.
3. Males are usually larger than females, with males growing to 180-215cm in height and weighing up to 320kg. Females grow up from 160-205 cm and weight 80-120kg.
4. Reindeer feed mostly on lichen but have been known to feed on grass and short tree leaves.
5. Reindeer mating occurs from late September until early November. 
6. Males fight with each other for dominion over females, with the dominant male forming a harem of females.
7. Calves are born early May to June. One calf is usual for reindeer.
8. Some reindeer have been known to undergo extreme migration for the winter. Reindeer in North America migrate up to 5 000km south in search for food.
9. Reindeer have been domesticated by humans, especially the Native American tribes.
10. Reindeer are considered to be of "Least Concern" by the IUCN list,

Shooting for conservation

This is a subject that I have to say I have done a lot of research on. The concept that some animals are hunted to provide money for conservation is one that I see as having great potential only if managed right. So let's try and see the argument on both sides.

Firstly hunting can bring in a lot of money. Hunters are willing to pay great amounts for the opportunity to shoot animals. Not only that but usually there are other cash flows to it as well. For example a group of hunters that will go to shoot a lion will not just pay for a tag but also for a place to stay and a guide. Their stay there will also bring more money to the local communities and hence improve the lives of the local.

The money obtained from the hunting can be put into good use by tackling some of the conservation issues that come from the local community. For example instead of poaching, with legal hunting the local communities may make enough money from the hunters in order for them to stop poaching off the local wildlife. In addition to that problematic animals may be targeted for a hunt, which could make the life of the locals a lot easier and reduce the general hate for specific animals. For example targeting elephants that trample crops could bring in money for the locals as well as allowing for the crops to recover and the locals to make some money.

The problem however with this is that the money don't always end up in the right hands. Organizations dedicated for the protection of specific species may never end up seeing a penny of that money due to the fact that most hunting and trapping is regulated by governments. What is even worse is the fact that some of the money that might end up in local communities due to the hunters, may instead end up in the hands of corrupted governments. Although this does not happen in all the instances, corruption may be something that may or may not be present.

Apart from that, hunting for conservation is not applicable to all species. Many species that need conserving are not prized hunt trophies and hence is a strategy that cannot be maintained for all instances. Although people will pay hundreds of thousands to shoot a black rhinoceros,, very few if any will pay to shoot a red panda. This is often a mentality common enough among hunters. The larger, more elusive and dangerous an animal is then the more its worth to shoot. What is more, conservation is already hindered by the “value” that some animals have and “selling” endangered animal tags will only add to this misguided notion that everything in nature should be judged by value.

Last but not least, some endangered animals really cannot afford losing some members of their population. It may be that governments consider this but it may be that they don't. Even if the a population is viable after certain members have been hunted, biology is getting increasingly complex in regards to genetic,behavior and interactions. By killing off that one animal, the social cohesion of a group of animals may be damaged beyond repair. By killing another, territories may shift resulting to conflict and animals being removed from their territories. What is more several animals may genetically hold the key to a species survival and unknowingly have lost their lives to the idea of hunters hunting to gather money for conservation.

In my opinion hunting for conservation is not something that is easily applicable. It is a great idea in thought but should require proper scientific backing before being suggested. With biology gaining more and more levels of complexity, hunting even one of these animals that is endangered, can lead to irreversible mistakes that would properly not even be worth the money. 

Species of the week: Snow leopard

Species of the week:
Snow leopard(Pantheria uncia)

1. They are found in the alpine areas of Central Asia, in altitudes of 3350 to 6700 metres.
2. They weigh around 27-55kg and stand about 60-70 cm tall.
3. Snow leopards cannot roar. They vocalize by hisses, meows, growlings,wailing and chuffing.
4. They lead a solitary life but mothers are often seen staying with their cubs for an extensive time.
5. They are extremely territory. They live in territories from 12 km2 to 40 km2.
6. Their densities depend on prey availability. If prey is scarce then less animals will be around.
7. Their favorite prey is the blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur) and they are often found around these animals.
8. Snow leopards mate during late winter with a gestation period that lasts 90-100 days.
9. One to five cubs can be born but usually around 2 cubs are born from each female.
10. Snow leopards are deemed "Endangered"by the IUCN. Their main threats are retaliation killings for depredation on lifestock, loss of prey and the poaching.

Species of the Week: Lion

Species of the week:
Lion(Panthera leo)

1. It is a big cat that can only be found in Africa and Asia.
2. It is the only cat that displays obvious sexual dimorphism. The male has a rich mane around its head while the females lack this mane.
3. Male lions also weigh more, with them weighing around 150-250 kg while females weigh 120-185kg.
4. Lions spend most of their inactive resting. This takes about 20 hours of the day.
5. During the remaining four, they socialize, hunt or mark their territory.
6. A group of lions is called a "pride" and usually consists of five or six females and one to two males.
7. Some lions however group up in pairs and are nomadic in nature.
8. The female lions are the ones that do the hunting. They encircle their prey and attack. These hunts are often short as the lions either snap their victim's neck or drag it down and then snap their neck. The males usually stay behind to protect the young.
9. Lions mate at anytime of the year and gestation period lasts about 110 days. Females give birth to up to four cubs.
10. Lion populations are declining worldwide due to human conflict, habitat loss, diseases and inbreeding. Certain subspecies are declining faster than others. The lion is listed as "Vulnerable" in the IUCN species list.