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| Collector: Missy Knapik |
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| The South China Tiger is the most endangered of all the tiger subspecies. The chinese tiger used to live all over central and south China, but due to human intervention over the past few thousand years, it has slowly retreated to remote and mountainous areas south of the Yangtze River. In the 1950's there were 4,000 tigers in China. Due to hunting and habitat destruction, there are now fewer than 100 left. |
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| Collector: Paul Knapik III |
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| Snow Leopards
They are mysterious and elusive cats at home in one of the harshest and most inaccessible environments on earth. They are equipped with a thick fur for protection against the climate, and a long, thick tail to act as counterbalance on steep rocky terrain. They have been found in China, Russia, India, Mongolia, Nepal, & Pakistan. They are more rare than their cousin, the tiger.
They are defenseless, however, against steel traps and guns. Despite international laws to protect them, snow leopards have still been decimated by poaching for their pelts, skin and bones which are still traded illegally.
As herders graze their livestock higher into the mountains, the snow leopards wild prey disapperas. Shortage of prey forces some cats to target livestock, which leads to intensified persecution. |
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| Collector: Dennis Livingston |
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Grey Nurse Shark
Thousands of grey nurse sharks were killed during the 60's and 70's along the east Australian coastline because of their ferocious appearance and undeserved reputation as a "man eater".
This shark, however, is completely harmless and has become a favorite among divers who view these charismatic animals in their underwater habitats where they spend their time.
Fewer than 500 individuals remain. |
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| Collector: Cindy Diamond |
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| Gray Wolf
The gray wolf has endured a long history of persecution.
Long ago, they were the world's most widespread big land carnivore, ranging all around the northern regions.
The wolf's size and notorious reputation are the source of it's main problem.
They have been hunted and trapped for allegedly attacking humans, spreading diseases, and killing livestock.
As a result, their populations have dwindled dramatically.
Some species, such as the Ethiopian wolf and the African hunting dog face extinction.
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| Collector: Rich Duncan |
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| The Jaguar is the largest cat on the American continent, and one of the most majestic animals in the world. There name comes from the American Indian word meaning "beast that kills with one leap".
Like most cat species they are solitary animals needing large areas of undisturbed habitat to survive.
They can live for 15-20 years.
They are threatened due to habitat loss and are fragmented now due to cattle ranching, agriculture and urbanization.
They continue to be hunted illegally.
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| Collector: Gary Hulett |
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| Eastern Lowland Gorilla
Even though the mountain gorilla has one of the smallest populations, the eastern lowland gorilla has suffered a 85% decline since 2000. These "gentle giants" are still one of our closest living relatives.
The rapid growth of micro-technologies, from cell phones to laptops, led to an enormous demand for the metal tantalum which is found in the gorilla habitat.
Their habitat is also under the control of rebel militias, and their survival hangs in the balance. |
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| Coolector: Randy Phillips |
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| Giant Panda
The giant panda population consists of only about 1600 individuals.
Belonging to the bear family, they are peaceful and mostly vegetarian. They depend almost exclusively on bamboo as a food source.
These striking animals are now confined to fragmented forest patches high in the mountains of south-western China.
Due to China's ever increasing human population the Giant Panda's habitat has almost disappeared completely.
Despite being universally loved and the symbol of a nation, the Giant Panda's future remains uncertain. |
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| Collector: Elaine Nichols |
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| Harlequin Frog
The Harlequin frog, a colorful black and bright yellow frog, was thought extinct when it disappeared from the Monteverde Reserve in Costa rica, but it survives elsewhere and is critically endangered rather than extinct.
Nobody knows why the steep decline but a theory may be the El Nino effect that took place 2 years earlier.
Perhaps the unusually dry climate wiped out the breeding pools, killing all the eggs and larvae. and stressed the adults making them vulnerable to disease. |
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| Collector: Paul Knapik III |
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| The Bengal Tiger is found in mainly in India's swamps and jungle.
With the population in India increasing beyond a billion people, the natural habitats of the tiger is being destroyed to meet the increasing demand for human settlements.
Their other major threat is poaching. Bengal tigers are wanted for their gorgeous furs and their bones, which are considered prized for their medicinal properties in China and India.
Their numbers have declined dramatically over the last 20 years.
The current population is approx. 3,000-4,500 individuals. |
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| Collector: Paul Knapik III |
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| Snow Leopard |
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| Collector: Gary Hulett |
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| African Elephant |
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| Collector: Bill Boomhower |
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| Orangutan |
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