Month: May 2020

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Those Cruel Two-Leggers

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Once upon a very recent time, a giant panda said,

“I stare at all those faces

Beyond the metal fence.

To them, I’m just another spectacle;

A nice picture for their camera lens.

But my family and I are much more than that,

The one I haven’t seen in years.

When I was forced away as just a child,

The cruel celebrated a river of tears.

But does my home still wait for me?

This is unknown for now.

They must have chopped down every tree,

Every leaf of every bough.

Where can my people go,

For our sacred abode is no more?

We were pushed to where the two-leggers roam,

Where the little ones are a prize they can score.

We are seen as greyscale trophies,

The kind that people ogle at.

They laugh and coo, they sneer and shout.

We’ve fallen off the throne on which we sat.

I long to go back to my place of comfort

And be with the ones who care,

But this can never be because

All those two-leggers do, is stare.”

~ Sasha Mathews

Giant pandas are a vulnerable species. They have been driven out of their natural home by deforestation and habitat destruction, and several of them are raised in captivity for recreational purposes. Although the population is currently increasing, climate change is predicted to eliminate more than 35 percent of the Panda’s bamboo habitat in the next 80 years, and thus the Panda population is projected to decline

I think it’s time that those of us who care do everything in our power to help these bears. What do you think?

~ SASHA MATHEWS

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The Falling Royals

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She wore the bands of orange and black with pride 

The almighty beast of Bengal

When I saw it at first sight 

My boggled mind was taken aback

Her presence being felt by everyone

Realizing how misleading pictures can be,

Then a thought struck like lightning 

Sadness shadowed me

Wondering how these magnificent beasts 

Will be missed by the kids of the future

They will miss its roar, so loud that brings the attention of all

Their amber eyes having eternal beauty

But also reflecting the pain inflicting on them

Having to hear every day that their brothers and sisters getting killed

Every step with caution

These big beasts

Being overpowered by guns 

The size of their feet

Having no regard for their lives 

Using them for our materialistic world

This absurdity must stop

MUST STOP NOW

~Vihan Raju

Wild tigers are hunted to meet the demand of a $20 billion year illegal wildlife market. The future of tiger range depends upon the Asian governments creating effective tiger landscapes by conserving large areas of suitable habitat. Of the original nine subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct in the last 80 years. It has been predicted all tigers may become extinct in the wild within the next decade.

As humans, responsibility is key. It is our sole duty to help regain the eco-systems we destroyed.

~VIHAN RAJU

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“Let them be at ease in their own shell”

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Our planet Earth-like none other, has been blessed with a great diversity in flora and fauna. This ranges from the tiniest of invisible microorganisms, to the mighty elephants and whales that rule the land and water respectively. And yet today, there remains so much that is unknown to us.

I took a particular interest in sea turtles as they desperately need our help. They are at the brink of extinction and in need of our voice. As far as we know there are 7 existing species of sea turtles and they are:  Green sea turtle, Loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, Olive ridley, Hawksbill, Flat back and Leatherback Sea Turtle. Currently, 6 out of 7 species of Sea turtles today are endangered due to human actions such as, slaughtering them for their eggs, meat, shells, skin, and climate change. Every year about 1000’s of Sea turtles fall prey to the plastic waste, about 150 million metric tons of plastic circulate our marine environments. According to recent reports, we have less than 1 million Sea turtles left, which is an alarming number.

They make incredible migrations from their feeding and breeding areas. They mate at sea then come ashore to the beaches to lay their eggs; they bury it in the sand and go back to the sea. But sadly, most of the time, these eggs catch the eye of birds, crabs, and other predators. Unlike other turtles, sea turtles can’t pull their head and limbs inside their shell, which makes them easier to be spotted by enemies. Sea Turtles live up to only 20-25 years max, giving us another reason as to why we must save these precious animals.

WAYS TO HELP OUR SEA TURTLES

 Refrain from walking at the beach at night during the summer months. (April to August) No matter how quite humans are they will often unknowingly frighten the nesting sea turtles back into the sea.

 We should never keep a baby turtle in a bucket of water or an aquarium affects their swimming reflex as they are supposed to be in the ocean and we should never take them from their natural habitat.

 Don’t dispose of your trash or plastic bags in the ocean as it is very bad for the sea turtles as they eat it and usually get ill or die, so if you see any trash in the ocean always pick it up and throw it in the bin.

 Never use flashlights on them as it causes disorientation of nesting turtles and hatchling.

 Allows staying clear of marked sea turtles nests on beaches.

Its time, that we humans, take a call of action and do our bit in saving these endangered animals.

~ RIYA A NAIR

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The Asian unicorn

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The Saola, known as the spindle-horn or the Asian unicorn, is one of the world’s rarest mammals, a forest-dwelling bovine found only in Anna mite ranges of Laos. The name comes from the Tai language of Vietnam. Saolas inhabit wet evergreen or deciduous forests in eastern Indochina, preferring rivers and valleys. During the winters, they tend to migrate to the lowlands. Saolas are threatened primarily by hunting, rather than habitat loss, the main hunting threat comes from commercial poaching, not subsistence hunting by the local people. In Southeast Asia, most endangered species are threatened by illegal trade, either for bushmeat or traditional Asian medicine. Paradoxically, Saola is one of the few large animals in the region without a significant price on its head, but Saola gets caught up in the general slaughter and they are killed incidentally, as bycatch. Particularly dangerous for the Saola is the setting of thousands of wire cable snares in its range by professional poachers, the scale of the problem is staggering.

EFFECTS OF SMALL POPULATION SIZE:

Saola is now distributed in several isolated, small subpopulations; these subpopulations are now probably small enough to be threatened further by other effects, such as genetic inbreeding, loss of heterozygosis, and skewed sex ratios.

INSUFFICIENT CONSERVATION ATTENTION:

Saola is also indirectly threatened by insufficient attention to investment in its conservation, by the Governments of Lao PDR and Vietnam or the international Conservation. 

They are elusive and have only been photographed in the wild three times, these rare beauties are critically endangered.

Let us all take a step forward and protect these endangered species, that are going extinct as they deserve an equal position as us on this planet.

~ ARYAN JAYPRAKASH

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The Popoto’s

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The Maui dolphins are the subspecies of the Hector’s dolphin. They are the smallest amongst the 32 species of dolphins. They are found only on the West coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Originally starting at a number of 1500, the total number of Maui dolphins found as of today is 55. According to IUCN’s red list these dolphins are critically endangered. Population growth has been very stagnant with just 2% a year.

The Maui dolphins are distinct from the other subspecies of dolphins for many reasons:

1. Distinctive black, white and grey markings.

2. Short snout.

3. Unique rounded dorsal fins.

4. Small but solidly built bodies.

They live up to twenty years and the females can produce a calf every 2-4 years. Dolphins are smarter than apes and evolution has led their brains to develop into size similar to humans, dolphin’s echolocation abilities are phenomenal; they can determine extraordinary details about everything around them. They use echolocation to hunt and navigate even in pitch darkness or murky water.

Dolphins have a very unique way of hunting, they stir up ring shaped bubbles or mud with their tails which scare the fish towards the surface and the frightened fish then jump out of the water, often into the waiting mouths of dolphins. Even whales perform similar methods of hunting.

The main reasons for the decrease in their population are:

1. Fishing: The fishing nets used to catch fish often get entangled with the dolphins causing them to struggle to get out which eventually leads to some sort of injury. Entanglement in fishing gears leads to the dolphins being dragged towards the shore. Fishing restrictions and bans have been imposed in order to prevent the harm caused to the dolphins. The Northern side of the coast is closed off and fishing is banned.

2. Mining and oil work: Mining and oil drilling causes loss of habitat due to which the dolphins stray too far away endangering their lives. The equipments used cause harm and even end up injuring the dolphins.

3. Toxoplasmosis: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease. It has proven to be one of the primary causes of the decrease in the number of Maui dolphins and is likely to be a significant human-caused threat to dolphin populations.

4. Poaching: Poaching for these rare species has become a rising concern. These animals are constantly in trouble due to how rare they are and get hunted down for money.

Amongst all these reasons, climate change has also proven to make these species vulnerable. Adapting to the climate sometimes becomes problematic hence leading to death.

Safety Measures:

1. Sanctuary boundary restrictions have been placed to prevent fishing.

2. Sea bed mining is prohibited to prevent any sort of mishap.

3. All sorts of nets used for fishing have been banned from using 7 miles off sanctuary boundaries.

4. Trawling involves pulling a net through the water using a vessel. Often the dolphins get caught. This has been banned along the West coast harbors.

Loss of such magnificent creatures would truly be a shame. They have to be preserved and awareness must be spread.

~ ANUSHKA PARTHASARATHI

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Fading Crimson Canines

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Having a furry pal to greet you when you get home or play fetch with you is quite common. Dogs are among the most popular species across the globe but have you ever thought about their wild cousins? There are several species of wolves that are struggling with being endangered. One such species is the Red Wolf or the Canis lupus rufus. 

This member of the Canidae family, possessing fur infused with a reddish hue, is native to the United States of America. The events that led to the species being classified as endangered include predator-control programs and loss of habitat. Science also played a role in its unfortunate status as another cause of endangerment was the extensive hybridisation of Red Wolves with coyotes. At a point in time, there were up to 130 creatures in the wild, but that number has evidently experienced a steep fall, leaving only about 20 individuals in the wild today. Although there are over 200 of these wolves in breeding programs, the absence of their population in the wild is incredibly upsetting. The term “lone wolf” has never before had such a grim ring to it.

So far, only decreasing populations have been discussed. Let’s take a minute to think about what makes these digits so devastating. Just like any other living creature, this wolf has a life that must be respected and preserved, but there’s something that makes these canines special. The Red Wolf is of great importance in Cherokee spiritual beliefs, and it is said to be the companion of the hunter and father of the Wolf clan. 

These beautiful creatures were later captured by the hundreds as they were seen as a threat to livestock. In fact, there was a period during which these wolves were extinct in the wild. Thankfully, that changed because of one furry carnivore, Brindled Hope, who was the first to reproduce successfully outside captivity. There have been several other attempts of the sort to improve the status of the Red Wolves, but they still remain the most endangered wolf species.

There is only so much the average individual can do to protect these animals. Even though donating is a widely appreciated effort, not everyone can afford it. The best thing for us to do right now is to raise awareness; make it known that these innocent elements of nature are experiencing something you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy. They’re losing their family.

“Thousands have cried wolf over the years, but almost no one noticed that the wolves were crying” – Sasha Mathews

~SASHA MATHEWS

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The preeminent leopard

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When we visit a zoo and look at all the animals behind the glass pane or stuck in a cage do we ever wonder what the animal is going through? Not a lot of people bother to notice the misery of the animal stuck in the there. Well, imagine being separated from your family and all your loved ones and being put in a cage of just a few inches for the rest of your life. It’s sad isn’t it? But now because of us humans, animals aren’t even safe in their own habitat. 200 to 2000 species go extinct every single year.

One such animal is the Amur Leopard. This beautiful creature lives in the forests of South eastern Russia and Northern China, with fur as soft as cotton and peppered skin and it’s a commonly hunted animal due to all these attributes. It is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list and needs extreme care and protection. There are only about 60 individuals left in the wild and about 200 in captivity. It is believed that the Amur leopard can be saved from extinction if the present conservative initiatives are enhanced and sustained. Amur leopards are one of the rarest cat species in the world and are in extreme danger. So why don’t we take an initiative to protect these beautiful and majestic beasts as they are extremely important to the food chain. The biggest reason for their near extinction is illegal hunting and poaching. Its natural habitat is threatened by forest fires and construction of industries and other infrastructures. Another reason for the extinction of these species is the logging and poaching of the prey species like the Roe deer and the Sika deer which causes drastic changes in the Amur Leopards food source.

 Together we can protect the majestic animal, It requires people who care about our environment and all the creatures living on this beautiful planet, we need to respect their needs and space and live a sustainable life. If we come together to protect animals like the Amur leopard we can save some of the greatest species that ever existed on our planet. How can you help? It’s very simple, just change the way you buy. Please say a big no to any products that are made of animal skin or fur or any other body part. You can also visit and donate to websites like https://www.wildlifevetsinternational.org/projects/reintroduction-of-amur-leopard. Such organisations bring together young likeminded people who are willing to put in efforts to save beautiful species from extinction. So let’s all come together and protect the Amur Leopard and many other animals that are going extinct as they deserve an equal position on this planet.

Lets all spend our quarantine by doing something useful for our mother earth by protecting her creations. Together we can all make a change.

Thank you and stay safe.

~TRISHA MANOJ

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Enigma of the Sea

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Coral reefs are important for many different reasons aside from containing the most diverse eco-systems on the planet.

  • Corals protect coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms.
  • They provide habitats and shelter for many marine organisms
  • They are the source of Nitrogen and other essential nutrients for marine food chains and assist in Carbon and nitrogen fixing.
  • The fishing industry depends on coral reefs because many fish spawn there and juvenile fish spend time there before making their way to the open sea.

Water filtration – Most Corals and sponges are filter feeders, which mean that they consume particulate matter suspended in the water column. This contributes to enhanced quality and clarity of our near shore waters.

Everything from Lobsters and Octopuses to Sea Turtles and Dolphins depend on the reef for food, habitat and protection. Each animal plays an important role in the reef ecosystem, be it filtering water, consuming prolific algae or keeping a particular species under control, by supporting such a wide range of plants and animals, reefs are able to maintain balanced relationships that keep our marine ecosystems alive and abundant with life.

Coral reefs are rapidly declining. During the period 1988 to 2012, coral cover has seen a drop from 28% to 13.8%, a total loss of 50.7%. Tropical cyclones cause about 48% of the loss while crown of thorns starfish (COTS) cause 42% and 10% from Coral bleaching. Recent studies show that the occurrence of cyclones has increased due to climate change and also has increased that amount of rainfall from 4% to 9%.

Major anthropogenic risk factors include mortality and reduced growth of the reef – building Corals due to high sensitivity to rising Sea water temperatures. Other factors like Ocean acidification, water pollution from terrestrial runoffs and over fishing.

Coral bleaching – The stunning colours in Corals come from a marine alga called Zooxanthellae which lives inside their tissue. Through photosynthesis the algae gives the coral energy, allowing them to grow and reproduce. When Corals get stressed, from things such as heat or pollution, they react by expelling this alga, leaving a white skeleton. This is known as Coral bleaching, without this alga the Corals starve and then die. It can take decades for Coral reefs to fully recover from a bleaching event, so it is vital that these events do not occur frequently.

If we continue burning fossil fuels at our current rate severe bleaching events are likely to hit reefs annually by 2050. This would be devastating for Coral reefs as they would have no chance to recover.

We need to urgently reduce our carbon emissions and limit global temperatures increases, or the world’s reefs will face a bleak future.

~ VIHAN RAJU