Celebrating the Splendour of Wildlife
July is here, and it's time to unleash our enthusiasm for the extraordinary creatures that inhabit our planet.
Welcome to "Wild about Wildlife Month," a dedicated time to celebrate and raise awareness about the captivating beauty and importance of wildlife.
In this blog post, we will delve into the wonders of the animal kingdom, explore the threats they face, and discover ways to make a positive impact. So, let's embark on this wild journey together!
The Diversity of Wildlife
The diversity of wildlife is truly astounding. From the depths of the oceans to the soaring heights of the skies, and every vibrant ecosystem in between, our planet is home to an incredible array of species.
From the graceful big cats and majestic elephants to the playful dolphins and enchanting birds, each creature holds a unique place in the intricate web of life.
This month, let's take a moment to appreciate the rich tapestry of wildlife that surrounds us.
The Challenges Wildlife Faces
Unfortunately, the survival of many wildlife species hangs in the balance due to numerous challenges. Habitat loss, caused by deforestation, urbanisation, and climate change, threatens the very places these animals call home.
Illegal wildlife trade and poaching continue to drive certain species to the brink of extinction. Pollution and human-wildlife conflicts further compound the challenges they face.
It is crucial for us to understand these threats and take action to protect our precious wildlife.
Conservation Efforts and Our Role
Thankfully, there are organisations and individuals working tirelessly to protect and conserve wildlife.
These conservationists focus on habitat preservation, species reintroduction, and education, among other initiatives. As responsible global citizens, we can contribute to these efforts in various ways.
By supporting conservation organisations, volunteering, or even making small lifestyle changes, we can make a positive impact on wildlife conservation.
Every action, no matter how small, matters.
Raising Awareness and Spreading the Word
One of the most powerful tools at our disposal is raising awareness. During Wild about Wildlife Month, let's use our voices and platforms to spread the word about the importance of wildlife conservation.
Share captivating stories, stunning photographs, and educational facts on social media or within our communities.
Encourage others to join the cause, fostering a collective commitment to protect and preserve our natural heritage.
Connecting with Wildlife
In addition to raising awareness, let's also take the time to connect with wildlife on a personal level.
Visit local wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, or nature reserves. Observe birds in your backyard, go for a hike, or simply take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature around you.
The more we connect with wildlife, the more we will value and protect it.
So, let's immerse ourselves in the wonders of nature and embrace our wild side!
The Magnificent Big Cats
Our adventure begins with the regal big cats that roam the earth's varied landscapes.
From the stealthy leopard to the iconic lion and the elusive snow leopard, these majestic creatures have long captured our imaginations.
Snow leopards play a key role as a top predator, an indicator of the health of their high-altitude habitat, and, increasingly, an important indicator of the impacts of climate change on mountain environments.
If snow leopards thrive, so will countless other species and the largest freshwater reservoirs of the planet.
However, many big cat species face numerous threats, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts.
This month, let's learn about their plight and support organizations working tirelessly to safeguard their future.
Sri Lankan leopards are highly adaptable.
They are found in a range of habitat types, through from different kinds of forest, to grasslands and even in tea plantations and home gardens!
They are effective hunters and take a variety of different prey items.
They mostly prefer small deer, but will also eat wild boar, hare, monkeys, birds and even crabs and insects.
This flexibility has allowed them to survive in a range of environments across Sri Lanka.
Less than 1000 Sri Lankan leopards are left in the wild.
This is due mainly to conflict with humans – human encroachment into leopard habitat, hunting of animals that come too close to human areas or interfere with farmers, and poaching for skins and other body parts.
The Enchanting Marine Life
Dive into the depths of the world's oceans and witness the enchanting marine life that thrives beneath the surface.
From graceful whales to playful dolphins, from vibrant coral reefs to intricate seahorses, our seas are teeming with biodiversity.
However, marine ecosystems face increasing challenges such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
As advocates for wildlife, let's strive to protect these fragile underwater worlds.
There are 36 species of marine dolphins - living in nearly all aquatic environments, including oceans, coastal, estuarine and freshwater - and in temperatures ranging from less than 0°C to more than 30°C.
In Britain, bottlenose dolphins are concentrated around west Wales and eastern Scotland - with the coasts of Devon and Cornwall also having pods.
Scotland is home to the most northerly pod of bottlenose dolphins in the world.
Marine traffic around the British Isles is amongst the most intense of anywhere in the world.
Noise pollution from naval activity, the oil and gas industry, seismic surveys and underwater construction can stress and injure cetaceans.
It also severely interferes with their ability to communicate, reproduce, navigate and find prey - sometimes proving fatal.
Whales roam throughout all of the world's oceans, communicating with complex and mysterious sounds.
Their sheer size amazes us: the blue whale can reach lengths of more than 100 feet and weigh up to 200 tons—as much as 33 elephants.
Despite living in the water, whales breathe air.
And like humans, they are warm-blooded mammals who nurse their young. A thick layer of fat called blubber insulates them from cold ocean waters.
Some whales are known as baleen whales, including blue, right, bowhead, sei, and gray whales.
This refers to the fact that they have special bristle-like structures in their mouths (called baleen) that strain food from the water. Other whales, such as beluga or sperm whales, have teeth.
The Extraordinary Bird Species
Take to the skies and discover the fascinating world of birds.
With their vibrant plumage, melodious songs, and impressive migratory journeys, birds have always captivated our hearts.
From the resplendent peacock to the agile hummingbird and the endangered African grey parrot, our avian friends face threats such as habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade.
Let's celebrate their beauty and work towards creating safe havens for them to flourish.
As king-sized members of the parrot family, the macaw is hard to miss with its instantly recognisable vibrant, colourful plumage, large hooked beak, and ear-piercing squawks.
Not only colorful but entertaining, these large, powerful birds are outgoing and friendly, with each species having different personalities and likes and dislikes.
In fact, the largest of its species, the Hyacinth macaw, is known as the ‘gentle giant” due to its affectionate and sweet nature, especially if it was a hand-fed baby.
While in contrast, the Scarlet macaw tends to be more aggressive and infamous for getting meaner with age.
Female Lyrebirds build dome-shaped nests made of sticks.
They build these cosy structures on the ground, in tree stumps, in tree ferns or even in caves, and fill them with fern fronds, feathers, moss and roots – a particularly talented lyrebird could even put Grand Designs homeowners to shame.
Once they’ve built and decorated their home, they’ll generally lay one egg, which hatches in six weeks.
The young lyrebird will then live in the nest for the first 6-10 weeks of its life.
Threats to the species include danger from vehicle collisions, domestic animal, and foxes.
Having survived the devastation of the 2019-20 bushfires by living in one of the Unburnt Six forest areas on our east coast, lyrebirds are still vulnerable to threats such as land-clearing and logging and need our help to thrive and stay as superb as we know they are.
The Diverse Rainforest Inhabitants
Venture into the lush rainforests, the Earth's green lungs, where a multitude of life thrives.
From the magnificent jaguar to the colorful poison dart frogs, from the elusive orangutan to the remarkable sloth, rainforests are home to an astonishing array of wildlife.
Sadly, rampant deforestation and unsustainable practices endanger these delicate ecosystems.
Let's join hands to protect and restore the rainforests that sustain countless species.
The name orangutan means "man of the forest" in the Malay language.
In the lowland forests in which they reside, orangutans live solitary existences.
They feast on wild fruits like lychees, mangosteens, and figs, and slurp water from holes in trees.
They make nests in trees of vegetation to sleep at night and rest during the day.
Adult male orangutans can weigh up to 200 pounds.
Flanged males have prominent cheek pads called flanges and a throat sac used to make loud verbalisations called long calls.
An unflanged male looks like an adult female.
In a biological phenomenon unique among primates, an unflanged male can change to a flanged male for reasons that are not yet fully understood.
Jaguars are the third-largest cat in the world and can weigh over 300 pounds.
However, their size varies by region, with jaguars in Central America being smaller than those found in the Amazon and the Pantanal.
Jaguars are strictly carnivorous and are considered opportunistic hunters, meaning they will prey on almost any animal that crosses their path.
Deer, peccaries, tapirs, iguanas, capybaras, armadillos, and monkeys are among the many kinds of animals that fall prey to jaguars.
The powerful bite of jaguars makes them excellent hunters; their teeth possess the strength to pierce through crocodile hides and turtle shells.
Once jaguars acquire meat for consumption, they use pointy bumps on their tongues, called papillae, to scrape the meat from its bones.
The Endearing Endangered Species
Our final spotlight falls on the endangered species that urgently need our attention and support.
From the critically endangered mountain gorillas to the iconic sea turtles and the gentle giant pandas, these remarkable creatures symbolize the fragility of our planet's biodiversity.
Through conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and education, we can ensure their survival for generations to come.
Embrace the Wild Spirit
As we celebrate Wild about Wildlife Month, let's embrace the wild spirit within us and champion the cause of wildlife conservation.
By learning, advocating, and taking action, we can secure a brighter future for the remarkable creatures we share our planet with. Remember, the fate of wildlife lies in our hands.
Let us unite to protect, preserve, and cherish the splendour of wildlife today and for generations to come.
Together, let's make a difference and ensure that the wonders of wildlife continue to inspire and awe us for eternity.