The Mouse Lemur and White-Flag Dolphin - Essay Example

?Endangered Species: The Mouse Lemur and White-Flag Dolphin Extinction had occurred in the past and is continuously occurring. It has been caused by either natural events or human-made activities, or a combination of both. No species, whether terrestrial, arboreal, aerial, or aquatic, is immune to extinction. But there are methods to rescue them from extinction. Two of the world’s rarest animals, the mouse lemur and the white-flag dolphin, are now facing eventual extinction. These two species are listed by the 1973 Endangered Species Act as ‘endangered’ animals. Conservation programs are being developed carried out to ensure the continued existence of these fascinating animals. This essay presents a comprehensive description and current circumstances of these two endangered animals. Introduction Extinction naturally happens. In fact, a huge number of species has already died out. With regards to this, several individuals and groups have explained the worsening global scarcity of species by declaring that because extinction naturally occurs, the extinction of recent species is merely an extension of a natural occurrence. The 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA) was the first official, federal attempt to recognize that every species serves a distinctive, special function in the environment and that people, especially governments, should keep from disturbing the balance of nature or the ecosystem (Liebesman & Petersen, 2003, 89). The double responsibility for stable and organized management of the ESA is assigned to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for land and several marine species and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for marine life forms. The Act’s original goal was “to provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved” (Liebesman & Petersen, 2003, 89). Despite this specific directive, nearly all implementation attempts have focused on safeguarding endangered or threatened species. Species classified as endangered or threatened are those likely to be extinct in the near future. Usually, ecological habitat for these species can only be found in remote areas that cannot sustain such populations. Absence of self-sufficient natural ecology and reduced genetic diversity hinder captive recovery attempts. From the point of view of ecology, a more effective method is to focus on protecting self-sufficient environment of these species, and allowing nature do its part (Liebesman & Petersen, 2003, 89-90). The FWS is tasked to list, delist, and reclassify protected species. When it is suggested to list a species as Endangered or Threatened, the FWS publicizes the suggestion in the U.S. government’s publication—the Federal Register (Baur & Irvin, 2010, 1). Afterward the FWS makes a decision whether to endorse, modify, or reject the suggestion. A species can be classified either ‘threatened’ or ‘endangered’, which depends on its condition and the level of threat. By definition, a ‘threatened’ species is “likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range” (Baur & Irvin, 2010, 34), whereas an ‘endangered’ species is “in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range” (Baur & Irvin, 2010, 34). A species is listed as endangered or threatened due to any of these reasons (Liebesman & Petersen, 2003, 18-20): (1) the threatened or current disruption or devastation, alteration, shortening of its range, or weakening of its habitat; (2) overexploitation for scientific, business-related, or recreational purposes; (3) the incompetence of current regulatory measures; (4) disease; and (5) other human-made or natural phenomena affecting its ability to survive. Once a species is listed, protective measures begin. Such measures involve protection from damaging impact of government programs or operations; limitations on the capturing and selling of species; and execution of recovery plans. These attempts strengthen the survival capacity of species and help in attaining the most important objectives— protecting flora and fauna and preserving their natural diversity and their habitat (Baur & Irvin, 2010, 48). However, in spite of rising awareness of the value of natural diversity and the present extinction problem, there remains insufficiency in the attempt to protect the remarkable diversity of life forms populating Earth. Attempts to protect different species seem to be ineffective. Even in the U.S., where rigid policies and regulations has been established, financial resources are abundant, and public support is great, there are still weaknesses in its recovery and conservation efforts (Baur & Irvin, 2010, 22). The major causes of the reduction in species population are mostly economic, political, and social. They refer to the importance people give to nature. Environmental issues are connected to matters of authority and control, economy, development, values and attitudes, and so on. These issues usually result in setbacks in endangered species protection programs. Conservationists are now aware that the major sources of extinction are largely political and socioeconomic, but biological models of conservation and recovery still prevail (Liebesman & Petersen, 2003, 23). Thus, broader, interdisciplinary models of conservation could lead to greater success in dealing with conflict and difficulties. The extinction problem is a complicated and worldwide issue. Therefore it is crucial to act vigorously. Even though the task is difficult, it cannot be ignored. The outcomes of the current events are happening fast, and the longer people ignore them the more problematic they will turn out to be. Mouse Lemur Mouse lemurs are very small primates that are originally found in Madagascar. Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur is the smallest type, which is also documented to be the world’s tiniest primate. On the contrary, the indri, which can also be found in Madagascar, is believed to be the biggest lemur (Gould & Sauther, 2006, 221). Mouse lemurs are classified as primates, similar to other lemurs, apes, monkeys, and even human beings. Even though lemurs are regarded to be the most primeval primates they are still interesting and remarkable species. The name ‘lemur’ means ‘ghost’ (Gould & Sauther, 2006, 221). The name was perhaps given to this species because they are nocturnal and their big eyes normally look weird and ghostly during the night. Mouse lemurs are wide awake at night. Similar to other nocturnal animals they have forward-facing, large eyes. These big eyes assist them in food searching during the night. Mouse lemurs also have furless toes and fingers, small limbs, and long tails. They live in trees (WildMadagascar.org, 2013, para 1-2). Sadly, a large number of mouse lemurs are now in danger of extinction because of the destruction of their habitat. Furthermore, they are taken illicitly as exotic pets because numerous people are attracted to their tininess and large eyes. Mouse lemurs, or species Microcebus, live in Madagascar, particularly in farms, plantations, and forests. At present more than a dozen types of Microcebus are known. Significant reductions in the size of their population and greater genetic differences have been discovered for several of them; these could be the result of deforestation and degradation of their habitats (Sodikoff, 2011, 181). Several members of species Microcebus are probably endangered due to these factors, but others are scattered all over the world and classified as ‘unthreatened’ (Sodikoff, 2011, 181). An example of this is M. griseorufus. Microcebus griseorufus is one of the smallest of lemurs in Madagascar. Its reproductive characteristic is clearly different from those of larger lemurs; in fact, it may be categorized within the ‘fast extreme of species’ (Sodikoff, 2011, 181) within its group. Thus, the survival of this species largely depends on its ability to reproduce quickly; it makes the most of reproduction to the detriment of the survival of the adult members. Dewar and Richard (2007 as cited in Sodikoff, 2011) believe that highly diverse environment, like Madagascar, support slow-reproducing and fast-reproducing species, like the sifakas that are slow reproducers but disperse reproductive capacity over an extended lifespan, and the mouse lemurs that compress reproductive capacity in an extremely short lifespan. Mouse lemurs have several advantages over other members of the genus. Primarily, they are more capable of enduring adult mortality because they have an extremely brief lifespan and an extremely high birth rate. Also, people may find it unwise to hunt them since they are very tiny. However, there is proof that M. griseorufus could be at risk of extinction in the foreseeable future. This is in spite of the fact that this species is almost everywhere in the prickly forests of the barren southwest, are not hunted by people, and in fact like the many prickly and barren forests better than the very few, more fertile environments in Madagascar (Sodikoff, 2011, 182). Moreover, there is proof that M. griseorufus could be dropping in number in its favored home, the prickly forest. Rasoazanabary, employing capture-mark-recapture methods, discovered a considerable decline in the population of mouse lemur in the prickly forests from 2003 to 2004 and from 2006 to 2007. By 2007, the number of mouse lemur had decreased massively in the prickly forest and had increased in the more conserved gallery forest—an environment that is not a favorable home for mouse lemurs (Gould & Sauther, 2006, 237). The obvious decrease in the number of mouse lemur in the prickly forest could be caused by human activity. According to Sodikoff (2011), in spite of its ‘protected’ standing, the prickly forest in fact endured more human intrusion than did the gallery forest from 2003 to 2007. Human activity has an impact on mouse lemurs. In Beza Mahafaly, residents use fantsiolotra trees for building houses; flat timbers can be directly used or sold. Sasavy trees are wanted because bees live in them, and people get honey from the nests of these bees. To force the bees to abandon their homes, villagers burn the trees (Gould & Sauther, 2006, 226). Sadly, both the fantsiolotra and sasavy trees are homes for M. griseorufus. The prickly forest is more easily targeted by loggers than the gallery forest, because it is seldom monitored (Gould & Sauther, 2006, 226). At times in the prickly forest, huge areas are burned for maize farming. Farm animals are scattered in the prickly forest, and sometimes in the gallery forest, and at times hidden in the forest to safeguard them from theft. Hiding domesticated animals in this way is widespread in forests that are not protected, but in 2006, the barriers were removed and the gallery forest was exploited for this reason (Gould & Sauther, 2006, 226-228). Hidden domestic animals in the forest can bother the movement and activities of mouse lemurs, forcing them to relocate, which consequently makes them more exposed to land and aerial predators. Goodman (1993 as cited in Gould & Sauther, 2006) reported that owl predation in forests that are not protected contributes to the yearly decline of the population of mouse lemur. A large number of mouse lemur groups are threatened by mining, farming, slash and burn cultivation, and logging. Populations could become segregated in divided parts of their habitat, preventing effective coupling and mating of genes. An ecosystem is naturally inhabited by predators, but in Madagascar there are other predators, such as cats and dogs, that contribute to the decline in mouse lemur population (WildMadagascar.org, 2013, para 4). Conservationists are making an effort to protect mouse lemurs in Madagascar. As reported by Russell Mittermeier, even though Madagascar “is only one of 92 countries with wild primate populations, it is alone responsible for 21 percent (14 of 65) of all primate genera and 36 percent (five of 14) of all primate families, making it the single highest priority” (WildMadagascar.org, 2013, para 8) for the protection of primates. He further notes that “Madagascar is so important for primates that primatologists divide the world into four major regions: the whole of South and Central America, all of southern and southeast Asia, mainland Africa, and Madagascar, which ranks as a full-fledged region all by itself” (WildMadagascar.org, 2013, para 8). In addition, Martin (1973 as cited in Harcourt, 1990, 36) explains that trees of specific size and age that have depressed areas of correct measurements could be needed for the continuing survival of a flourishing population of mouse lemurs. Severe deforestation took place in the research area of Martin from 1968 and 1970 and he discovered that this negatively affects mouse lemurs. Currently, there are no particular measures required to protect the Grey Mouse Lemur. But a comprehensive study to locate which mouse lemur is threatened would be valuable. These may be carried out along with studies of more endangered species (Harcourt, 1990, 36). Madagascar’s law safeguards all lemurs from illegal hunting and selling. Population figures are not yet definite, but the Grey Mouse Lemur is believed to be one of the most plentiful of the species Microcebus (Sodikoff, 2011, 183). But Richard and associates (1985 as cited in Harcourt, 1990, 35) believe that its population is ‘most likely’ shrinking. It is difficult to determine the exact population size of Grey Mouse Lemurs because they are extremely hard to locate at times, especially during dry seasons. The Grey Mouse Lemur is nocturnal and tiny, it lives in parts of secondary forest and, thus, it appears improbable that it might be seriously threatened. But Richard and associates (1985 as cited in Harcourt, 1990, 35) claim that its population is ‘most likely’ decreasing due to habitat devastation. Sussman and Richard (1986 as cited in Harcourt, 1990, 35-36) explain that because the Grey Mouse Lemur is dependent on locales of thick brushwood, it is likely that the widespread cattle grazing in southern Madagascar is damaging several of its most favorable habitats. White-Flag Dolphin The white-flag dolphin is the most uncommon dolphin in the world. This dolphin is also known as baiji, or the Chinese river dolphin. They are cetaceans. They are members of the Lipotidae genus. The white-flag dolphin is a mammal that lives in freshwater. They are found only in the Yangtze River of China (Petrie, 2010, 4). In earlier times, Chinese customs protected white-flag dolphins because they believed that they baiji is a reincarnation of one of their princesses. The baiji is also known as the ‘Giant Panda of the Yangtze River’ (Petrie, 2010, 4). The giant panda of China is listed as an endangered species. However, at present, the white-flag dolphin is also at risk of extinction. Nobody is certain about their current population, but scientists believe that it is already shrinking. According to current reports, white-flag dolphin is at the verge of extinction. There are less than 100 of them existing today and would completely die out if no appropriate protective steps are implemented (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001, 463). Qiqi, the only artificially bred white-flag dolphin in the world, is becoming old in seclusion as time progresses (Turvey, 2008, 64). Inhabiting the Yangtze River for millions of years, this species is the rarest in terms of population among existing fresh water dolphins. Hence it is not merely classified as China’s important protected species, but also one of the world’s most endangered animals. Due to China’s political and geographic remoteness, very few are known about the rare white-flag dolphin by Western scientists until missions were sent in the 1970s. Studies in early 1990s led to findings of only nine white-flag dolphins (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001, 464). This species is currently known to live in the streams and lower parts of the Chang Jiang River system in China. In size and shape the white-flag dolphin looks like the other members of the family Platanistidae, but it is still different in particular subtle features (Petrie, 2010, 5). Similar to other river dolphins, the white-flag dolphin has a high-domed temple, but its elongated beak curls upward. The other traits of the white-flag dolphin are as follows (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001, 464): The dorsal fin is short and triangular and continues toward the tail as a low ridge; the pectoral fins are short and wide. Its color is usually a blue-gray, fading to white on the underside. The eyes are small but functional, and the blowhole is oriented crosswise to the body and is elliptical in shape. The white-flag dolphin has been the topic of numerous local stories, one of which could have contributed to its survival in its heavily populated habitat. It was believed that this river dolphin came out after an attractive princess killed herself by jumping into the lake—she was reborn in the body of a small dolphin (Petrie, 2010, 5). As a consequence of this tale, the lake’s fishermen refrain from catching or hunting the dolphin. There were roughly four hundred white-flag dolphins in 1980s. Studies carried out in 1986 revealed that on the whole forty-eight groups of white-flag dolphins existed, with their overall population depleted to three hundred. Their population further decreased by one hundred in 1999 (Turvey, 2008, 39). At present their population is still dropping fast, almost on the brink of extinction. The white-flag dolphin would be the very first species of dolphins to completely die out because of human activities, various scientists projected after studying the present circumstances of this species. The white-flag dolphin can only be located in China and is resistant to artificial propagation; hence its extinction would be absolute (Turvey, 2008, 39-40). Artificial propagation is one of the most successful methods to keep endangered species from extinction, which was effectively used to save the Chinese alligator and giant panda. Attempts to save the white-flag dolphin have produced several outcomes in the past two decades but remain inadequate. Dolphins are very hard to artificially propagate, scientists claim, and the United States has continuously failed to artificially propagate the white-flag dolphin after seven decades of research (Petrie, 2010, 25). Even though it is currently protected by China’s legal system, the white-flag dolphin remains threatened. Current studies report that there are only roughly 200 white-flag dolphins. Several are captured in nets and mistakenly caught by fishermen, which is the major cause of fatality (Petrie, 2010, 37). They are also slaughtered when they get caught into propellers, a more common incident as the number of boats in the river increases. It is believed that the loud sound from the boats’ engines impairs the capacity of the dolphin to find its way by means of echolocation. Nevertheless, similar to its relatives in the Amazon, Ganges, and Indus Rivers, the major danger to the white-flag dolphin is human activity which can destroy its habitat (Zhou & Zhang, 1991, 94). Inhabiting a locale that is populated by roughly 300 million people, the white-flag dolphin is constantly exposed to dangers from water development projects like dams. The building of a massive hydroelectric dam on Chang Jiang River was proposed. The exploding devices used to construct such structures can be fatal to dolphins living in the locale. The completed structures are likely to hinder fish migrations that the dolphin depends on for food and split the dolphins from one another (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001, 464). With the population of dolphins already shrinking, dividing the dolphins into smaller groups could prevent the very few dolphins of reproductive age from getting in touch with each other and reproduce. The major threats are electro-fishing and fishing equipment like rolling hooks and nets which caused numerous deaths of white-flag dolphins from 1970 to 1990. Other threats to the continued existence of white-flag dolphins are underwater explosions (e.g. illegal fishing), vessel accidents, dams and other river development projects, and pollution (Petrie, 2010, 52). Chinese scientists found out that explosions were one of the major causes of white-flag dolphin fatalities in the river’s lower reaches from 1979 to 1981. The growing number of river development projects, such as the building of floodgates and dams in Yangtze’s lower and middle reaches, has led to hindrances between the lakes and the rivers. The dams disrupt the activity of the white-flag dolphins, and removed their entrance to nearby lakes and tributaries. These dams also brought about severe damages to the supply of fish resources (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001, 465). The Three Gorges Dam, the biggest dam in the world, has been built at the center of a major point of biodiversity in China, which negatively affected the homes of the white-river dolphin (Turvey, 2008, 28). Even though the situation for a small number of remaining white-flag dolphin looks bleak, there are still measures that can be taken to save them. Conservation attempts involve the improvement of several natural resources. Furthermore, Chinese scientists have started to prepare for a semi-captive breeding project for the white-flag dolphin. They are deriving their plan from the techniques employed in effective captive-breeding projects for the oceanic bottlenose dolphin in the U.S. (Turvey, 2008, 55). Not like the project for the bottlenose dolphin, which utilized big containers in aquarium, Chinese scientists attempt to utilize Chang Jiang River’s short outreaches as enclosures to protect the remaining white-flag dolphins of reproductive age (Turvey, 2008, 55-56). Chinese scientists expect that these confined dolphins will be as flourishing at reproducing as their counterparts in the open water, and that an ecologically viable species will be developed and become self-sufficient in their sheltered homes. Still, captive breeding alone is inadequate; this white-flag dolphin’s river habitat should become safer. Several natural reserves have been created along the Yangtze River’s lower and middle reaches since 1986 for the conservation of the white-flag dolphin. Unfortunately, these reserves are insufficient to stop the accidental death of these animals. Semi-natural reserves, besides the natural reserves already created, were formed to house and protect white-flag dolphins. But these semi-natural reserves have never been utilized for captive breeding of white-flag dolphins (Turvey, 2008, 59). A male white-flag dolphin was rescued from fishing device in 1980 and treated in Baiji Dolphinarium at Wuhan’s Institute of Hydrobiology of Chinese Academy (Turvey, 2008, 59). After more than two decades in confinement the dolphin died in 2002 due to old age. From 1985 to 1987, in response to the fast and severe decline of the white-flag dolphin, the Chinese government implemented the ‘Urgent Circular Banning Hunt, Trade, and Smuggling of Precious and Rare Animals’, and the ‘Circular for the Protection of Precious and Rare Wildlife’, legalizing the conservation of white-flag dolphins (Zhou & Zhang, 1991, 63). Afterward, the white-flag dolphin was listed under the ‘First Category of National Key Protected Wildlife Species’ (Zhou & Zhang, 1991, 63) in China. Riverside construction, dam projects, extensive fishing, and river traffic should be decreased and controlled in vicinities where white-flag dolphins currently inhabit so that future revival efforts can guarantee the continued existence of the very few endangered white-flag dolphins. Every marine mammal, such as the white-flag dolphin, is protected in the U.S. under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001, 464). Furthermore, according to Petrie (2010), this animal is categorized by the MMPA as ‘depleted’ and ‘endangered’ by the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Conclusions The continued lost of biodiversity is one of the major environmental problems that the world is facing today. Different species have already died out in the past, and many more are in the verge of extinction today. Two of the world’s rarest animals, the mouse lemur and the white flag dolphin, are currently listed as endangered species. Conservation efforts are now in place to rescue these remarkable animals from eventual extinction. However, despite continuous conservation efforts, these animals are still threatened. Similar to other environmental problems, the continuous decline in the population of these animals is caused primarily by human activities. References Baur, D. & Irvin, W.R. (2010). Endangered Species Act: Law, Policy, and Perspectives. New York: American Bar Association. Gould, L. & Sauther, M. (2006). Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation. New York: Springer. Harcourt, C. (1990). Lemurs of Madagascar and the Comoros: The IUNCN Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: IUCN. Liebesman, L. & Petersen, R. (2003). Endangered Species Deskbook. Washington, DC: Environmental Law Institute. Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2001). Endangered Wildlife and Plants of the World: Dee-fox. New York: Marshall Cavendish. Petrie, K. (2010). Chinese River Dolphins. Minnesota: ABDO. Sodikoff, G.M. (2011). The Anthropology of Extinction: Essays on Culture and Species Death. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. Turvey, S. (2008). Witness to Extinction: How We Failed to Save the Yangtze River Dolphin. Oxford: Oxford University Press. WildMadagascar.Org (2013). Lemurs of Madagascar. Retrieved from http://www.wildmadagascar.org/wildlife/lemurs.html Zhou, K. & Zhang, X. (1991). Baiji: The Yangtze River Dolphin and other endangered animals of China. California: Yilin Press. Read More