Hello all and welcome to my blog!

So, my blog is going to be focused on learning about different endangered animals every week. I do want to include other topics such as what is going on in the world the past week relating to environmental news (both good and bad),  what I eat for Meatless Mondays (and also giving some recipes I want to try), inspiring individuals, and other random bits of information about myself.

I plan to make an “About Me’ page in the future, so I will keep introductions a little short. I have always been passionate about the environment and taking actions to help the world around me one step at a time. The topic of environmental destruction is humongous (sadly), so I am going to just focus on a subtopic of endangered animals. I cry over every little thing, so thinking about how entire species are being wiped out due to human actions is my worst nightmare (chances are, I was crying while researching the animal of the week). To sum it up, I am going on a journey to become more sustainable and more aware of my surroundings. I hope you stick around to join me in this journey of learning about the world around us and what actions we can take to do more.

Spoiler Alert: I chose the Amur Tiger as the first species to educate myself about because for one, I think many people have heard about this species. And for two, I think it is symbolic in that these huge, proud, and majestic creatures have been exploited to the point of endangerment. I think it really sets the tone for the gravity of the situation we are in.

Endangered Species Of The Week: Amur Tiger

Also known as the Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), there are only about 450 remaining today. The Siberian tiger resides in a small region in the southeast region Russia. They are also located in small numbers in China and North Korea. They can be up to 10 feet in length and weigh anywhere from  396 to 660 pounds.

It is interesting to note that this species was on the verge of extinction in the 1940s. There were only about 40 left due to extensive hunting in the Russian Far East. However, as stated previously, there are around 450 tigers in the wild today. This increase is due to Russia granting the tiger full protection. However, don’t let this increase diminish from the fact that the species is still gravely endangered and needs help.

Reasons for endangerment

The largest threat to the species is the illegal wildlife trade. They are poached as trophies and for their body parts. They are also threatened by loss of habitat, primarily through Russia’s logging industry as well as slash-and burn agriculture.

Fun Facts:

• They are the largest cat in the world
• No two tigers have the same stripe pattern (similar to human fingerprints)
• They are solitary creatures that mark their scent on trees to keep other creatures away
• They can eat up to 60 pounds of food in one sitting
• A litter contains 2 to 6 cubs and at 2-3 years will leave the den to live on their own

How You Can Help:

Wildcats Conservation Alliance: Learn more about the Amur tiger and its threats, make a monetary donation, and learn how zoos around the world are banding together to save the species.

World Wildlife Fund: Learn more about the Amur tiger and what is being done to save its population.

WCS Russia: Learn how Russia is working to protect this native species and how they are fighting poachers.

Further Readings:

Tigers in Crisis: Tigers in Crisis was created by Endangered Species Journalist Craig Kasnoff in 1998 as an effort to promote the plight of endangered tigers and the efforts to save them.

National Geographic’s Siberian Tiger Page

 

Sources

https://www.britannica.com/list/10-of-the-most-famous-endangered-species

http://www.animalplanet.com/wild-animals/endangered-species/amur-tiger/

Ok byeeee! Sorry this was long, but I hope you found it interesting! See you next week 😀