By Carson Luke and Austin The 12 Days

By: Carson, Luke, and Austin The 12 Days of Endangered Species

Crested Partridge “Rollulus rouloul” The Crested Partridge is a threatened species that lives in the lowland rainforests of Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Exact numbers are not known, however, it is known that these beautiful birds are more commonly seen in zoos rather than the wild due to substantial loss of habitat. Fun Fact: The Crested Partridge prefers to run rather than fly to escape danger.

Grand Skink “Oligosoma grande” The Grand Skink is a critically endangered species that hails exclusively from New Zealand. Due to increased agricultural expansion, these lizards have seen their population decrease by almost 90% since the year 2000. Estimates indicate that there around 2, 000 individuals remaining. Fun Fact: The Grand Skink stays well camouflaged with a scale pattern resembling lichen-covered rocks.

Fearful Owl “Nesasio solomonensis” Indigenous to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, the Fearful Owl is a very large forest owl with an estimated population of roughly 6, 000 individuals. Due to habitat loss and largescale habitat fragmentation, the Fearful Owl population is seeing a dangerous decline in overall numbers. Fun Fact: When calling, the Fearful Owl emits a loud, human-like cry in intervals of 10 seconds.

Bluestripe Darter “Percina cymatotaenia” The Bluestripe Darter is a freshwater, ray-finned fish that lives primarily in the Gasconade and Osage river drainages in Missouri. A specific number of individuals is not known but the species is listed as endangered. Fun Fact: Other Darters include the Amber, Tangerine, and Goldline Darter.

Golden Frog “Atelopus zeteki” The Golden Frog is a critically endangered species that inhabits the rainforests of Panama. Due to loss of habitat, over collection, and spreading of the Chytrid fungus, these frogs have become nearly extinct in the wild. Fun Fact: In order to attract mates, these frogs actually wave at prospective females in order to win their attention.

Izu Thrush “Turdus celaenops” The Izu Thrush is a bird endemic to Japan. It inhabits deciduous woodlands and often times ploughed farmlands. These birds are threatened due to expansion of tourism and therefore destruction of their habitat. Fun Fact: These birds get their name from the Izu islands which they inhabit.

Brindle Bass “Epinephelus lanceolatus” More commonly referred to as the Giant Grouper, these fish inhabit just about every ocean in the world. Due to use of cyanide and explosives for fishing, these giants have been almost wiped out in many parts of the world. Fun Fact: The world record catch for one of these giants weighed in at almost 400 pounds.

Western Gerbil “Gerbillus hesperinus” These rodents are found in Morocco, inhabiting primarily coastal sand dunes. These gerbils are listed as threatened due to their rapidly decreasing wild population. Fun Fact: A group of gerbils is called a horde.

Sandy Mole Rat “Spalax arenarius” These rodents are native to the Ukraine, where numbers are only stable in the Black Sea State Reserve. These animals are listed as endangered due to deforestation and expansion of agriculture. Fun Fact: These Mole Rats can seen on Ukraine currency from 2005.

Cuban Parrot “Amazona leucocephala” The Cuban Parrot or, Cuban Amazon, is found in the woodlands and dry forests of Cuba. The world population is estimated at around 10, 000 individuals due to loss of habitat and trading. Fun Fact: These birds are commonly used as house pets.

Piping Plover “Charadrius melodus” These birds like wide open beaches such as those found at North America’s Great Lakes. At one point there was thought to be only 12 pairs of these majestic birds. However, because of strong conservation efforts, their numbers have climbed to a more stable number. Fun Fact: Piping Plovers are migrating birds.

Brown-Eared Pheasant “Crossoptilon mantchuricum” These birds are found in mountainous areas as well as deciduous forests in China. The rarest of all pheasants, these animals have suffered severe losses due to overhunting and loss of habitat. Fun Fact: These birds are exceptional diggers.

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