#882. Zorro

The Zorro are six species of South American canids, sometimes known as the South American foxes, although they are a different Genus from the "true" foxes. This fellow is Darwin's Zorro. His range is very restricted; he is found only on Chiloé Island and in an isolated patch of Chile. There are considered to be less than 400 individuals in the wild. He lives in dense forest, hunting small vertebrates and eating fruit, and occasionally carrion.

Only one day to go and I've finished the Z's!

#813: Waldrapp

The Waldrapp is a Critically Endangered species of ibis. Once he ranged across much of the Middle East, northern Africa and parts of Europe. The reasons for his decline are not fully understood, but there are estimated to be 500 birds surviving in the wild, with a further 1000 in captivity. Populations are being heavily monitored and breeding programs are working to train and re-establish captive-born birds in the wild.

An Austrian fellow succesfully bred this birds in captivity and helped re-establish a wild colony. In the process, he had to teach the birds their migration paths.
You can watch part one of the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pZ4My_ZUeU

#809: Vleihaas

The Vleihaas, or Riverine Rabbit, is one of the rarest mammals in the world - with less than 250 adults remaining. She is found only in isolated areas of the Karoo Desert, in river basins. She browses on foliage and flowers during the night, retiring to shallow scrapes during the day. She is slow-breeding, for a rabbit, with does birthing only one or two kits a year. Her habitat is under threat from farmland conversion, and much of it lies on privately owned land.

#795: Vermilion Darter

The Vermilion Darter is a Critically Endangered freshwater fish, found only in Turkey Creek in Alabama.This river drains more than 54,000 acres of farmland and, as such, is filled with sediment and undesirable chemicals. The diminutive Darter wasn't officially identified as a distinct species until 1992 and was classified as Endangered in 2001. In 2007, a recovery plan was set in place and, finally, in 2010 15 miles of critical habitat have been protected in the hope of saving the species.

#788: Vaquita

The Vaquita is found in the Gulf of California, where less than 100 individuals remain.This diminutive dolphin is one of the smallest Cetacean species, growing about 140 cm long. She is generally solitary in nature and favours lagoons and shallow water. Here she preys on small fish, crustaceans and squid, which she locates using echolocation. Her greatest threat comes from illegal trawl-netting, especially around the critically endangered totoaba. This large fish is famed (and now farmed) for its swim bladder, a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. Sadly, demand for this has pushed not only the totoaba to the brink of extinction, but Vaquita also become entangled in the nets and drown.

#717: Spix Macaw

The Spix Macaw is the rarest parrot in the world, being entirely extinct in the wild, with the captive population standing at around 100 birds. He is the small blue macaw made famous by the film "Rio".  Spix Macaw lived in the caatinga forest in northeastern Brazil. This is a dry forest of stunted trees, thorny shrubs and cacti (a far cry from the rainforest in "Rio") that has suffered from dramatic deforestation. The last wild macaw was sighted in 2000. With the captive population descended from only 7 birds, this species has a struggle ahead of it to survive. However, areas of the caatinga have been set aside as a reserve, with restoration in process, and the plan is to release captive-bred birds within the next 5 years. One of these captive-breeding facilities is in, of all places, Qatar, and owned by a sheik.

Here's more infomration on the Al Wabra Wildlife Preserve: http://awwp.alwabra.com/

I have also written a short story inspired by the movie "Rio" and the plight of this parrot - and the hope of it one day being released into the wild. It is called "Saving the Blue" (or possibly may be renamed to just "Saving Blue") and has not yet been released as I am contemplating seeking an anthology for it.

#700: Sifaka

To celebrate TWO YEARS of my Zootrophy, an Animal-a-day, project and to represent the #700th (actual/real) animal I have drawn as part of this project, I present to you an animal that has special significance to me:

The Sifaka are a Genus of lemurs, characterised by their long arms and shorter legs. Largely arboreal in nature, should a Sifaka need to travel along the ground, she moves with bipedal, sideways hops, using her forearms for balance. There are nine species, all of which are endangered, four critically. All favour a vegetarian diet and the eastern, rainforest, species dine on such a variety of plants that they cannot be successfully kept in captivity. This beautiful Silky Sifaka, and her black-furred cousin, the Perrier's, only survive in isolated  rainforest pockets, where seclusion has protected them from habitat destruction and hunting. The western, dry forest, species are more generalistic and have been succesfully bred in captivity.

The future of these rare and beautiful creatures is fragile. Madagascar is a country with unique fauna and flora, facing severe pressure from hunting, over-population and deforestation. Due to its poor economic status - it is one of the poorest countries in the world - it has also been exploited by other countries who have, and still are, pillaged it of natural wealth (ie: gemstones, rosewood). Climate change also brings with it additional challenges for the unique wildlife.

You have probably noticed that I, like many zoologists, have a fascination with Madagascar. The future of its wildlife lies not in zoos or other institutions - although they do play a major role - but in conservation and education. Now there are many projects working with the local people of the various regions to help them take responsibility for the survival of these species.

Heres's a link to how you can help: http://www.wildmadagascar.org/help.htm

Other Sifaka species featured in this blog:

Coquerel Sifaka (Endangered)
Crowned Sifaka (Endangered)
Diademed Sifaka (Critically Endangered)
Milne-Edwards Sifaka (Endangered)
Perrier Sifaka (Critically Endangered)

To come:
Verreaux Sifaka

#682: Saola

The Saola is the Asian unicorn - in the way that she is extremely elusive and critically endangered. The species was first discovered, from remains, in 1992, with the first living speciman captured on camera in 1999. Her range is extremely small, the isolated forests of the Annamite Range, in Indochina. Due to her scarcity, little is known about her behaviour, but she appears to be solitary and crepuscular in nature. Her tongue can extend up to 16cm and the upper surface bears back-facing barbs, which help her browse foliage.

#675: Saiga

The Saiga is an antelope once found across the Eurasian Steppes. Now, due to uncontrolled hunting for food and his horn, numbers have shrunk considerably and he is classified as Critically Endangered. Unfortunately, further pressure has been put on the population by a mysterious illness, which by May 2015 had eliminated one third of the living population. Saiga are herd animals, gathering in large groups on the grasslands. Here they feed on a number of plants, including those distatseful to other animals. The distinctive large snout acts to filter dust during the dry summer months, whilst also cooling the blood. In the winter it warms the frigid air as the animal breathes.

#671: Ruffed Lemur

The Ruffed Lemur is a Critically Endangered primate found in scattered populations across the east coast of Madagascar. She is the largest of the "true" Lemur Family (Lemuridae). Her diet is vegetarian: leaves, fruit and seeds. Nectar is lapped from flowers. She is a major pollinator of the travellers tree, a palm-like tree endemic to the island. Female Ruffed Lemur will mate with multiple male, giving birth to twins or triplets. Unlike other Lemuridae lemurs, she does not carry her youngsters, instead leaving them safely in a well-hidden nest. Two species occur - this black and white, and the red. The two species will hybridise in captivity.

#668: Rothschild Mynah

The only bird endemic to Bali, the Rothschild Mynah perches on the edge of extinction. In 2001, only six wild birds existed, but captive-bred individuals were released to supplement the population. Now, his range is limited to a small patch within a national park. Here he lives in small flocks, feeding on insects, seeds and berries. Pairs are long-term and monogamous, with the two maintaining bonds through courtship rituals and mutual preening. His main threat comes from poaching, as despite strict restrictions around breeding and trading these birds, demand within the pet trade exists.

I made him a Zootrophy card (because I haven't for a while):

#649: Red Wolf

Another animal that starts with an adjective. Oh well! This is the last "red" animal, I promise! (although warning, there will be a number of "yellow" ones later).

The Red Wolf is found only in the southeastern United States and considered an immediate between the Wolf and the Coyote. Her taxonomic status is not truly known, although she is currently considered a distinct species. Unfortunately, an extensive extermination project combined with coyote-crossbreeding reduced the population to very small numbers. Captive breeding has seen her reintroduced to some of her formal habitat, although she is critically endangered. In behaviour, she is more social than a coyote, but less so than a wolf. Partnerships are monogamous, and the two raise up to seven pups.

#636: Radiated Tortoise

The critically endangered Radiated Tortoise is native to Madagascar. He makes his home in the dry forests of the south and southwest. Here his population is in severe decline. Hunting and habitat loss have taken their toll, aqs is illegal poaching for the pet trade. His diet is vegetarian, with Opuntia cacti being a particular favourite. He can live well over 100 years, with the oldest recorded Radiated Tortoise living 188 years.

#597: Ploughshear Tortoise

The Ploughshare Tortoise is now found only in a small patch of dry deciduous forest in north-western Madagascar. He has suffered greatly from deforestation and being hunted by both humans and pigs, who target the eggs. Unfortunately, poaching also occurs as demand for this attractive reptile is high, despite it being internationally protected as a Critically Endangered species. The term "ploughshare" comes from the male's gular projection - the part extending out the front of his belly shell - which resembles an old-fashioned ploughshare. The is used in courtship, as rival males fight for the right to mate with the female, seeking to overturn his rival, literally.

Creature Feature #590: Pinwheel

The Dlinza Pinwheel is a strange and beautiful snail, characterised by the bristles radiating from their almost translucent shell. They are found only in the Dlinza forest, in South Africa, an area that measures only 250 hectares. Preferred habitat is coastal scarp forest, where they can be found beneath the low-level leaves, within the leaf litter and under decaying logs. Although the forest is protected, it lies within an area of urban development and the snail is very vulnerable to habitat disturbance and weather fluctuations.

Creature Feature #553: Oxapampa Poison Frog

Today is  the 7th annual “Save the Frogs” day. So, I figured I would track down a frog that started with O. This was not as easy as you might think, being that I have already drawn the Ornate Horned Frog. Luckily, thewebsiteofeverything introduced me to this fellow, the critically endangered Oxapampa Poison Frog.

The Oxapampa Poison Frog is found only in a patch of montane rainforest in Peru, near - you guessed it - Oxapampa. He was first discovered in 1998. diurnal in habit, he likely forages on terrestrial insects and has been found sleeping beneath leaf litter, near water. Most of the other frog species within his range favour nocturnal foraging. Due to logging and the cultivation of chili peppers, his habitat is badly fragmented and the introduction of rainbow trout to the region put him further at risk.

Here’s a chance to help save the frogs and receive beautiful art in this stunning hardback book “Amphibian Love”:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/amphibian-love-an-artbook-for-the-frogs/x/603003

Or you can just go here and donate or learn more: http://www.savethefrogs.com/

Creature Feature #545: Oahu Tree Snail

This fellow is an Oahu Tree Snail. They are one of 41 species of large land snail found only on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. They are beautiful - like living jewels. Found in the moist and dry forests, particularly of the mountainous regions, they climb the trees, grazing on fungus. Of these 41 species, some may well be extinct and the others are critically endangered. Why? Because they are predated by introduced pests such as chameleons, rats, and carnivorous rose snail, which was introduced to eliminate the giant land snail (an agricultural pest and thus a herbivore). Unfortunately, the native snails proved tastier and easier to catch - and many species were literally eaten to extinction.

Creature Feature #538: Orangutan

The Orangutan are two species of great ape found in Asia - specifically Indonesia and Malaysia. She leads an arboreal lifestyle. Her diet is largely vegetarian, although she has been known to eat insects and the occasional egg. She leads a relatively solitary life, unless she has a dependent youngster. Her range is within  the territory of a dominant male and she will meet with him during mating season. She engages in nest building - creating a platform by manipulating branches and manouvering leaves - on which to sleep during the night, and also to sit during the day. Orangutan are very intelligent, and are under threat from deforestation. Large swathes of their habitat has been destroyed for palm oil plantations with the adults being shot. Youngsters end up being kept by pets or sold to tourists. Luckily help is at hand with sanctuaries rehabilitating those that are rescued and awareness of their plight being spread. However, it may have come too late, with both species declining rapidly in the wild.

Creature Feature #492: Namdapha Flying Squirrel

The beautiful Namdapha Flying Squirrel is a large flying squirrel, endemic to India. She is shy and nocturnal, found only in dry deciduous forests near water. Her gliding membrane extends from her forelegs to her hindlegs. Whilst this allows her to parachute from tree to tree, it does inhibit her agility through the branches. It is for this reason that she, and all flying squirrels, follow a nocturnal lifestyle. Due to her limited range and the wide occurance of poaching within this range, she is classified as Critically Endangered.

Creature Feature #474: Mongoose Lemur

The Mongoose Lemur is one of the smaller Eulemur ("true lemur") species and one of only two species to also be found outside of Madagascar - on the Comoros Islands (the other being the Common Brown). It is thought that they were introduced there. Mongoose Lemur change their sleeping patterns based on the temperature. During the  warm wet months he is more active during the day, but when it becomes drier, he follows nocturnal behaviour patterns. Although generally considered vegetarian, in captivity he has been observed stalking, killing and eating birds that venture into his enclosure.

Like 90% of lemur species it is likely he will become extinct within the next 20-25 years.