The upcoming Red Book list on endangered species features two noticeable absences — the Amur tiger and the gray whale.

Other changes in store for Russia’s Red Book, which is updated every 10 years, include the coordination of its data with the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List and a more objective approach, Izvestia reported.

The Red Book is coordinated by the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, which acknowledged that the previous list included many animals that didn’t belong.

Work on the book won’t be completed until November, but among the animals that may leave the list is the black crane, the Amur tiger and the gray whale.

The decision is a result of both an increase in the species’ numbers and new standards for including animals that come as a result of merging the Russian and IUCN standards.

Valentin Ilyashenko, who is leading the project, said the number of Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, has remained stable for about 15 years and that the big cats are even beginning to expand their territory.

Gray whales, a group of which have a migration route near Russia’s Pacific coast, have made an even more dramatic recovery, with numbers increasing to an estimated 30,000 worldwide from a low of 2,000.

Ilyashenko cautioned, however, that removing species from the list may pose new dangers for the animals. In the case of the gray whale, the responsibility for its preservation would shift from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to the Federal Fisheries Agency, which he said may decide to allow the animals to be hunted.

Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/arti ... z1pBS5zyr9
The Moscow Times

Source: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/arti ... 54693.html

The lion cubs from Blijdorp that where born in November came outside for the first time this week.

See the pictures here
http://www.depers.nl/binnenland/632409/Leeuwenwelpjes-naar-buiten.html

and here
http://www.rotterdamzoo.nl/nl/blijdorp%20actueel/dierennieuws/leeuwentweeling/De%20leeuwtjes%20zijn%20buiten!.html

An indian rhino was born in Amersfoort Zoo on 19 November. Last week, 15 December, it was named Sunanda. The name comes from Sanskrit and means 'child of the sun'. The name has been thought of by the Daltonschool De Gondelier from Amersfoort. The winning class revealed the name together with the major Lucas Bolsius.

Mother and her young currently stay in the inside enclosure. It is going very well with Sunanda en Saar. Sunanda drinks well, grows and continues to explore. The zoo is hoping that the two of them can be seen outside during the christmas holidays. Guests will be informed via http://www.babyneushoorn.nl.

source: http://www.dierenparkamersfoort.nl/Nieu ... m-sunanda-

Kodiak bear Ursus was found dead this morning in the outside enclosure of the bears at Emmen Zoo. He still reacted to his keeper yesterday evening but showed no signs of life this morning.

The vet was called but was only able to confirm that Ursus had died.
Last week Ursus had been outside a lot. He refused to go to his night enclosure. Outside, he was sleeping a lot but this is normal for a bear at this time of year.

An autopsy shall reveal the cause of death.

Ursus was born in a Belgian Zoo in January 1987. As a young bear he was seen in the cinema movie l'ours (The Bear) in 1988. In January 1994, he came to Emmen with four other bears. A long time he was part of a group of Kodiak bears. However, in the last 1.5 years he had the bear enclosure all for himself.

source (and photos): http://www.dierenparkemmen.nl/nl-nl/nie ... overleden/

Polar Bear Huggies, from Ouwehands Zoo, gave birth to two cubs on Thursday 01 December 2011. The keeper initially saw, via camera, three little polar bears but one appeared to have already been dead at birth. The birth of the twins is very special as there are very few polar bears born alive in zoos and stay alive.

The coming months remain touch and go. If everything goes well, then mother Huggies and her young can be seen 'nose to nose' in the polar bear enclosure.




source (and videos): http://www.ouwehand.nl/Basis.aspx?Tid=5 ... 96&stijl=8

Two asian lions were born on 13 November 2011. Lioness Shantee is the mother and Kumar is the father. Mum Shantee and her cubs will stay behind the scenes to give them the peace they need. For now everything appears to be going well and fingers crossed that it stays like this. Asian lioins are (in the wild as well as in zoos) rare and the breeding programme for this special animal can do with new additions.

Note: The cubs are not visible to the public.

source: http://www.rotterdamzoo.nl/nl/blijdorp% ... rennieuws/

Emmen Zoo is being cleared at the moment because one of the male elephants ended up in the empty gracht around the enclosure.

The elephant, aged 45, one of the oldest bulls in the park, lost one of his tusks due to his fall. He probably leaned forward because he saw something nice to eat. Subsequently his slipped into the empty gracht. Keepers are busy to lead the elephant via the gracht to his night enclosure.

As a precaution, visitors were escorted out of the park as male elephants can be unpredictable. He could be climbing out of the gracht. Furthermore, the keepers want to get the elephant calmly to his enclosure without being distracted by the watching public according to Emmen Zoo's speaksperson.

source: http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/5596/Planet-Watc ... fant.dhtml

A critically endangered species of rhino is now extinct in Vietnam, according to a report by conservation groups.


The WWF and the International Rhino Foundation said the country's last Javan rhino was probably killed by poachers, as its horn had been cut off.

Experts said the news was not a surprise, as only one sighting had been recorded in Vietnam since 2008.

Fewer than 50 individuals are now estimated to remain in the wild.

"It is painful that despite significant investment in Vietnamese rhino conservation, efforts failed to save this unique animal, " said WWF's Vietnam director Tran Thi Minh Hien.

"Vietnam has lost part of its natural heritage."

The authors of the report, Extinction of the Javan Rhino from Vietnam, said genetic analysis of dung samples collected between 2009-2010 in the Cat Tien National Park showed that they all belonged to just one individual.

Shortly after the survey was completed, conservationists found out that the rhino had been killed. They say it was likely to have been the work of poachers because it had been shot in a leg and its horn had been cut off.

Globally, there has been a sharp increase in the number of rhino poaching cases. Earlier this year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published a report that said rhino populations in Africa were facing their worst poaching crisis for decades.

An assessment carried out by Traffic, the global wildlife trade monitoring network, said the surge in the illegal trade in rhino horns was being driven by demands from Asian medicinal markets.

Conservation blow

The Vietnam rhino, as well as being the last of the species on mainland Asia, was also the last known surviving member of the Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus subspecies - one of three recognised groups of Javan rhino populations.

Another is already extinct. R. sondaicus inermis was formerly found in north-eastern India, Bangladesh and Burma.

The remaining subspecies, R. sondaicus sondaicus, is now found on Java, Indonesia. However, since the 1930s, the animals - now estimated to number no more than 50 - have been restricted to the westernmost parts of the island.

Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, chairman of the IUCN's Asian Rhino Specialist Group, said the demise of the Javan rhino in Vietnam was "definitely a blow".

"We all must learn from this and need to ensure that the fate of the Javan rhino in [Indonesia] won't be like that of Cat Tien in near future," he told BBC News.

"Threats to rhinos for their horn is definitely a major problem. But in Indonesia, due to active work done by rhino protection units and national park authorities, no Javan rhino poaching has been recorded in Indonesia for past decade."

Dr Talukdar observed: "What is key to the success of the species is appropriate habitat management as the Javan rhinos are browser and it needs secondary growing forests."

He warned that the habitat within the national park on Java serving as the final refuge for the species was being degraded by an invasive species of palm.

"As such, control of arenga palm and habitat management for Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park is now become important for future of the species."

In detail: Javan rhinoceros
Scientific name: Rhinoceros sondaicus
The species is listed as Critically Endangered because fewer than 50 individuals remain
Weight: 900kg - 2,300kg
Height: 1.5m - 1.7m
Length: 2.0m - 4.0m
Male Javan rhinos possess a single horn about 25cm long
It is estimated that they can live for 30-40 years
Females reach sexual maturity between 5-7 years, and then give birth to a calf about once every three years
(Source: IUCN/IRF)

Rhino facts, stories and videos

source (and photos): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15430787

The 609 Pig-nosed Turtles confiscated in Hong Kong in January this year have finally been returned to Maro River in Papua. All the turtles survived the long journey from Hongkong through Jakarta, then on to Merauke and eventually Bupul village in Papua.

The local people in Bupul were delighted to meet the team from International Animal Rescue Indonesia (IAR Indonesia) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) who accompanied the turtles on their long journey. They held a special ceremony dedicated to the future wellbeing and survival of the turtles. Over-exploitation had driven the Pig-nosed Turtle to extinction in the river.

Mr Arnold, Head of Bupul village, said: "It's a real privilege to be able to see and touch these turtles again. They have been extinct in this area for more than 30 years. We really hope that future generations will enjoy seeing them inhabiting the river and will continue to cherish and protect them."

All the pupils from the local school in Bupul participated in the release. They were thrilled to be able to set the turtles free and swim with them in the river.

Karmele Llano Sanchez, Executive Director of IAR Indonesia, said: "The repatriation of the turtles has been a complete success. We send our thanks to the Hong Kong and Indonesian governments for their eagerness to cooperate which made it possible for us to save them. Our grateful thanks also go to Kadoori Farm and Botanical Gardens (KFBG) who have taken care of the turtles since January and paid the entire cost of their repatriation and release.

"People in developed countries who like to buy exotic pets such as turtles should think hard about the effect this trade has on wild populations that are in danger of becoming extinct. Millions of turtles are captured and transported to supply the growing exotic pet industry and vast numbers of them die before they even reach the pet shops. It is a tragic waste of wildlife."

source (and photos): http://www.internationalanimalrescue.or ... years.html

There are only somewhere between 2,000 and 2,500 black rhinos alive today, and 16 have been killed by poachers this year alone.

But there's some good news for the 400 odd black rhinos in Zimbabwe. Canadian group Bundu Designs has teamed up with Save the Rhino International and Zimbabwean wire artists in order to make and sell unique beaded rhino sculptures. The money raised will go towards saving this endangered animal.

Black rhinos are listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and poaching is on the rise. Money raised by the sale of the sculptures will provide anti-poaching efforts with equipment and training.

Appropriately, Bundu Designs and Support the Rhino launched the sale of the sculptures on World Rhino Day, September 8. Their goal is to sell 431 -- one for every black rhino still alive in Zimbabwe. The rhinos run for $75, $10 of which will fight poaching and help the species thrive.

For more stories like this, follow Alex on Twitter.

source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10 ... rhinos.php
photos: Bundu Designs

Two weeks ago, a golden bellied capuchin was born at Gaia park.

Because the young mother is sitting still close to its newborn, the sex of it is not yet known.

source (and photos): http://www.gaiazoo.nl/dieren/laatste-dierennieuws/0

During the period since 14 September a few births took place at Emmen Zoo.

1 giraffe

1 colobus monkey

1 Hamadryas baboon

1 Red Kangaroo


Almost all young animals can be discovered at the zoo. Some of them you will need to look thoroughly to discover them.

source (and photos): http://www.dierenparkemmen.nl/nl-nl/nie ... -bewoners/

As it is every 4 October, today is World Animal Day.

"Get involved and do something special for the animals"

A list of events taking place in Europe can be seen on the Worldanimalday website or click here.

Giraffebaby Kimberley, who was born on 6 september, has spent a lot of time outside during the recent sunny days. She is the 67th giraffe that was born in Blijdorp and the second this year (Jani was already born 16 May). The two giraffebabies get along well with each other. Both mothers were also born in Blijdorp. Mother Marian in 2002 and Anne in 2003. Kimberley is the fourth born by Marian.

She drinks well but is still being treated for an inflammation on her navel. The Blijdorp herd consists now of eleven giraffes that live together with Koedoes and Thompson gazelles on the African Savanne. The giraffes in Blijdorp belong to the Somali giraffes which exist in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Blijdorp has Somali giraffes since the 1950s so in 52 years, 67 giraffes were born in Blijdorp Zoo and Blijdorp has a special link to giraffes. Already since it's opening in 1940 giraffes are in the logo of zoo.

source (and photos): http://www.blijdorp.nl/nl/blijdorp%20ac ... boren.html

Scientists have found hawksbill turtles "hiding" in mangrove forests of the eastern Pacific.

The team, that has been tracking the turtles for three years, also found that the critically endangered animals nested in these estuaries.

The discovery of this previously unknown sea turtle habitat was published recently in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters.

It could explain why the species went undetected in the region for so long.

Mangrove forests, which are unique coastal tree and shrub habitats, are also under threat. They could represent an important breeding and nesting site for the species, which was thought to depend on coral reefs.

Alexander Gaos, a conservation scientist with San Diego State University and the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative, led the research.

He and his colleagues tracked hawksbills in four countries - El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Ecuador - using satellite tracking tags glued to the turtles' backs.

These trackers revealed that adult hawksbill turtles in the eastern Pacific inhabited in-shore mangrove estuaries.

"For upwards of five decades sea turtle scientists thought hawksbills had [disappeared from] the eastern Pacific Ocean", Dr Gaos told BBC Nature.

"Despite hundreds of sea turtle projects and scientists focusing efforts in the region, no one had located hawksbills.

Our findings help explain this… it's hard to spot hawksbills in mangrove estuaries."

Dr Gaos said that the turtles might be spending their entire lives in these "cryptic habitats".

"Couple that with the fact that there are very few individuals left - hawksbills in the eastern Pacific are one of the world's most endangered sea turtle populations - and it's no wonder researchers didn't know about them!"

The scientists worked with local fishermen and even illegal egg collectors, in order to find hawksbill turtles to fit their tags to.

They hope their revelations about the species' habitat will inform conservation efforts.

Why the turtles were "seeking shelter" in mangroves was not clear.

The scientists think it might be a recent adaptation brought on by a lack of their more typical habitat of coral reefs in the region.

Dr Gaos said: " We now have a better idea of where to look for them, which may help us direct research and conservation of the species, upon which their survival may ultimately depend."

source (and photos): http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14735144