The Iberian lynx is the most endangered wild cat species in the world. At one point, there were less than 100 known to exist and only 25 fertile females. Thankfully, the dedication of highly specialized teams of wild cat experts has brought their numbers up to 364 in the wild.
It has taken over two decades to increase the numbat population from 500 to almost 1000 remaining in the wild today. And Western Australia's endangered numbat isn't out of the woods yet. Since 1993, the Perth Zoo and Department of Parks and Wildlife has helped breed, hand-raise, and reintroduce more than 160 numbats back into the wild.
It's tragic that all five species of rhinos are threatened because of poaching. In 2010, Vietnam lost the last Javan rhino known alive. Poachers shot him in the leg and then viciously hacked off his horn, leaving him to die in pain. Rhino horn has become the most expensive placebo in the world.
If you were told that fish have no feelings or that sheep are stupid, you might be surprised to learn what scientists are proving over and over again. Animals have emotions and feelings just like we do. I might go as far to say that some species can interpret more non-verbal cues than we can.
One of our planet's greatest animal activists has been working tirelessly, risking her own life, to save Asian elephants since 1993. Her name is Soraida Salwala. With the help of Dr. Preecha Phuangkum, DVM, Soraida opened the world's first elephant hospital known as FAE (Friends of the Asian Elephant).
You may be surprised to learn that the pangolin is the most trafficked animal in the world. It's a problem that is growing out of control as the populations of larger species (such as rhinos and elephants) continue to decline.
At one time, Canada was home to roughly 1,000 northern spotted owls. Today, there are only about 16 of them left in the wild. Ecologist Mark Boyce explained that 85 per cent of bird species that go extinct do so because of habitat loss.
By 2 Since I was a year old, I've always had a cat or two in my life. I love dogs and other pets too (so please don't peg me as a crazy cat lady). In a big city, cats are just easier to keep and provide for (especially without a yard).
I've been fortunate to see snowy owls up close at Mountsberg, a conservation area in Halton, but I was surprised to find one atop a utility pole along the outskirts of Toronto. Incredibly, this gorgeous owl has been able to survive the harshest arctic conditions and now appears to be travelling further and further south.
Besides man, beavers impact our planet more than any other creature. They are important to the life cycles of many animals, plants, and ecosystems. For hundreds of years, the beaver has been a national symbol of Canada. Find out how Canadians feel about our aptly named "busy beavers" and see how they build their magnificent dams and channels.