Category Plants & Animals

            The Galapagos sea lion is a coastal animal that breeds in the Galapagos Islands, as the name suggests. But some of them are also spotted on the Isla de la Plata, close to mainland Ecuador. These animals are most noted for their playful and social nature. They are seen in waters, sandy beaches and rocky areas that connect to waters.

            Typically, sea lions have smooth and streamlined bodies. It makes them smart hunters, especially of sardines. The animals are as well brilliant divers that can dive up to depths of 200 metres.

            However, in spite of their smartness, Galapagos sea lions face serious challenges for survival. The natural predators of these animals are sharks and killer whales. But their main threat is the El Nino event which disturbs the marine life on which they depend.

            Many of the animals migrated, while several others died of starvation. Other than El Nino, sea lions are also vulnerable to threats caused by humans.

            Currently, there are just less than 50,000 Galapagos sea lions alive.

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            The ring-tailed lemur is a larger primate found in the dry forests of Southern Madagascar. It is distinguished by its brownish-grey fur, and tail with black and white rings.

            Typically, these are highly social creatures that live in groups of around 20 individuals. Unlike others in their family, ring-tailed lemurs can tolerate extreme environments – like the hottest, driest and the coldest climates in Madagascar.

            But what is not-so-interesting about ring-tailed lemurs is their population. With the number falling to less than 2000 in the wild, they have been categorized as endangered by the IUCN Red List.

            The main threat facing them is habitat destruction. Reports suggest that much of their habitat is converted to agricultural farmlands, or harvested for charcoal production. Then there are as well dangers of hunting for food and pet trade.

            However, lemurs are very well bred in captivity. It is said that over a 1000 can be found across 140 zoos in the world.

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               The Mediterranean monk seal is the rarest pinniped species in the world. It is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, and the East Atlantic Ocean, along the coast of North-west Africa.

               Monk seals are known to have been first described by Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle in the 3rd century BC. For the ancient Greeks, they were sacred animals. However, modern man has torn apart the tradition, leaving the species with very little chances of survival. According to the IUCN Red List, Mediterranean monk seals are endangered animals, with less than 700 individuals.

               The main reasons for the dropping population of the monk seals are intentional killings for their fat, oil and skin and accidental killings during fishing activities. Like all other coastal species, seals too are threatened by the destruction of coastal ecosystems, particularly because they rest and nurse their young ones on the shores.

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           Nilgiri tahrs are stocky goats found on the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portion of the Western Ghats across the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu. The other name of this wild goat is Nilgiri ibex.

            Generally, the goats are either dark brown or grey in colour. A fully grown male is about a metre tall, and weighs around 100 kg. But females are smaller in size. Both have short and coarse coats, as well as horns that curve backwards. As for their habitats – tahrs prefer cliffs and grass-covered plateaus high up in the mountains.

            Due to the decreasing number in their population, Nilgiri tahrs are listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List. There are just between 2000 and 2500 individuals alive today, with the biggest population spotted within the Eravikulam National Park, Munnar.

            Efforts for conserving the species have been taking place for the past few decades.

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            Mountain gorillas are large apes that live mainly in the national parks across the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With a population of around 800, they are a critically endangered species.

            By nature, mountain gorillas are shy, but strong. They can be very aggressive if provoked. Beating their chests, they let out angry roars, and attack their opponents. Mother gorillas may even fight till death to protect their young ones.

            Mountain gorillas are under the threat of extinction. Their main enemies are humans, who hunt them, and destroy their habitats. What worsens the situation is the civil unrest in their native countries. This results in a flow of rebels into forests, who often disturb the lives of animals.

            Another reason for the population decline of mountain gorillas is diseases. They are very vulnerable to diseases transmitted from humans, including common cold.

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            The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered whales in the world. It is a huge marine animal that grows up to 16 metres in length and 70 tonnes in weight. It is known to be an easy target for fishermen and hunters, as it swims close to shores, and floats when dead. Hence, its name right whale.

            Generally, these mammals are spotted along the Atlantic coast of North America. Compared to others in the whale family, right whales are slow swimmers. They are also known to be very playful and curious animals, often poking and bumping objects they find in water.

            However, the population of this species today, is just around 450! The biggest challenges for their survival are ship collisions, and entanglement in fishing nets. Besides, they have a history of being over-exploited by whalers for fat and bones. Another important factor contributing to their decline is climatic change.

            A study conducted in 2012 suggests that underwater noise created by ships could obstruct the ability of whales to communicate. This in turn, affects them while hunting food, and escaping predators.

            The International Whaling Commission is an important body that regulates whaling and addresses other issues faced by this species.

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