Along the Laotian and Vietnamese border lives a small forest ox. This creature was only discovered in 1992 and has since only been seen a small number of times. Despite being a new-to-us species, it’s already under threat. This Odd Animal Profile is about the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), which is already listed as critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. What can we learn about this fascinating animal before it’s too late?
Category Archives: O.A.P.
OAP: Ringtail
The ringtail, sometimes called the ring-tailed cat, is an interesting and unique part of the landscape in the western United States. I know that many of the Odd Animal Profile’s you’ll find here on Endangered Living tend to be animals from far off places, but it’s good to remember we have incredible wildlife here in our own backyard.
The Bali Tiger
Bali is a decievingly lush and tropical island. While tourists may flock here and marvel at the green rice paddies, tall trees and mischievious monkeys, they probably wouldn’t expect Bali to be so barren and biodiversity-challenge. Continue reading The Bali Tiger
Malayan Sun Bear
Exciting news! I have heard that (if all continues going well visa-wise) I will be including the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in my study of the effects of volunteer tourism on conservation. These are really interesting little bears, so I thought I would tell you a bit more about them. Continue reading Malayan Sun Bear
The European Stork: From Marrakech to Urban Legend
These magnificent 3 foot tall birds may not be a species you have heard of, but then again, you may be wrong. If you have ever heard the panicked parent’s reply to the question “Where do babies come from?” you’ve probably at least heard reference to this iconic bird. When someone says “Storks bring babies” they are referring to the European stork. Continue reading The European Stork: From Marrakech to Urban Legend
Key Deer
So this is my first attempt at anything like this, but I am pretty proud of my first try. Not to mention I edited it on free software on my mother’s laptop while I was home for Christmas, so it could be a bit smoother. I also wish I had left out the bit about the dolphins. I was just so excited to have found them, but unfortunately they were a bit too far away. I wish you could have seen them!
I am probably going to re-edit this footage for something a bit smoother, but I am so excited to share the awesome footage I got of the endangered key deer! So here is a rough cut, I hope you hang on until the end (I know it’s long, I’ll shorten it, I promise) to meet a very special little lady.
Pitheciidae
It is high time we moved on to New World Monkeys. All of the primates discussed from now on are going to be found in South America, starting with the family pitheciidae. Pitheciids include titi monkeys, saki monkeys, and uakaris. They are a pretty strange looking bunch, with the red-headed uakari being a personal favorite of mine. Continue reading Pitheciidae
Galagidae
I had an interesting encounter with a member of the galagidae family during my time in Sierra Leone, although at the time I didn’t know that’s what I was hearing. I woke up in the middle of the night in my tent in an absolute panic as I was fairly certain I was hearing a woman being murdered. I didn’t know what to do, so I told myself it was a very upset goat and went back to sleep. In the morning I learned that I was listening to the majestic call of the bush baby, or galago, or the only member of the galagidae family. Continue reading Galagidae
Daubentoniidae
Well, I personally think daubentoniidae this is the most difficult family to memorize, and I don’t quite know why. This family is really unique and contains only one species: the Aye-Aye. These weird little lemurs are the only species left of the daubentoniids after the other went extinct about 1,000 years ago. Continue reading Daubentoniidae
Megaladapidae
Megaladapidae is one of the families of primates that is often argued over by taxonomists. Everyone has an opinion in taxonomy. I have decided to put it as a separate family because honestly, sportive lemurs are pretty cool. Megaladapids were said to be extinct because the taxonomic group originally covered all of the giant lemurs the size of gorillas that use to roam Madagascar. But like most megafauna, it was killed off by humans.
