Today is Endangered Species Day

Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions they can take to help protect them.

Above is an image of a South American vicuna.  The vicuna was listed as endangered, but has recently been reduced to the status of threatened. They were hunted almost to extinction mainly for their beautiful wool and meat.  We have the power to save species from extinction.

Butternut trees in Eastern Canada and across their entire natural range in North America are under attack by the Butternut Canker Disease.This is a deadly fungal disease that has attacked almost all Butternut trees regardless of their age or size.  There is no known cure for the disease but some trees appear to be more tolerant than others.  Butternut is classified as an endangered species under the Ontario Endangered Species Act (ESA 2007).  

 

Lonesome George, born before 1912, died June 24, 2012, was a male Pinta Island tortoise and the last known individual of the subspecies. In his last years, he was known as the rarest creature in the world.  We must halt the extinction rate of all species.  Images by Mike Leveille