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Several Asian vultures will be extinct within a span of a decade. These carrion-eating birds have been decreasing in number on account of being exposed to common livestock drug. This fact has been highlighted by a research conducted by Todd Katzner, Director of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The study has appeared in the Journal of Bombay Natural History Society.

Asian vultures, initially, began to die mysteriously during 1990s. Expert felt that veterinary diclofenac, which is an inexpensive and popular anti-inflammatory drug was given to the livestock.

In 2004, a study indicated that vultures feeding on the carcasses of diclofenac-treated cows were dying of kidney failure. The drug was, of course, banned in 2006, but yet left- over stocks of the drug could be found in the bodies of the cattle. A single exposure could prove to be lethal.

Researchers counted live vultures along roadways in central and northern India between March 2007 and June 2007 covering 11,700 miles. Based on this study it was observed that oriental white backed vultures have reduced in number quite drastically. Now, there are only 11,000 as compared to tens and millions earlier two decades ago. Slender-billed and long billed have each reduced in number by 97%- 1,000 and 45,000 respectively remain in India. The disappearance of these vultures will directly affect social customs and public health.

In 2001, in an article that appeared in the British Medical Journal, a link was established between the two outbreaks of anthrax in humans to the absence of vultures, which scavenge on anthrax infected cattle. Also the absence of vultures has proved to be a setback to the Parsi tradition of leaving the dead in “Silence of Towers’ to be eaten by vultures. Now, they have to resort to giant solar reflectors to quicken the decomposition process. They do not bury or burn their bodies by tradition.

The main challenge faced is that huge stocks of the diclofenac drug are lying with the distributors. Conservationists feel that vultures should be forced into captive breeding programs for a decade or more. Other factors responsible for vulture extinction are nesting grounds being lost to urbanization and the loss off habitat.

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The Saltwater Crocodile is the world’s largest reptile and crocodilian. These amazing creatures are found on the northern coast of Australia, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Brunei and some other countries. They are excellent swimmers and their sea faring ability shows their wide distribution. Australians affectionately call them as "salties" or “saltwater crocs.” It has been reported that these creatures can grow upto 7 meters! But the average size of a salt water crocodile is 4 meters.

Now they have an estimated population range from 200,000 to 300,000 worldwide and it is considered that they are at low risk of extinction. Illegal killing and an aversion towards the animals because of their reputation as a man eaters are the two main reasons for their slow extinction.

The largest saltwater crocodile ever recorded was more than 28 feet i.e. 8.5 meters long. It was killed by a schoolteacher in Australia in 1958 who later became a conservationist.

Here are some brief facts about Saltwater Crocodiles

Type: Reptile

Average lifespan in the wild: 70 years

Average size: 17 ft (5 m)

Diet: Carnivore

Weight: 1,000 lbs (450 kg)

Food Source: They feed on whatever comes under their jaws including water buffalo, wild boar, monkeys and even sharks.

The most amazing fact about Saltwater Crocodiles: The temperature of their eggs determines the sex of their new born crocodiles.

Here is great news for every bird lover especially Americans. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) or American national bird is no more listed in endangered species. Bald Eagle was declared to be among endangered species in 1940’s. In the same year the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was passed to protect Bald Eagles from the eyes of hunters.

The synthetic pesticide DDT continued to decline the number of Bald Eagle even when the birds were not hunted. In the year 1963 there were only 417 breeding pairs of Bald Eagle. With such numbers extinction of the American national bird was expected but this powerful flier showed a dramatic recovery. It is reported that presently there are around 10,000 breeding pairs of bald eagle and it not an endangered species anymore.

Even after the drastic recovery wildlife experts will not abandon the Bald Eagle. At least for another 5 years experts will monitor and look for any further decline in the number. In case of any decline in breeding pairs then experts will revert back Bald Eagle in endangered species list.

To avoid fall in the number there are various protection plans in place like the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act which was passed in the year 1918 still provides protection to the Bald Eagles. According to this Act migratory birds cannot be hunted or traded in US. This Act also provides protection to migratory birds in other countries. This Act is effective in Mexico and Canada providing protection to the eagles that migrate across the border. It is illegal to trade their nest, eggs and even their feathers.

With the ban of DDT in the year 1972 the population of Bald Eagle is further benefited. Through food chain DDT reached Bald Eagle resulting in a reduction in the number of breeding pairs. DDT had a devastating effect on the population of Bald Eagles. DDT obstructed in the formation of strong eggshell, hence making it difficult for mother eagle to incubate the egg. But now the threat of DDT is almost over, this also contributed in Bald Eagle recovery.

After reading all the interesting facts in the previous article: The Endangered Red Wolf , there are many question still unanswered. One of the most prominent questions is: What are the possible reasons or factors responsible for endangering red wolf? Some of the factors have lead to endangering red wolf are listed below:

• First and the major factor is the loss of their natural habitat. With the extension of human invasion and growing population forests which are the natural habitat are destroyed.
• Extensive hunting of red wolf by humans especially as a part of predator control program.
• Increased disease susceptibility also decreased their number and made them endangered.
• Hybridizing red wolf with coyotes also decreased the number of red wolf.

All the listed factors in combination made red wolf one of the endangered species.

Second question arises is: How many wolf species are living at present? Presently there are only 2 species living: Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) and Red Wolf (Canis rufus). Scientists have discovered 3 subspecies of red wolf and 15 subspecies of gray wolf. Scientists believe that there were at least 24 subspecies of gray wolf earlier. The wolf species are spread all over the world: South America, Canada, Italy, Iran and other countries.

Third question: What are the conservation programs for the recovery of red wolves? It is believed that the original distribution of red wolves spreads around eastern North America. According to the reports approximately 300 red wolves are surviving around the world and out of 300, 220 are in captivity.

• In 1987, in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina, 100 red wolves were introduced under 1st island propagation project.
• The 2nd island propagation project was held in Horn Island, Mississippi Coast in the year 1989.
• In the year 1990, 3rd island propagation project was introduced in St. Vincent Island, Florida.
• In the year 1997, 4th project was introduced in Cape St. George Island, Florida.

Initially these conservation programs were successful but with the relocation of wolves in 1998 to North Carolina ended the efforts of re-introduction of wolf species to parks.

“First Lungless Frog Discovered”- you may not believe this news, but believe it or not, it’s true. Biologists have reported first case of complete lunglessness in a frog.

The strange amphibian named as “Barbourula kalimantanensis,” gets all the oxygen it needs through its skin. It is first ever recorded frog species that breathes without lungs in a clear cold water stream on the island of Borneo, Indonesia.

Lead author of the study, David Bickford, a biologist at the National University of Singapore reported that no one knew about this strange fact before they accidentally did a routine dissection.

Actually the species was long been discovered by researchers but scientists did not want to sacrifice the animals for dissection. But this time biologists dissected many frogs and found the mysterious frog.

Brazilian paleontologists have found fossil of new marine crocodile species in Brazil. Paleontologists consider it to be “missing link” between present day and prehistoric crocodiles. The fossil so found belongs to late Cretaceous period approximately 80-85 million years ago. The fossil was found in Palo Alto region of Sao Paulo state, Brazil.

The prehistoric sea predator is called as Montealtosuchus arrudacamposi. It measured around 56-64 inches and weighed approximately 88 pounds. Paleontologist Felipe de Vasconcellos, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro said:”the physical characteristics placed it between the prehistoric crocodiles and their current descendants.”

According to the paleontologist this giant prehistoric crocodile lived on dry land instead of spending most of its time under water. Moreover the prehistoric crocodile was quick on its feet. Vasconcellos said: “Its nostrils were at the front (of its snout). If it went in the water it had to keep its head erect making it an easy target for other predators. Its eyes were placed laterally, like other land-walking animals.”

Hence the above mentioned characteristics of Montealtosuchus arrudacamposi made it the “missing link” of crocodiles. Earlier it was considered that the originating place of crocodiles was northern hemisphere where there were no fossils record of intermediate species was found. Hence with this discovery paleontologist have to revise the originating place of crocodiles.

Vasconcellos told reporters: “Perhaps the origin of crocodiles around the entire world was in the south and not in North America or Europe as it was always believed.” He also added: “They may have first appeared in South America or Africa, when they were fused together in a single continent. That would change the way an entire species has propagated.”