Animals on the EdgeAnimals on the Edge

Global warmingGlobal warming

and its and its Impact on AnimalsImpact on Animals

With particular attention to the plight With particular attention to the plight of the:of the:

Andean Mountain Cat of PeruAndean Mountain Cat of Peru

European Squirrel of the UkraineEuropean Squirrel of the Ukraine

Ganges River Dolphin of IndiaGanges River Dolphin of India

Fennec Desert Fox of TunisiaFennec Desert Fox of Tunisia

What is Global Warming?What is Global Warming?

• Our planet is getting warmerOur planet is getting warmer

• It has warmed by .7 degrees C in the last It has warmed by .7 degrees C in the last centurycentury

• We see evidence of this around us:We see evidence of this around us:

- bird eggs are hatching earlier- bird eggs are hatching earlier

- flowers are blossoming earlier- flowers are blossoming earlier

- the weather is wilder- the weather is wilder

- the glaciers are melting- the glaciers are melting

So, what does that mean for So, what does that mean for the earth’s animals?the earth’s animals?

• The earth is home to incredibly complex The earth is home to incredibly complex ecosystems that are easily upsetecosystems that are easily upset

• The pollution and use of fuels for running cars The pollution and use of fuels for running cars and heating houses is increasing the amount of and heating houses is increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmospheregreenhouse gases in the atmosphere

• The worst greenhouse gas is carbon The worst greenhouse gas is carbon dioxidedioxide

• Cutting down trees also causes more Cutting down trees also causes more carbon dioxide as the trees absorb a carbon dioxide as the trees absorb a lot of itlot of it

• Greenhouse gases change patterns Greenhouse gases change patterns of rainfall and worsen droughts of rainfall and worsen droughts making it more difficult for plants to making it more difficult for plants to grow that animals eat to livegrow that animals eat to live

• The number of species and the The number of species and the number of animals is dropping number of animals is dropping because of changes to their habitat because of changes to their habitat caused by global warming, caused by global warming, deforestation and the spread of deforestation and the spread of urban areasurban areas

Major environmental issues in Major environmental issues in PeruPeru

• Farming; grazing, mining, drilling and Farming; grazing, mining, drilling and logging cause serious environmental logging cause serious environmental problemsproblems

• Deforestation of the highlands and Deforestation of the highlands and rainforest for valuable hardwoods and rainforest for valuable hardwoods and for agricultural use has led to severe for agricultural use has led to severe erosions erosions

• The erosion has led to decreased water The erosion has led to decreased water quality particularly in the Amazon basin quality particularly in the Amazon basin which impacts all wildlife in the regionwhich impacts all wildlife in the region

• Coastal pollution, combined with over Coastal pollution, combined with over fishing is a serious threat to marine fishing is a serious threat to marine wildlife as is the El Nino effectwildlife as is the El Nino effect

• The El Nino effect happens about The El Nino effect happens about every 7 years. It is when large scale every 7 years. It is when large scale changes in ocean currents and rising changes in ocean currents and rising surface water temperatures bring surface water temperatures bring heavy rains and floods to coastal heavy rains and floods to coastal areasareas

What is the Andean Cat?What is the Andean Cat?

• The Andean Cat is about twice the size of The Andean Cat is about twice the size of a domestic cat and is one of the most a domestic cat and is one of the most beautiful of all wild cats. It is the only beautiful of all wild cats. It is the only small wild cat with stripes.small wild cat with stripes.

• They prefer the rocky,They prefer the rocky, treeless terrain, whichtreeless terrain, which is very dry, is very dry, windy and coldwindy and cold

• The Andes Mountain cat lives in the The Andes Mountain cat lives in the high Andes mountain range in Peru. high Andes mountain range in Peru.

Impact on Andean CatsImpact on Andean Cats

• The Andean Mountain Cat has been upgraded from The Andean Mountain Cat has been upgraded from vulnerable to endangeredvulnerable to endangered

• The Aymara people of the high Andes worship small The Aymara people of the high Andes worship small wild cats, which are killed, stuffed and decorated. wild cats, which are killed, stuffed and decorated. During festivals people dance with them around their During festivals people dance with them around their shoulders.shoulders.

• As well as being impacted by people, global warming As well as being impacted by people, global warming is impacting these cats because they have specific is impacting these cats because they have specific habitat requirements and their environment is habitat requirements and their environment is changingchanging

Impact on Andean CatsImpact on Andean Cats

• As the earth warms, the trees are As the earth warms, the trees are spreading and new animals are spreading and new animals are coming into the Andean Cat’s coming into the Andean Cat’s habitat. This is creating a shortage of habitat. This is creating a shortage of food.food.

Andean Cat Conservation Andean Cat Conservation PlanPlan• The Andean Cat Alliance has put The Andean Cat Alliance has put

together the Andean Cat Conservation together the Andean Cat Conservation Action Plan to protect areas where the Action Plan to protect areas where the Andean Cat are foundAndean Cat are found

• The objectives of the Plan are meant to The objectives of the Plan are meant to deal with specific threats to the animalsdeal with specific threats to the animals

Major environmental issues Major environmental issues in the Ukrainein the Ukraine

• Amount of cultivated land is higher than in Amount of cultivated land is higher than in any other country in Europe and only 4% of any other country in Europe and only 4% of the country is preserved in national parks.the country is preserved in national parks.

• A national park in the Ukraine is not like a A national park in the Ukraine is not like a national park here – some parks are filled national park here – some parks are filled with villages, roads and even factorieswith villages, roads and even factories

• Serious water pollution and deforestation Serious water pollution and deforestation are threatsare threats

• Rivers, wetlands and the coastline are still Rivers, wetlands and the coastline are still recovering from decades of industrial wasterecovering from decades of industrial waste

What is the European What is the European Squirrel?Squirrel?

• The European Ground Squirrel is a The European Ground Squirrel is a small member of the rodent familysmall member of the rodent family

• It lives in colonies of individual It lives in colonies of individual burrows in pastures or grassy slopesburrows in pastures or grassy slopes

• The colony has a look out who The colony has a look out who whistles at the site of a predator so whistles at the site of a predator so the pack can scurry back to safetythe pack can scurry back to safety

• The squirrels eat seeds, plant shoots The squirrels eat seeds, plant shoots and roots or flightless invertebratesand roots or flightless invertebrates

Impact on European Impact on European SquirrelsSquirrels• The spread of agricultural land so the The spread of agricultural land so the

people can grow wheat for export to other people can grow wheat for export to other countries has meant there is less grassland countries has meant there is less grassland

• Without as much grassland, Without as much grassland,

fewer European Ground fewer European Ground

Squirrels can find food and Squirrels can find food and

live live

Bern ConventionBern Convention

• The government of the Ukraine has The government of the Ukraine has signed the Convention of the signed the Convention of the Conservation of Wildlife and Natural Conservation of Wildlife and Natural HabitatsHabitats

• The Ukraine has promised in the The Ukraine has promised in the Convention to take steps to conserve Convention to take steps to conserve wild fauna and flora and natural wild fauna and flora and natural habitats, with particular attention to habitats, with particular attention to endangered and vulnerable species endangered and vulnerable species and endangered habitatsand endangered habitats

• The Ukraine also promises to have The Ukraine also promises to have legislation against pollution and to legislation against pollution and to promote education and information of promote education and information of the need to conserve flora and faunathe need to conserve flora and fauna

• If the Ukraine does what it says it is If the Ukraine does what it says it is going to do in the Convention, the going to do in the Convention, the grassland plants and animals will be grassland plants and animals will be conserved and the number of conserved and the number of European Ground Squirrels should European Ground Squirrels should increaseincrease

Major environmental issues in Major environmental issues in IndiaIndia

• With over one billion people, With over one billion people, expanding industrialization, expanding industrialization, deforestation from logging and urban deforestation from logging and urban sprawl and heavy use of chemicals, sprawl and heavy use of chemicals, India’s environment is threatenedIndia’s environment is threatened

• Many of the chemicals end up in the Many of the chemicals end up in the riverriver

What is the Ganges River What is the Ganges River Dolphin?Dolphin?

• The Ganges River Dolphin is a rare The Ganges River Dolphin is a rare freshwater species found in a few freshwater species found in a few rivers in India and other neighboring rivers in India and other neighboring countriescountries

• It has never been fully studied in the It has never been fully studied in the wild and its behavior is largely wild and its behavior is largely unknownunknown

• What is known is that it has one of What is known is that it has one of the most highly developed sonar the most highly developed sonar senses. It is the only aquatic animal senses. It is the only aquatic animal which has developed its sonar sense which has developed its sonar sense so that it can capture its food and so that it can capture its food and navigates with the help of navigates with the help of ecolocationecolocation

• There are approximately 4,000 - There are approximately 4,000 - 6,000 individuals. 6,000 individuals.

• Besides natural predators, this Besides natural predators, this dolphin is also threatened by human dolphin is also threatened by human activity in the form of increased river activity in the form of increased river traffic, water pollution and fishing traffic, water pollution and fishing netsnets

Impact on Ganges River Impact on Ganges River DolphinDolphin

• The Ganges River is among the most The Ganges River is among the most polluted rivers in Indiapolluted rivers in India

• Polluted waters flowing into the Ganges River from a Polluted waters flowing into the Ganges River from a number of smaller rivers are effecting the habitat of number of smaller rivers are effecting the habitat of these shy animals. Adding more to their miseries, these shy animals. Adding more to their miseries, huge quantities of water taken out of the Ganges huge quantities of water taken out of the Ganges River through numerous irrigation projects are River through numerous irrigation projects are making the river shallower day by day.making the river shallower day by day.

• Dolphin poaching is also common. Dolphin poaching is also common.

• Did you know the Ganges River Dolphin is blind and Did you know the Ganges River Dolphin is blind and it may have become that way because of the dirty it may have become that way because of the dirty water?water?

• The polluted waters are harming The polluted waters are harming people as wellpeople as well

• The biggest threat to public health in The biggest threat to public health in India is inadequate access to clean India is inadequate access to clean drinking water and proper sanitationdrinking water and proper sanitation

Conservation PlanningConservation Planning

• India has three pieces of rules passed India has three pieces of rules passed by the government which help protect by the government which help protect endangered animals:endangered animals:

Wildlife Protection Act (1972)Wildlife Protection Act (1972)

Forest Conservation ActForest Conservation Act

Environmental Protection ActEnvironmental Protection Act

• The Act which is the most significant for The Act which is the most significant for the Ganges River Dolphin is the Wildlife the Ganges River Dolphin is the Wildlife Protection Act, but in reality it has not Protection Act, but in reality it has not done a lot to protect the dolphinsdone a lot to protect the dolphins

• There is also a dolphin sanctuaryThere is also a dolphin sanctuary

• Some wildlife activists say that the Some wildlife activists say that the fishermen still fish in the protected areafishermen still fish in the protected area

Major environmental issuesMajor environmental issues in Tunisia in Tunisia

What is the desert fennec?What is the desert fennec?

• The fennec is the smallest fox with The fennec is the smallest fox with distinctly large ears, a cream-colored distinctly large ears, a cream-colored coat and a black-tipped tail. coat and a black-tipped tail.

• They are mainly nocturnal and They are mainly nocturnal and

have a shy nature.have a shy nature.

• They are omnivores, eating plants, They are omnivores, eating plants, small rodents, bird eggs, reptiles and small rodents, bird eggs, reptiles and insects. insects.

• They like to live in burrows in the They like to live in burrows in the sandy deserts of North Africa. sandy deserts of North Africa.

• Its feet have thick fur to Its feet have thick fur to insulate its pads from the insulate its pads from the hot desert sand and to cushion its hot desert sand and to cushion its

step which makes its movements step which makes its movements quiet for hunting. They can jump two quiet for hunting. They can jump two feet straight up from a standing feet straight up from a standing position and make horizontal leaps of position and make horizontal leaps of up to four feet.up to four feet.

Impact on Desert FennecImpact on Desert Fennec

• The fennec disappeared from four small sandy The fennec disappeared from four small sandy places close to human homesplaces close to human homes

• Lower water levels and driedLower water levels and dried up natural springs are makingup natural springs are making it more difficult it more difficult for the fennec to survivefor the fennec to survive

• Deserts claim more and moreDeserts claim more and more land each year due to global warmingland each year due to global warming

Sidi Toui SaharanSidi Toui Saharan• 6300 hectares of arid plains and 6300 hectares of arid plains and

dunes have been protected in the dunes have been protected in the Sidi Toui Saharan National ParkSidi Toui Saharan National Park

• Fennec foxes have been successfully Fennec foxes have been successfully reintroduced in this Parkreintroduced in this Park

What can we do?What can we do?

• Turn off the lights when you leave a roomTurn off the lights when you leave a room

• Unplug the charger for your MP3 player Unplug the charger for your MP3 player when its done chargingwhen its done charging

• Walk or ride your bike to schoolWalk or ride your bike to school

• Take the bus or car pool with your friendsTake the bus or car pool with your friends

• Grow a vegetable gardenGrow a vegetable garden

• Carry your lunch in a reusable lunch boxCarry your lunch in a reusable lunch box

• Participate daily in the three Rs: Participate daily in the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recyclereduce, reuse and recycle

• Use cold water to wash your clothesUse cold water to wash your clothes

• Know where your water comes from Know where your water comes from and where your waste goesand where your waste goes

• Plant trees – they take carbon Plant trees – they take carbon dioxide from the airdioxide from the air

Hope for a better futureHope for a better future

• Scientists are trying to make cars Scientists are trying to make cars that run on:that run on:

- hydrogen- hydrogen

- vegetable oil- vegetable oil

- electricity- electricity

- algae oil- algae oil

- corn- corn

• People are planting more trees to People are planting more trees to take the carbon dioxide out of the air take the carbon dioxide out of the air and governments are helping protect and governments are helping protect forests and the jungleforests and the jungle

Love this Blue PlanetLove this Blue Planet

• I love this planet and I hope we can I love this planet and I hope we can all stop global warming and protect all stop global warming and protect the animalsthe animals

The EndOur Great Earth

Researched, written and produced byResearched, written and produced byAlexandra K.Alexandra K.

Grade 3Grade 3Scenic Acres SchoolScenic Acres School

Earth Day 2008Earth Day 2008

Use of original song "O Great Earth" permitted by Use of original song "O Great Earth" permitted by Linnea Good, Linnea Good, © 1995 Borealis Music© 1995 Borealis Music

www.LinneaGood.comwww.LinneaGood.com