Jul 07 2008
New study shows that gorillas, sunbears on the brink of extinction
There is a shocking new prediction that extinction rates are 100 times faster than previously thought. The findings suggest that animals most at risk include the western lowland gorilla which has been hard hit by ebola and commercial bush meat trade, the Sumatran tiger, and the Malayan sun bear, the smallest of the bear family. The Yangtze river dolphin could be already extinct. The study reported in the Guardian is about to be published in the journal Nature by Brett Melbourne an ecologist at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Alan Hastings at the University of California, Davis. They said that “Some species could have months instead of years left, while other species that haven’t even been identified as under threat yet should be listed as endangered,” said Melbourne.
What’s interesting is that their work is based purely on mathematical models – frankly I have a hard time believing these models – having seen how they work before. Most of the time we can tell that species are on the verge of extinction by their population size – I mean, with only 700 mountain gorillas left we don’t need mathematical models to give us a precise date of when they will go extinct. They are in trouble NOW and need help now. I get so mad that millions and millions are spent on study upon study – and very little ever makes it to the ground to actually address the problem!
And I’m also so proud that WildlifeDirect has taken on the challenge head on by supporting field conservationists like Wong who is saving sun bears and the ICCN who are saving gorillas
5 responses so far
Honestly, I doubt that millions were spent on that study. Most scientists, at least the ones who volunteer for the National Academy of Sciences, do their research on smallish grants.
I think the study has merit if for no other reason than it might shake up some people on this planet who think we’re not in any danger. I know far too many people who care only about the human species, because they’ve been taught that non-human animals are a commodity for us to use as we please. So, if this report scares some folks into action, I think that’s OK.
s.
Thanks Sheryl, you are right, each study may not be millions. I heard a presentation in the US earlier this year about research in the Eastern Ark forests (East Africa) where some 14 million dollars had been spent on research, virtually all foreign scientists associated with international institutions, hardly anything had gone to local institutions, and virtually none to conservation. This study above is just one of many studies that are all saying the same thing, we’re being duped into financing these studies and not the conservation work that is being done by those on the front lines.
Sheryl, so true…….you know always know exactly what to say………the main thing we all know is they are hurting!!!!!!!! They will be gone soon if we don’t figure out how to save these species!
I agree with you there, Paula, that too much money is spent on studies and not enough on actual conservation and education. But then I look around where I live every day and wonder why humans are so addicted to spending money on stupid sh**. It’s like watching all the humans fiddle while the planet burns …
s.
Studies … and election campaigns !!!!!