On March 15, a group of scientists will gather at National Geographic Headquarters in Washington, D.C., for a TEDx conference on the theme "End extinction" (DeExtinction). Visionary thinkers and researchers will discuss the feasibility of resurrecting extinct species such as mammoths, passenger pigeons, thylacines, etc., and the ethical questions that may arise from them.
Pictured here are two red-bellied golden pheasants (scientific name Chrysolophus pictus), a bird native to the mountain forests of southwestern China. The image was taken by Joel Sartore, a member of the National Geographic Society and a magazine contributor. He will be giving a presentation on animal conservation at the TEDx conference. Joel Sarto recently launched a book called RARE: Portraits of America's Endangered Species, and he also built Photo Ark, an online archive of images of endangered species. "At the end of the next century, we will watch as nearly half of the species on Earth disappear," Sarto said. The purpose of 'Picture Ark' is to document as many endangered species as possible, so that the animals in the zoo can become ambassadors for the animal kingdom. ”
Over a period of more than 8 years, Joel Sarto has photographed about 2,800 animal species in the zoo, and he says the cause will continue for another 15 to 20 years. In this way, Sarto hopes to draw the public's attention to "every species that boards the 'Ark' is an educational opportunity" and can lead people to participate in wildlife conservation. Some TEDx speakers have also proposed the concept of a "frozen zoo," which preserves the genetic material of endangered animals in liquid nitrogen. "Picture Ark" is the visual version of "Frozen Zoo". Of the animals photographed by Joel Sarto, several are extinct, and the fates of others are unpredictable.
Not all endangered animals are as attractive as the red-bellied golden pheasant, as shown in the picture of this freshwater mussel (scientific name Epioblasma brevidens, a species of the genus Anterior crest mussels in the posterior groove). This shellfish live in rivers in North America and are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), mainly due to habitat loss and environmental pollution. Freshwater shellfish are extremely sensitive to small changes in water quality, especially toxic substances in water bodies. They play a huge role in ecosystems, not only filtering water quality, but also providing a source of protein for many wildlife.
Sarto added: "The disappearance of every species is a great tragedy and an unacceptable atrocity. All that can raise public awareness should be used to protect those species that exist. Public awareness, funding and action are all necessary for the cause of species conservation. ”
The Hawaiian goose (scientific name Branta sandvicensis), classified as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is a species of goose endemic to Hawaii. They are found in Maui, Kauai and Hawaii, as well as the state bird of the state of Hawaii. Like the birds of Hawaii and many other islands, hawaiian geese populations declined dramatically after humans landed on the island. When Captain James Cook visited in 1778, there were about 25,000 Hawaiian geese on the island. However, due to hunting and the predation of exotic species, including mongoose, dogs and pigs, the number of Hawaiian geese plummeted to just 30 by 1952.
Hawaiian geese grow well under artificial breeding conditions. In the first decade of the 21st century, captive Hawaiian geese were released into the wild. Their numbers are growing, but scientists are also concerned that their gene pool is too monolithic. Joel Sarto said: "When we save other species, we are actually saving ourselves. We need healthy, functioning ecosystems that provide us with clean air, water, food, a mild climate, and more. It would be foolish to think that we can sit back and watch so many species go extinct without fear of consequences. ”
Scientists know little about the ecology of the Pingxiang eyelid tiger (scientific name Goniurosaurus luii), which is mainly found in the rocky forests and shrubs along the border between Guangxi and Vietnam. In recent years, due to its special body color, Pingxiang eyelid tiger has become more and more popular in the pet trade.
Joel Sarto said: "Every species is unique, so we need to give each species the special care and attention it deserves. Each species is a true work of art, the result of thousands of years of evolution. Every species has a story, and my job is to tell that story well enough for people to stop and listen and understand. ”
The black-billed magpie (scientific name Pica hudsonia) lives in large areas of the western United States and is one of four North American songbirds whose tails are more than half their body length. Magpies have long been persecuted by humans in the United States, and they are seen as pest birds, or rivals to hunting birds. Several states even offer bounties for the killing of magpies. Although they are not yet listed as endangered, their numbers have declined significantly.
Joel Sarto adds: "A lot of times, just one person is needed to save a species. So many animals I've photographed have never received any attention from the mainstream media, and there are so many ways we can help them. In other words, many species go extinct because of a lack of attention. ”
The poison dart frog (scientific name Dendrobates tinctorius), also known as the dyed poison dart frog, is one of the largest poison dart frogs in the world, with a body length of up to 5 cm, living in Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The poison dart frog has a relatively mild toxin that can cause pain and cramps when touched by a person. The name "dyed poison dart frog" comes from the long-standing custom of local indigenous people to dye their feathers, dyed feathers for sacrifice or celebration. When dyed, the natives plucked the parrot's feathers and rubbed them on the exposed skin with poison dart frogs, which later grew yellow or red instead of green.
Joel Sarto said: "The public needs to be educated, informed, and most importantly, we need to stop so many creatures on Earth from going into the cycle of extinction." We can't save all species, but we can save some, which is why I've been persevering. ”
The Mexican wolf (scientific name Canis lupus baileyi) is the rarest and genetically more genetically alienated subspecies of the wolf, found in North America and listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Mexican wolves were once found in the Sonara and Chihuahua Deserts from central Mexico to western Texas, New Mexico, and central Arizona. Human activities have encroached on their habitat, causing them to lose prey, causing some wolves to start attacking domestic animals. Many ranchers were quick to respond, and by the 1950s, Mexican wolves were barely seen in the wild.
However, several breeding programs have also begun in the United States and Mexico, and hundreds of Mexican wolves now live in artificial environments. Beginning in the 1990s, wildlife managers began experimenting with the reintroduction of Mexican wolves into arizona's mountains.
Leopard spot avoidance (scientific name Furifer pardalis, also known as chameleons) is native to the tropical jungles of the island of Madagascar. This reptile is popular with collectors because of their dazzling body color and relatively large size, which can grow up to 23 centimeters long. Leopard spot avoidances of origin have their own color preferences, and usually adjust the change of body color based on temperature, light and their own mood. Over the past few years, the pet trade has allowed leopard spotters to avoid large exports, a momentum that was halted until the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) included it in Appendix II. Now, due to ongoing deforestation in Madagascar, the colorful chameleon is also threatened with habitat loss.
The jumping rabbit (scientific name Pedetes capensis) is a rodent native to southern and eastern Africa. Due to environmental damage and habitat loss, the population of this nocturnal animal has declined over the past few decades. In 1996, the jumping rabbit was listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but was classified as non-endangered in 2001.
The Brazilian rainbow borer (scientific name Epicrates cenchria cenchria) is a subspecies of the rainbow nymph that lives in Central and South America. Its name comes from the rainbow-colored luster of its appearance, which comes from the reflection of light by microstructures on epidermal cells. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Brazilian rainbow hopper was exported in large quantities in the pet trade, but now exports have been greatly reduced, and most of them come from captivity. The Brazilian rainbow hopper is not currently on the list of special status. (Ren Tian)