After The Forests

27/04/2023

Cloud forests are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, with a wide variety of unique and rare species, including including Baird's Tapir, the Andean Spectacled Bear and the Capuchin Monkey. Many of these species are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and other human activities.

Conservation efforts aimed at protecting cloud forest species include reforestation, habitat restoration, and the creation of protected areas. Additionally, community-based conservation programs that involve local people in conservation efforts have proven to be effective.

Protecting cloud forest species is not only important for their intrinsic value, but also for the benefits they provide to humans Indigenous to these areas, such as clean water, carbon storage, and ecotourism. By working to conserve these species, we can help to maintain the health and wellbeing of both the ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

25/04/2023

Wolves are fascinating animals with many interesting characteristics. Here are three fun facts:

🐺Wolves are highly social animals that live in packs, which can range in size from just a few individuals to as many as 30 or more. Within the pack, there is a strict social hierarchy, with dominant wolves taking charge of hunting and other important activities.

🐺Wolves have an incredible sense of smell, which they use to track prey and communicate with each other. Their sense of smell is so acute that they can detect scents from up to a mile away!

🐺Wolves are known for their distinctive howling, which they use to communicate with other members of their pack. Howling helps wolves to locate each other over long distances and to reinforce social bonds within the pack.

Have you ever seen a wolf in the wild? Share your story in the comments!

20/04/2023

A whale's blowhole is a specialized nostril located on top of its head. It is connected to the respiratory system, and the opening is surrounded by muscular tissue that helps to control the flow of air in and out.

When a whale surfaces to breathe, it opens its blowhole and exhales a powerful burst of air, which can reach speeds of up to 300 miles per hour. This exhalation clears the old air from the lungs and propels it out of the blowhole, along with any mucus or water that may have accumulated. The whale then quickly inhales a fresh breath of air, which can be held in its lungs for several minutes before it needs to surface again.

The muscular tissue around the blowhole helps to prevent water from entering the respiratory system when the whale is underwater. When the whale is ready to surface, the muscles relax and the blowhole opens, allowing air to rush in. Once the whale is back underwater, the muscles contract again, sealing the blowhole and preventing water from entering.

Have you ever been whale watching? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments!

18/04/2023

Iguanas are known for their incredible ability to change color. They can change from bright green to a dull gray-brown, depending on their mood and the temperature around them. This color-changing ability is thought to help them regulate their body temperature and communicate with other iguanas.

Iguanas have a third "eye" on top of their head, called a parietal eye. This eye is not used for vision, but instead helps the iguana detect changes in light and dark. It also helps them regulate their circadian rhythm and avoid predators.

Some species of iguanas, such as the marine iguana found in the Galapagos Islands, are able to dive underwater and feed on algae. These iguanas have evolved special adaptations, such as flattened tails for swimming and a special gland that helps them excrete excess salt, to thrive in their marine environment.

13/04/2023

Being an Australian who spends lots of time in nature, I'm always excited to see a koala in the wild, though it happens very rarely!

Did you know these interesting facts about one of Australia's most famous animals?

🐨 Koalas have a unique diet of eucalyptus leaves, which are highly toxic to most other animals due to their high concentrations of toxins and low nutritional content, but koalas have evolved specialized digestive systems to process these leaves.

🐨 Koalas are known for their unusual sleeping habits, as they can sleep for up to 20 hours a day, often dozing in eucalyptus trees with their limbs draped over branches for support.

🐨 Koalas have a relatively low reproductive rate and mate only once a year during a brief mating season, with males using loud vocalizations and scent marking to attract females.

Have you ever seen a koala in the wild? Let me know in the comments!

11/04/2023

I absolutely LOVE big cats, and snow leopards are one of my favourites!

It's heartbreaking that they're an endangered species, with an estimated population of only 4,000-6,500 remaining in the wild, primarily in Central Asia.

To conserve snow leopards and their habitats, the Snow Leopard Trust focuses on community-based conservation initiatives and scientific research.

They utilize a range of strategies, such as anti-poaching efforts, habitat restoration, and public education and awareness campaigns, to protect snow leopards from threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

You can learn more about their work here: https://snowleopard.org/

06/04/2023

You may know toucans for their large, colourful bills, which are used for a variety of purposes, including attracting mates, reaching for fruit, and defending their territory.

But despite their seemingly cumbersome size and shape, toucans' bills are actually lightweight and hollow, made of a material called keratin, the same substance that makes up human hair and nails!

There are a few different species of toucans that live across Central and South America. If you know the name of any of these species, leave your answer in the comments!

04/04/2023

Hyenas are such interesting creatures! Their distinctive cackling laughter is an unusual vocalization used to communicate with other members of their clan.

Did you know that female hyenas have evolved to be larger and more dominant than males? The highest ranking female is the most dominant member of the clan, making it a matriachal society!

Have you ever seen a hyena in the wild? I'm dying to go to Africa to see them (and plenty of other animals!). Share your stories in the comments!

29/03/2023

Pangolins are currently the world's most trafficked mammal, with illegal trade driven by demand for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine, and their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some countries.

Habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation and agricultural expansion are also major threats to pangolins, as they require large areas of forest and savannah to thrive.

Climate change is also emerging as a potential threat to pangolins, as shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns could impact their food sources and habitats.

Various organizations, such as the Pangolin Specialist Group and the Wildlife Conservation Society, are working to protect pangolins through anti-poaching efforts, habitat conservation, public education and awareness campaigns, and research and monitoring initiatives.

27/03/2023

Zimbabwe is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetahs and many other species that are under threat from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

To combat these challenges, various conservation programs have been established in Zimbabwe, such as the Painted Dog Conservation, which focuses on the protection of the African wild dog, and the International Rhino Foundation, which works to conserve the critically endangered black rhino.

These programs utilize a range of strategies, including community engagement, anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and education and awareness campaigns to safeguard Zimbabwe's wildlife for future generations.

Have you been to Zimbabwe, or do you want to go? Leave your stories in the comments!

24/03/2023

My latest article about the ownership and rescue of exotic animals is now available!

As well as mentioning the global phenomenon of the show "Tiger King" and the tragic and lesser known Zanesville Zoo Escape, I provide some examples of the successful rescue of exotic animals.

These include Operation Spirit of Freedom, which involved the removal of lions from circuses in Peru and Colombia and their release into a sanctuary in South Africa.

I hope you enjoy it!

The 2020 Netflix documentary series, “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness,” captured the attention of millions of viewers, offering a…

22/03/2023

Did you know that the colour and size of a lion's mane can indicate many things about their wellbeing?

Darker and fuller manes indicate better health and higher testosterone levels, and conservationists can also determine the age and level of fitness of the lions they study based on mane colour.

Have you ever seen lions in the wild? I'd love to hear your stories!