Animals Who are Extinct Because of Hunting

Over the years Humans and corporations have played a huge part in unethical decisions in terms of the environmental issues on the planet. Global warming and pollution is at an all time high and sadly it's affecting the animals around us. Each day animals are constantly hunted for animal parts that are believed to be of value. Some people hunt for sport and others for money. Let's take a closer look at a few animals who are extinct because of hunting.

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Northern White Rhinoceros - It's not old news that Rhinos have been hunted for their horns. In parts like South Africa it is believed that the horns can cure cancer and fevers. Which of course in untrue. According to researchers there are only 3 Northern White Rhinoceros on this earth. Sadly there is not much we can do to save the species unless they reproduce. Some of the sperm has been frozen and the San Diego Zoo in California is planning on implanting them into Southern white rhinoceros.

Elephants - Elephants are known for their ivory tusks. Ivory is used for manufacturing and art. It is quite popular in South East Asia and China. Because of this demand poachers are constantly killing elephants. It is recorded that every hour 5 African elephants are killed.

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Bengal Tigers - As the national animal of India and Bangladesh it has the largest Tiger species. Countries like India, Nepal and China have failed to implement laws to stop poaching. These countries work in conjunction to tan, kill and trade the fur and bones. The Chinese use the Bengal Tigers bones for herbal medicines.

Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna - Many people don't know that this fish is becoming rare to find. Due to the high demands for the Sushi industry has led to over fishing. The Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna is heavily prized for its taste. It's used for sushi and sashimi. European nations are said to be responsible for over fishing and in 2010 is was banned by European officials.

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Pangolian - The Pangolian is rarely talked about but is on the top list of the most hunted animal in the world. This interesting creature is the only mammal to be completely covered in scales. Pangolian scales are said to cure acne and cancer. When threatened the Pangolian will roll up and their scales will shoot out. These scales are razor sharp. Also Pangolians will release an acid scent to scare off their predators. Similar to a skunk. In Asia and Africa thousands are Pangolians are hunted and killed for their meat and scales.

Sadly all we can do to prevent these animals from going extinct are educating our peers and refusing to buy products from companies or brands that endorse poaching or the use of these materials. It's important for us to know that we are contributing to these animals becoming extinct. Lets do our part and educate others on animals who are extinct because of hunting.

An Elephant's Hot Spots

Elephants can fine tune their body temperature using "hot spots" scattered around their bodies.

 

Picture from Spirit Animals

For years society believed that elephants flapped their large ears to help keep cool, but a 2010 study revealed that elephants are able to direct their blood supply to small patches of skin throughout their body known as "hot spots", which helps them lose heat.

Top Blog Posts Of 2012

The end of December just isn't complete without a year-end roundup, right? Today we've put together a list of our most popular blog posts from 2012. Did yours make the list?

• How Elephants Communicate
• Tigers Swimming (photo gallery)
• Scary Pictures Of Cute Animals

• The Barreleye Spook Fish
• Black Cats - Unlucky Or Misjudged?
• The "Psychedelic" Mandarin Fish
• Duck-Billed Platypus - A Venomous Creature

• The Fennec What?
• Animal Mothers & Their Babies
• The Nudibranch - A Colorful Ocean Creature 

Picture Of The Week - A Dirty Bath

We really don't have much to say about this photo of an elephant taking a dust bath other that it's beautiful. And it makes us very thankful that we take showers! 

Photo via.

Elephant Appreciation Day

Tomorrow is Elephant Appreciation Day and we’re celebrating with a round up of some of our favorite elephant blog posts from the archives!

Did you know that elephants eat about 350 pounds of food each day and drink 18 to 26 gallons of water? 

In ancient times, elephants were actually used in military combat as battle tanks, and are credited with helping Hannibal with the Battle of the Trebia River against the Romans. 

Here’s a fun video of an elephant playing a xylophone. 

A few more elephant facts for you: Their teeth weigh 9 pounds and they can communicate over a distances of many miles using soundwaves that are so low, humans can’t hear them.

Animal Facts: How Elephants Communicate

Did you know that elephants communicate in sound waves that are in such a low frequency that humans are unable hear them? This is called infrasound, and the elephants use it to talk to each other over great distances.

Can you hear me now?

Jumbo The Giant Elephant

As a result of the publicity of P. T. Barnum's Jumbo, a circus elephant, was entered into the English language as a synonym for "large". Jumbo's size was estimated to between 11 and 13 feet and weighing 6.5 tons.