Dr. Lopez is a faculty member of the Universidad Autonoma de Oaxaca Benito Juarez and a clinical veterinarian/scientist at the Centro Mexicana de la Tortuga in Mazunte, Oaxaca, Mexico. In addition to his clinical and teaching duties, he has managed to run an iguana hatchery, where he raises from 1000 to 3000 green and black iguanas annually, and runs a sea turtle protection camp at Palmerito. Dr. Lopez spends approximately 75% of his own salary to maintain these projects.

The ARAV, after considering the urgent need, has provided $1000 in emergency funding. But you as an individual member may also wish to contribute to the support of this somewhat unique conservation project. The ARAV will match your contributions up to a total of $500. So if you would like to provide support, please send your contribution check made out to ARAV restricted for Palmarito Turtle Camp to the address below. We will arrange for the transfer to Dr. Lopez. Thanks for your consideration. W. B. Amand, VMD

Wilbur B. Amand, VMD/Exec. Dir. / ARAV/Managing Editor / JHMS
721 Inverness Drive/West Chester, PA 19380/610-696-2347
610-696-2348 (fax)/610-764-7030 (cell)/E-mail: ARAVETS

The primitive Archey’s frog (Leiopelma archeyi) and Hochstetter’s frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri) are two of the species that inhabit the area of ‘high conservation value’ on New Zealand’s North Island where the mining is planned to take place.

Archey’s frog is currently ranked top of the Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) EDGE of Existence amphibian list, making it the most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered amphibian on the planet. Described as a “living fossil,” Archey’s frog is almost indistinguishable from the fossilised remains of frogs that walked amongst the dinosaurs 150 million years ago.

“In the year when reducing biodiversity loss is high on the political agenda, it is inconceivable to think that we’d put the nail in the coffin of some of our rarest and most extraordinary frog species,” say Helen Meredith, EDGE of Existence amphibian conservation projects coordinator at ZSL.

She adds: “We will be faced with these kinds of decisions again and again in the future. Now is the time to start recognising the long-term value of our natural world over any short-term economic gains.”

The frog populations have been intensively monitored for over 40 years, representing the best data set on frog populations in the world. The proposed mining will cut through the heart of these monitoring sites.

Dr Phil Bishop, leader of the University of Otago’s frog research says: “Only four species of frog survive in New Zealand, and this proposed mining activity could cause the extinction of one of New Zealand’s native amphibians, and a severe decline in another — a devastating blow to global amphibian conservation.”

7,000 hectares of land in the West Coast’s Paparoa National Park, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula has been proposed to be considered for mining of coal, gold, iron ore and other rare minerals.

The North Island brown kiwi, long-tailed bats, striped geckos and Helm’s butterfly are some of the other rare and endangered species found in these protected areas.

The New Zealand government is now holding a public consultation on whether the conservation status of the area should be downgraded to allow mining to take place. The closing date for submissions is May 26, 2010 (http://www.med.govt.nz/Schedule4).

ZSL conservationists are now calling for UK residents to support the protection of New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna by submitting to the public consultation process.

Story Source:
Adapted from materials provided by Zoological Society of London.Posted byJon Downesat11:29

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Siberian Tigers were preyed heavily in the beginning of the 20th century during the building of the Chinese railroad. And, only in 1947, Tiger hunting was prohibited and the shooting of important Tiger prey was limited. After the second word war less than 50 Siberian Tigers remained in the wild. With the dissolution of the USSR, the poaching and foreign trade in Tiger body parts increased. The main threat to the population of Siberian Tigers comes from the Asian medicine market. Practically all body parts of this species are used in traditional medicine to cure a great number of diseases.

Purpose:
The Siberian Tiger Conservation Association began with the purpose of preserving these beautiful cats. Researchers predict that all tigers will become extinct in the wild in less than 10 years! They’ve taken the position of educating and training people with actual “hands-on” contact of these magnificent animals to promote a greater awareness of the real threat that exists if we fail to act now to protect them.

Take this oppurtunity!
The Siberian Tiger Conservation Association is an organization of education and training faculty. They provide a chance to learn all about the care of exotic cats while getting “hands-on” experience.