Extinction : The Fact on BBC Earth

 Day be day my habbit of watching wild animal and biodiversity increased , and i spent my every free time with this kind specific channels , which are only focused to provide details about this beautiful creatures. 

Channels like bbc earth, national geographic, wild and discovery entertain you in new way where you are getting knowledge for your every second. So no doubt this is good way to utilize your time in productive way.

Because mom says me that, ” knowledge never wasted, and every single knowledgeable thing become useful at some stage of your life”. And i personally believe it  .

Yesterday i have watched a series on “BBC Earth” that is focused on extinction of animal and biodiversity, and it really changed my opinion perspective towards life and specially towards human beings. 

Extinction: The Facts is a 2020 documentary film by the natural historian David Attenborough which aired on the BBC. It depicts the continuing sixth mass extinction, caused by humans, and the consequences of biodiversity loss and climate change.

facts we learned by watching Extinction: The Facts, presented by Sir David Attenborough

I never seen this person earlier , but i personally become fan of him, or i would like to mention here there i definitely want to join there team, team which specifically focused that how we can make this earth safer and better place for each and everyone. Not only for future human generation but for our wild life too. 

This weekend  show become my favorite and i want everyone to pay attention  on this must and priority show , with what has been heralded as a landmark . Extinction: The Facts presented by Sir David Attenborough, did not mince its words, offering a very real, often terrifying look at the state of our planet today.

As its name suggests, the hour-long film addressed the questions of why one million out of the eight million species on earth are now threatened with extinction (spoiler: it’s because of the actions of one species – humans); and what that means for the planet today and in the future.

Having watched the program , I encourage you to do the same . No doubt the film will eventually be available overseas, although I have not been able to confirm that as yet. So in the meantime, if you’d like to get the low-down on what has been called a ‘surprisingly radical‘ documentary, or if you just like spoilers, we’ve curated some of the most eye-opening facts and quotes from the program right here.

And if the realities of the damage already done to the biodiversity of the planet makes you want to take action, we’ve included some suggestions on the simple steps we can all take to help protect the planet and the species on it, at the end of the article.

1. This is not a future crisis. It’s happening now.

Species of plants and animals are already going extinct, because of what humans are doing to the planet. Since 1500, 570 plant species and 700 animal species have gone extinct. Now, one million species out of eight million species on earth are threatened with extinction. The biggest issue is the rate of extinction. While the disappearance of species from Earth is ongoing and rates of extinction have varied over time; historically, extinction has happened over millions of years, but now, it’s happening over tens of years. In fact, it’s happening 100x faster than the natural evolutionary rate, and it’s accelerating.

2. Extinction is happening everywhere. And to everything. And it has a huge ripple effect.

From the Amazon, to Africa, to the Arctic, we are losing species of insects, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and more. And the consequences of these losses has a massive ripple effect. When you look at biodiversity, ecosystems, food chains – everything is interconnected. When you remove or damage one part of that well-oiled machine, the rest of it malfunctions. When it comes to the biodiversity machine, all parts, from the tiniest ant, to the tallest tree, to the largest whale, to the tallest branch, they are all necessary for it – and the planet, and us humans – to survive.

For example, at least 10% of insect species are at risk of extinction. The ripple effect from that loss will impact on the food chain for hundreds of thousands of other species that rely on insects to survive, as well as the loss of pollinators to ensure crops can grow. A 10% loss of insect species will effect three quarters of the world’s food crops.

Under the ground, 30% of lands globally have been degraded, which means a loss of diversity in the soil – the consequences of while could be catastrophic, as it means food production is already being impacted.

25% of our plant species are at risk of extinction. That impacts the air we breathe. the level of co2 in the air, how clean our water is. Trees are vital to intercept rainfall and hold the ground together with their roots. Where we lose trees, we gain landslides.

3. There are eight million species on planet earth, but only one species is responsible for the extinction of others: humans.

There are many ways we humans royally mess up our own home:

• Poaching. Any animal, it seems, can be bought for the right price. From rhinos, to pangolins, they are purchased as status symbols or for fantasy medical purposes.
• Over-fishing. At any one time, 100,000 trawlers are operating in our seas. The seas have been decimated of fish. Losing the smaller species of fish, like cod, has a ripple effect to the larger fish and sea animals that prey on them and depend on them for survival.
• Consumerism. Although population growth does have some impact on biodiversity, it is the demand for consumption that has a greater effect on the planet. The world’s developing countries have a higher population growth; but it is the developed countries, which have a lower population growth, but a higher demand for consumption, that are putting a strain on nature’s resources. Many of the products we use are produced in an unsustainable way and in places that don’t have the same environmental laws and regulations that a country such as the UK has.
• Climate Change.  This will be the biggest threat faced by species. The Paris Agreement states that all governments should try and limit climate change to no more than 2’C. All calculations show we’re on track for a 3-4 degree rise in temperatures. Increasing temperatures force some species to move to cooler locations. Eventually, they run out of places to go.
• Destruction of habitats. 90% of the wetlands around the world have already been lost. 75% of land that is not covered by ice has already been converted. Mostly to feed one species – humans, and often humans from the other side of the world to where the clearance has happened. We are unwittingly supermarket-shopping our way into disaster, with cheap food and access year-round to a variety of food (rather than seasonal, locally grown produce). Research shows the main drivers of biodiversity loss are soy (the majority of which goes into animal feed, particularly chicken feed), cocoa, coffee, palm oil and beef. Livestock accounts for 60% of the total mammals on earth, humans 36% and wild animals just 4%.
• Humans are behind every single pandemic, so stop blaming the bats. It is human impact on the environment that drives emerging diseases. Not just wildlife trade and animal markets – which are an ideal environment for viruses to spread, due to the density of highly-stressed animals in proximity to people (when stressed, animals shed viruses at a higher rate); but also because of our daily intrusion into wildlife habitat. Forests have thousands of viruses that we haven’t come into contact with yet. Deforestation and construction that encroaches into those forests exposes humans to those viruses. And before you know it, we’re in another pandemic. In fact, according to the documentary, it is estimated that there will be five new emerging diseases affecting people every year.

Ok, I’m angry, sad, terrified and feeling helpless. Is there anything I/we can do to help save the planet and prevent species extinction?

Extinction: The Facts gives examples of where change has happened in the past, with positive outcomes: like the replacement of CFCs in aerosols and refrigerators, with an alternative that didn’t create a hole in the ozone layer in 1996; or how governments in three East African countries collaborated with conservation organizations and local communities to save the mountain gorilla, which only a few decades ago was on the brink of extinction.

The documentary identified a number of changes that need to be made, and we have added to those the actions individuals can take towards each one below.

1. Reset the way we run our economies. We’re coming out of a global pandemic and into a global recession. But research has shown that investment in projects that are good for the environment, can also provide a strong way out of the depression with quick, labor-intensive actions that have powerful and positive economic outcomes.

Crowned Eagle

 The crowned eagle is also known as the African crowned eagle or the crowned hawk eagle. It is considered a large bird of prey found in Sub-Saharan Africa and a few other locations in South America.

This particular eagle species is threatened due to trapping, shooting, and nest destruction. In addition, they often face competition for prey from humans as well as habitat loss.

Description

• Latin Name: Stephanoaetus coronatus
• Locatation: Subsaharan Africa
• Habitat: Dense woodlands and forests
• Population Status: Near Threatened
• Size: Up to 10 lb 6 oz (4.7 kilograms), with the female weighing more than the male
• Wingspan: 6 ft 3 in (1.9 meters)
• Diet: Mammels including ungulates (such as antelope), rock hyrax, and monkeys
• Physical Features: Dark brown heads, white and blackish feathers, thick legs, and sharp talons
• Lifespan: Up to 15 years.

Crowned eagles are large predatory birds with slate grey feathers and a visible crest. When measuring the crowned eagle size, you will find that these birds are 31 to 30 inches long.

A male crowned eagle size is typically between 7.1 and 10 pounds, while the female eagle weighs around 5.6 to 9.1 pounds. The crowned eagle wingspan is 5 to 5.9 feet.

African Crowned Eagle Facts

These majestic birds are awe-inspiring and powerful. Keep reading for the top facts about African crowned eagles.

1. The African crowned eagle is also called the crowned eagle, and the crowned hawk-eagle.

2. The African crowned eagle lives in Sub-Saharan Africa. They live from coast to coast across the central part of Africa, and only on the eastern side of the continent as you travel further south.

3. They like to live in dense woodlands and forests, including in African rainforests. But as their traditional habitat is shrinking due to deforestation, you may spot one in a more urban location.

4. The African crowned eagle has a dark brown head. The upper part of its body is covered with dark feathers, while its belly is white with blackish blotches. The wings are also white, but with black tips and two black bars.

They have thick, strong legs with yellow feet and long black talons.

A young African crowned eagle looks quite different. It is hatched covered in fluffy, mostly white down. The first body feathers will start coming in at around 40 days, while the crown (head) feathers appear at about 2 months.

Their feathers are lighter colored when they are young. It takes 3 years to mature to adult coloration.

The tail of this eagle species is striped boldly in black and white, though juveniles are duller and have plumage that includes quite a bit of brown. Adult eagles have a dark brown head and long crest feathers tipped in white.

5. If you include tail feathers in the measurement, the African crowned eagle is 31-39 inches (80-99 centimeters) long.

In terms of length, It is the 5th largest eagle in the world! It is preceded by the Philippine eagle, the Harpy eagle, the Wedge-Tailed eagle, and the Steller’s Sea-eagle.

Its long tail helps guide it as it flies among the trees, as a rudder guides a boat.

6.The largest authenticated wingspan of a crowned eagle is 6 ft 3 in (1.9 meters), although some claim they are larger.

For their weight, this is considered a relatively short wingspan. However, their wings are quite broad. This combination gives them great maneuverability in their forested home.

7. On average, the female is about 10-15 percent larger than the male. A female weighs between 3.2-4.7 kilograms.

A male weighs between 2.6-4.1 kilograms. This makes them the 9th heaviest living eagle species.

8. African crowned eagles are meat-eaters. At least 90 percent of their diet is made up of mammals. As they can be found in many different countries in Africa, their diet varies depending on what’s available regionally.

Ungulates (such as antelope), rock hyrax (adorable little mammals native to Africa and the Middle East), and monkeys are regularly on the menu as their principal prey items.

Every once in a while they may chow down on a bird or lizard, but this is not common.

One type of antelope that they feed on is the bushbuck. It can weigh up to 66 pounds (30 kilograms)! That is more than 6 times the weight of the biggest crowned eagle. Although usually, they hunt the antelopes that are only 4 times their size.

9. The crowned eagle is the most powerful eagle in Africa.

Some would argue that it holds the “crown” for the most powerful eagle in the world (based on the ratio of eagle size to prey size), although others would give this title to the harpy eagle.

As mentioned above, crowned eagles are strong enough to go after prey 4-6 times their own weight. Their talons are strong enough to break spines and crush skulls.

As if yet, there has not been an actual test done to measure the pressure per square inch (PSI) of their grip strength.

10. Crowned eagles have a disposition described as nervous, constantly alert, and on edge. They will fiercely protect their nest.

11. Crowned eagles are very stealthy. They will perch silently in a tree waiting for an unsuspecting victim to appear down below. When they are ready, they will use their powerful legs, strong toes, and giant talons to snatch their prey, often crushing the skull in the process. For larger prey, the eagle will use its sharp hind talon to break the prey’s spine.

These eagles are built for speed. Thye can swoop after prey at an astonishing 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).

A fact that I find both interesting and disturbing is that a pair of crowned eagles may choose to hunt together.

The male will soar high in the sky, making sounds to attract the attention of monkeys in the trees below. With the monkeys looking up in confusion, the female eagle will swoop in and nab one.

They prefer to eat their prey in the safety of tree branches. Larger prey will be torn into pieces on the ground and brought up to the nest bit by bit. I hope you are not eating your lunch while reading this…

12. A male works hard to attract his mate. If she’s going to stick with him for life, she’ll need to be impressed. He’ll fly high into the air and swoop down, only to climb back up again.

At the peak of each climb, he’ll flap his wings very quickly, throw back his head, and call out loudly (for up to 30 seconds). During the descent, he may drop as many as 200 feet (60 meters) at a time before ascending back up.

If the female feels sufficiently wooed, the two will lock talons and cartwheel down toward the ground, letting go at the very last second.

There is also a pre-copulation display in which the male runs around the crouching female with his wings upraised.

13. A female crowned eagle will lay 1 or 2 eggs. The eggs are white but sometimes have brownish flecks. Crowned eagles breed once every two years. Incubation lasts for approximately 49 days.

During that period the female will sit on the eggs for 80-90 percent of the time with the male filling in on occasion.

If two eggs are successfully hatched, the weaker of the two will not last. It will either die of starvation (by being outcompeted for food by its sibling), or it may even be killed directly by its sibling. These birds are born fierce.

14. Baby crowned eagles are known by three names (hatchling, eaglet, and fledgling), depending on their life stage.

Hatchlings describe newly hatched eagles.

After a few days, young eagles are called eaglets.

And once they fly for the first time, they become fledglings.

15. Yes, African crowned eagles live in nests. The nest is made using both dead sticks and fresher green branches. The female gathers the material needed to make the nest, while the male is more involved in the construction of it.

A pair of eagles will use the same nest for many years, improving and expanding it. Over time the nest may become as large as 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide, and 10 feet (3 meters) deep. That’s huge!

16. They are not on the endangered species list, although their numbers are on the decline. This is due to the destruction of their home, the tropical African forest. Currently, African crowned eagles are listed as Near Threatened.

An eagle of the same genus (Stephanoaetus), the Malagasy crowned eagle, went extinct sometime around the year 1500.

16. They can live up to 15 years.

Coyote : Clever Animal

 A coyote is grayish- brown in color with white fur under its neck and belly. It has pointed ears and a long muzzle. A long bushy tail hangs from its backside. Coyotes belong to the dog family and have a lot of the same traits. They typically weigh between 15 to 25 pounds and measure about 35 inches long, with another 16 inches for the tail.

Coyote pairs mate between February and April. Two months later, the female will give birth to 3-12 pups in the den. Within about three weeks, the pups will come out of the den. After they are weaned at the age of 4 weeks, the parents will feed them regurgitated food. The male pups will leave their family in the fall (5-6 months after birth), but the female pups will stay in their mothers pack. The lifespan of a coyote in the wild is between 10 and 14 years.

Very popular in Native American folklore, highly adaptable to the environment, and cunningly smart, the coyote knows how to make the most of bad situations.

The Coyote (Canis latrans) is found over most of North America, in various environments such as grasslands, deserts, and forests. These clever animals belong to the dog family (Canis). 

Coyote Facts

Coyotes normally hunt alone or in pairs.

Dogs run with their tails up; coyotes run with their tails down.

These animals are very vocal.

The coyote has few natural predators. They include bears, mountain lions, and wolves.

In captivity, a coyote can live up to 20 years.

Coyotes are very good swimmers.

Coyotes will eat just about anything.

Coyote litter size varies from 3-12 pups.

Coyotes have excellent vision and a great sense of smell.

Coyotes can run about 40 miles an hour.

Coyotes make noise at night to communicate with members of their family or pack and to keep track of them.

Coyotes are monogamous, which means they have one mate their whole life.

Coyotes rarely build their own dens. They usually take over an abandoned one.

Coyote pups are born blind.

Coyotes are nocturnal.

Coyote Habitat

Coyotes are found in most of the United States and Canada and some of Mexico. They are not picky with their habitat because they can adapt so well nearly anywhere. They live mainly in deserts, grasslands, and forests.

Coyotes are primarily carnivorous, but will also eat fruits and berries on occasion. They hunt at night for mammals, birds, mice, and snakes. Most of the time they hunt alone, but when they hunt for large prey such as deer, they will hunt in packs.