Wildlife Conservation

#ffffff;" />Galapagos sea lions have moved their territory to the
Wildlife conservationists are battling alarming trendscoast of northern Peru, some 900 miles away.
both in Britain and abroad to protect the future ofThis species is one of many on the Galapagos that
endangered species. Already in 2010 there have beencan't be found elsewhere in the world, so this
a number of important scientific press releasesrevelation is an important issue for wildlife conservation,
regarding the future of our animals and their habitats.which could indicate the start of a worrying trend of
Tigers in the Wildanimals leaving their natural habitats.
Like pandas and whales, the tiger has frequently beenThere is concern that the colony's abandonment of
the poster child for wildlife conservation. This year, athe Galapagos may not only upset the ecosystem of
report has emerged from China that their numbers inthe archipelago, but could destabilise the ecological
the wild could be as low as fifty.balance around Peru as well.
China Country Program Director and spokespersonOver the last decade the sea temperature has risen in
for the Wildlife Conservation Society, Xie Yan,this region by an average of 6 degrees centigrade,
described the situation as "depressing". In surveys ofmatching the conditions around Galapagos. ORCAA
the Chinese countryside they are now able to countscientists have suggested this may have attracted the
provincial tiger populations in just double digits, with onlysea lions to the area.
fifteen animals spotted in the whole of Tibet, and ten inWelsh Squirrels
Yunnan. Furthermore, it is thought that these tigers areOur native red squirrels have been struggling in recent
too isolated from other tiger populations for theirdecades. They are such an iconic animal for our British
numbers to recover.countryside and heritage, so it is good to hear that
Numbers are better in the northeast, however, wherethere are now a number of governmental and
wild tigers are able to interact with others from Russiascientific bodies looking into the problem. In February
and wildlife conservation schemes have had some2010, a Squirrel Conservation Plan was announced in
success. There is also less human interference withWales.
their habitat in this region.The numbers of red squirrels have dwindled owing to
Looking at a wider picture, the Asian population hasthe invasion of grey and black squirrel species, disease,
fallen from approximately 100,000 to 3,500 in the lastand some narrowing of their habitat – an issue
hundred years. Medicinal traditions and a market forthat affects a variety of British wildlife. Conservation
tiger pelts and trophies have meant that tigers havegroups like the Wales Squirrel Forum are keen to get
been brought to the brink of extinction by hunting.the new protection project up and running.
Galapagos Sea LionsThe plan will include surveying and monitoring
Wildlife conservationists at the Organisation forpopulations, setting up databases, and investigating
Research and Conservation of Aquatic Animals haveinfluence of climate change. This is a welcome initiative
reported an alarming exodus from the Galapagosfor the many wildlife conservationists already working
Islands. The ORCAA scientists who monitor theto preserve the species for the future.
waters around Peru have noticed an entire colony of