Red List Species of the Day - 10th April

 

The Ploughshare Tortoise is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to a declining wild population of a few hundred animals. This tortoise is restricted to a tiny area of dry scrubland in Northwestern Madagascar, this species has recieved conservation attention since the early 1970's. Protection of the small population in its natural habitat and a captive breeding programme slowly began to increase its numbers, until it became a target of illegal international wildlife traders.

Red List Species of the Day - 9th April

The Honduran White Bat is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN List of Threatened Species. This tiny bat is only 37-47mm, has a distinctive white coat, and is restricted to specific habitats in the lowlands of the Caribbean slopes of Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Northwestern Panama. As a rainforest inhabitan, the loss and degradation of Central America's forests, particularly forested areas containing Heliconia species is the principal threat to the Honduran White Bat. These adorable creatures are tent bats and use the Heliconia leaves for tents, and cling to the underside of the leaves in groups made up of 1 male and a harem of females.