The Top Three Threats to Animals of 2006 Nicole Burton, News Editor , NOVEMBER 30 2006 \ ed 3 Wiiwu « J 4 1. Deforestation While some in this province would insist they will stop at nothing (nothing!) to rid the forésts of the dreaded Mountain Pine Beetle, they should be reminded that not all (in fact, very few) forest creatures are celebrating, or breeding like crazy in these modern times. Our profile: The tragic story of the Vancouver Island Marmot. According to ani- malinfo.org, the born-and-raised-in-BC woodland creature “is a housecat-sized rodent weighing 3 - 6.5 kg (6.6 - 14.3 lb). It prefers sub-alpine open areas, in south to — west-facing meadows. The flowering parts of alpine plants are its preferred food. The Vancouver Island marmot prefers open areas 2. Animal Trafficking According to Dener Giovanini, author of a recent article entitled, “Taking Animal Trafficking Out of the Shadows,” the current illegal animal trafficking trade worldwide nets in at about $200 billion USD a’year. And despite scores of legislation outlawing the trade and prosecuting those involved, the profits are immense—as high as 800 per cent—and keep animal trafficking a flourish- ing business, legal or not. Listed below are sample market prices for selected products. ragon: Despite there being only 5000 left, Komodo Dragons continue to be captured and sold as exotic pets. The black market price to purchase a Komodo Dragon is around $30,000. Rhino Horns: Used most often in traditional Asian medicines and sold as an aphrodisiac, according to journalist Ben Davies, in some cases a thino horn is worth “more than five times its weight in gold. On the international 3. Modern Warfare and Chemical Weapons As recently as last summer, Israel conducted more than 700 aerial bombings against their northern neighbour, Lebanon. According to the UN Environment Ministry, more than 4 30,000 tons of fuel oil from the Jiyyeh power plant in Beirut was hit by Israel and poured into the sea, spreading along some 100 kilo- metres of Lebanese coastline, as well as the waters and shorelines of Syria, Greece and Cyprus. What are the short-term, and long-term effects of such a disaster? A coalition of environmental groups declared the Jiyyeh spill “one of the worst environmental crises in Lebanese history.” “This oil slick definitely poses a threat to biodiversity,’ said marine biologist Dr, Ezio Amato of Italy, who worked with an assessment team in Damascus shortly after the spill. Among the war’s more than 1000 human lives lost, local wildlife would be suffering for years, according to ecologists. Included in this survey was 2006's batch of green sea turtles, an endangered species in the Mediterranean. The aquatic reptiles emerge from shoreline that provide good soil for burrowing, plenti- ful herbs to eat, and suitable rocks for look- out spots. It lives in colonies comprised of one of more family groups, and monoga- mous pairings are the norm.” Tree encroachment is cited as the #1 killer of this species. In a 1996 article on Biodiversity in Marmots, A. A. Bryant writes, “With a population numbering fewer than 100, Vancouver Island marmots must be considered as one of North America’s most critically endangered mammals. Only by increasing both their numbers and distribu- tion can the future of this engaging rodent be secured.” market, a kilogram of rhino horn can teach prices of $10,000. To the hunter, a rhino horn may be worth between $100 to $400, and reaching prices as high as $38,000 at the final destination point. Bears: The paws of bears are trafficked to be used for Bear Paw soup, where a bowl cai cost $60 in the local area, to as high as $1,000 overseas. In addition, 250cc of a bear’s bile is extracted from its gall bladder t be sold as traditional Chinese medicine for $1,000. An estimated 4,000 bears in Vietnam and up to twice as many in China are believed to producing the bile. The selling of bear bile has reached across the world; in October 2006, authorities arrested four indi- viduals for selling bear bile in San Francisco’ Chinatown. Ivory: Ivory taken from Asian elephants are priced at $400 per kilogram in China. Tiger: The bones of a tiger can sell for $40( per kilogram. In addition, 200,000 bottles of tiger bone wine is reportedly sold a year fot price of $100 a bottle. nests in July, shortly after the oil spill, uncountable thousands of eggs and hatch- lings were destroyed by the pollution. The ecological effects of war are noted tc have some of the longest-lasting effects against local plant and wildlife, due to the nature of.modern warfare including wide varieties or chemical and biological weaponry 2006 marked the 30¢R anniversary of the US. military’s introduction of napalm and Agent Orange into its war against South ‘Vietnam. Agents Orange and White kill plants by interfering with their metabolisms, Agent Blue by dehydrating the plant. The tw former mixtures were used on forests, the lat ter on croplands, and in total 91 million kilo- grams were used across 10% of the country. The effects were devastating—entire species of birds, fish, and insects disappearec in the ashes of the local plant life, along with hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese. Despite the devastating affects of the chemi- cal weapon, derivatives of napalm known as “White Phosphorous” are still being used today—by the United States in Iraq, and by Canada and NATO forces in Afghanistan.