endangered species – Syndication Server

Can you spot the rarely seen Iowa critter in striking image?

Can you spot the rarely seen barn owl in a striking image shared recently by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources?

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has shared a spectacular image showing an expansive view through rock walls.

The agency instructed Facebook followers: “If you think this photo can’t get any more impressive, look a little closer.”

The image was captured by Kaleb Osier at Blackhawk Point Wildlife Management Area. Bosier’s Instagram description reads, simply: “Walk away from my jeep and then walk back.”

But the image also shows a seldom-seen barn owl that appears to have been spooked and is prepared to fly.

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“Spot the barn owl?” The IDNR asks. “It’s not often you get a glimpse of this state-endangered species.”

The owl is easy to spot upon casual inspection.

Barn owl facts: Stands about 16 inches tall, heart-shaped face, does not hoot and call is a “long, hissing shriek,” often found in vacant wooden barns.

The IDNR stated in the comments that barn owls have been endangered in Iowa since 1970.

Watch: North Carolina zoo welcomes litters of endangered red wolf pups

Paws-itively adorable.

Nine new puppies have entered the world, and they’re already supporting a good cause. On May 9, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina, announced the birth of two litters of red wolf pups. Their arrival is part of the American Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program.

The red wolf is considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), “about 15 to 17 red wolves roam their native habitats in eastern North Carolina as a nonessential experimental population, and approximately 235 red wolves are maintained in 49 Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) facilities throughout the United States.”

Watch the adorable pups experience their 24-hour checkup in the video below.

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In a tweet announcing the births, the North Carolina Zoo explained that the two litters came from two different wolf pairs. Red wolves Marsh and Roan welcomed a litter of three pups, while Denali and May produced six pups. The video above shows Denali and May’s litter of six.

As the zoo explained via Twitter, “during their 24-hour checkup, the pups are visually checked to ensure they appear healthy and hydrated. They are checked for heart murmurs and a cleft palate to ensure they have the suckle reflex so they can nurse properly.” Veterinary staff will continue checking the litter every two weeks.

What happens to these pups when they grow to adulthood? Each puppy is a candidate for being released into the wild. As part of the American Red Wolf SAFE program, these pups can help boost the red wolf population.

As the FWS explains on its Red Wolf Recovery Program page, “Captive breeding saved the red wolf from extinction and is an essential component of red wolf recovery. Past releases of red wolves from the population under human care into the ENC RWP [Eastern North Carolina Red Wolf Population] helped the wild red wolf population reach a peak of 120 animals in 2012.”

8 rare butterflies and how you can support their conservation

You can help these creatures thrive.

Butterflies make any day feel brighter. Even people who hate insects can see the beauty in these unique, fluttery creatures. Intricate patterns and eye-catching colors make these dainty insects a sight to behold. Rare butterflies have a special allure due to their scarcity. Unfortunately, in the animal kingdom, scarcity can be dangerous. Species with dwindling numbers may even face extinction.

Extinction risk level determines if a species is considered critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. For butterflies and many other animals, habitat loss and destruction significantly impacts their extinction risk level. Conservation efforts help combat these losses. You can support endangered butterflies in many ways. Try supporting habitat protection efforts in your area, starting a butterfly garden, and learning more from groups like The Conservation Foundation and The Xerces Society. Your hard work will directly contribute to saving beautiful butterflies like the ones featured below.

4 critically endangered animals and how the world is protecting them

Animal conservation is hard, but there is hope.

Humans share the planet with animals of all shapes and sizes. In a world teeming with life, people sometimes forget that many wild animals struggle to survive. Critically endangered species illustrate how easily an entire population of creatures can disappear when threatened. Factors such as habitat loss, poaching, disease, and more present major obstacles for wildlife, but there are solutions. Learn more about some of the world’s critically endangered animals and how groups like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) work to protect them.

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