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Protection for 'weirdest' species | Protection for 'weirdest' species |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A conservation programme for some of the world's most bizarre and unusual creatures has been launched by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). | A conservation programme for some of the world's most bizarre and unusual creatures has been launched by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). |
Species like the bumblebee bat and the pygmy hippopotamus will be protected under the Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (Edge) project. | Species like the bumblebee bat and the pygmy hippopotamus will be protected under the Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (Edge) project. |
The scheme targets animals with unique evolutionary histories that are facing a real risk of extinction. | The scheme targets animals with unique evolutionary histories that are facing a real risk of extinction. |
The ZSL says many of these species are ignored by existing conservation plans. | The ZSL says many of these species are ignored by existing conservation plans. |
The Society defines Edge animals as having few close relatives, genetically distinct, and require immediate action to save them from extinction. | The Society defines Edge animals as having few close relatives, genetically distinct, and require immediate action to save them from extinction. |
'One-of-a-kind' | 'One-of-a-kind' |
"People have been talking about one-of-a-kind species being particularly important for conservation for a long time, but it has been very difficult to integrate them into conservation planning," Jonathan Baillie, the programme's lead scientist, told BBC News. | "People have been talking about one-of-a-kind species being particularly important for conservation for a long time, but it has been very difficult to integrate them into conservation planning," Jonathan Baillie, the programme's lead scientist, told BBC News. |
"This is the first global-scale programme where we have been able to do it." | "This is the first global-scale programme where we have been able to do it." |
This has been made possible because of the development of a taxonomic "super tree" that shows the relationship between different species. | |
EDGE 'FOCAL SPECIES' FOR 2007 Pygmy hippopotamusAttenborough's long-beaked echidnaHispaniolan solenodonBactrian camelYangtze River dolphinSlender lorisHirola antelopeGolden-rumped elephant shrewBumblebee batLong-eared jerboa (Image courtesy of ZSL) | EDGE 'FOCAL SPECIES' FOR 2007 Pygmy hippopotamusAttenborough's long-beaked echidnaHispaniolan solenodonBactrian camelYangtze River dolphinSlender lorisHirola antelopeGolden-rumped elephant shrewBumblebee batLong-eared jerboa (Image courtesy of ZSL) |
"So we know which ones are most evolutionary distinct, and then we can combine this with threat status," Dr Baillie added. | "So we know which ones are most evolutionary distinct, and then we can combine this with threat status," Dr Baillie added. |
Scientists have identified a total of 564 species that fall within the new definition, and the ZSL's programme will focus on the top 100. | Scientists have identified a total of 564 species that fall within the new definition, and the ZSL's programme will focus on the top 100. |
For the first year, the ZSL has identified 10 "focal species" that will be the first to benefit from the initiative. | For the first year, the ZSL has identified 10 "focal species" that will be the first to benefit from the initiative. |
The bumblebee bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai), believed to be the world's smallest mammal, is one of the beneficiaries. | The bumblebee bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai), believed to be the world's smallest mammal, is one of the beneficiaries. |
It is understood that it is the sole member of the Craseonycterudae family of bats, and is thought to have last shared a common ancestor with another species about 43 million years ago. | It is understood that it is the sole member of the Craseonycterudae family of bats, and is thought to have last shared a common ancestor with another species about 43 million years ago. |
Since being first described in 1974, the tiny creature has been disturbed by collectors and tourists wanting to see it. | Since being first described in 1974, the tiny creature has been disturbed by collectors and tourists wanting to see it. |
The main threat facing it comes from forest burning near its habitat of limestone caves in western Thailand and south-east Burma. | The main threat facing it comes from forest burning near its habitat of limestone caves in western Thailand and south-east Burma. |
The slender loris (Loris tardigradus), found in southern Sri Lanka, is another to benefit. | The slender loris (Loris tardigradus), found in southern Sri Lanka, is another to benefit. |
The ZSL says the fossil record of the lorids extends back to the Early Miocene (20 million years ago). | The ZSL says the fossil record of the lorids extends back to the Early Miocene (20 million years ago). |
Populations of this small primate are declining because of deforestation, and conservationists plan to restore its habitat and establish corridors between fragmented areas of forest. | Populations of this small primate are declining because of deforestation, and conservationists plan to restore its habitat and establish corridors between fragmented areas of forest. |
'Mona Lisa' species | 'Mona Lisa' species |
Dr Baillie hoped the initiative would help raise awareness of the plight of these little-known animals. | Dr Baillie hoped the initiative would help raise awareness of the plight of these little-known animals. |
"They represent entire lineages. If you were to think about Edge species in terms of the art world, it would be like losing a Mona Lisa - they are totally irreplaceable and unique. | "They represent entire lineages. If you were to think about Edge species in terms of the art world, it would be like losing a Mona Lisa - they are totally irreplaceable and unique. |
Hirola - Africa's most threatened antelope (Image: Tim Wacher/ZSL)"At the moment, we are focusing on the 10 focal species where we think we can really make a difference, and we are trying to raise funds to implement conservation actions." | Hirola - Africa's most threatened antelope (Image: Tim Wacher/ZSL)"At the moment, we are focusing on the 10 focal species where we think we can really make a difference, and we are trying to raise funds to implement conservation actions." |
For each of the animals, he says the first step will be to send a team of experts to the region to assess the state of the species. | For each of the animals, he says the first step will be to send a team of experts to the region to assess the state of the species. |
Local students will then be recruited to act as "Edge conservation fellows" to carry out ongoing research, which will be used to shape strategies to protect the species. | Local students will then be recruited to act as "Edge conservation fellows" to carry out ongoing research, which will be used to shape strategies to protect the species. |
He adds that they are aiming to have action plans in place for the top 100 Edge creatures within the next five years. | He adds that they are aiming to have action plans in place for the top 100 Edge creatures within the next five years. |
The programme will be funded by grants, and from donations made by the public visiting a website updated with the latest field research and blogs from conservationists working on the projects. | The programme will be funded by grants, and from donations made by the public visiting a website updated with the latest field research and blogs from conservationists working on the projects. |
The ZSL is currently working on a similar scheme for amphibians, which it hopes to launch in the near future. | The ZSL is currently working on a similar scheme for amphibians, which it hopes to launch in the near future. |