Whaling data by scientific permit, aboriginal catches, and whales taken under objection by the International Whaling Commission from 1985-2007
For more information check out Thriving Oceans and “Whaling under the guise of science”
Archive for the ‘Mammals’ Category
The Pacific Walrus
On June - 2 - 2009
In February 2008 the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned to list the Pacific walrus under the Endangered Species Act because of the increasing loss sea ice habitat.
There are 3 recognized subspecies: Atlantic Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus); Pacific Walrus (O. r. divergens); and Laptev Walrus (O. r. laptevi)
The Bering-Chukchi population was estimated at approximately 230,000 in 1985 and 201,000 in 1990, which is the most recent population estimate
The number of Pacific Walrus in the Laptev Sea region was at one time reported to be 4,000-5,000 individuals. Some recent estimates have put the population above 5,000.
Recent information indicates a population size of perhaps 18,000-20,000 for the Atlantic Walrus
Walruses are one of the largest pinnipeds with Pacific males reaching approximately 3.6 meters in length and weighing 880-1,557 kg. Adult females can reach lengths of 3 meters and a weight of 580-1,039 kg. The Atlantic adults are slightly shorter and lighter.
Tigers: Panthera tigris
On May - 6 - 2009
Of the initial 8 recognized subspecies of tiger, 2 (Balinese, Javan) have become extinct and the remaining 6 (Bengal, Indo-Chinese, Sumatran, Siberian/Amur, South China, Malayan) are endangered. As of 2008, approximately 1,400 Bengal tigers are all that remain in the wilds of India and are hanging on to existence via a variety of nature preserves. On the other hand, the Siberian tiger has been reduced to a wild population of 400 to 450 individuals.
The Siberian or Amur tiger has a worldwide captive population just under 500: North American Species Survival Plan population is 150 tigers, European Breeding Program population approximately 225 tigers, Japanese zoos retain about 90 tigers.
As of 1998, an estimated 400 to 500 Sumatran tigers roamed the wilds, but some current numbers suggest as few as 136 tigers are left. The captive population includes 65 Sumatran tigers in Indonesian zoos, 55 tigers in North American zoos, 100 in European zoos, and 12 in Australasian zoos.
The Great Whales
On April - 24 - 2009
There are about 80 species of cetaceans, which includes dolphins, porpoises and whales.
The great whale grouping includes all baleen whales and the toothed sperm whale, and range in size from 30 to 100 feet in length.
In 1994 the International Whaling Commission established a sanctuary in the waters around the Antarctic, which permanently bans whaling. However, a loophole provides exemptions for “scientific research”. As of November 2008, Japan reduced its whale take from 945 minke whales to 750. However, they did not alter their quota of 50 endangered fin whales.
Great Whale Populations (IWC population estimates)
Minke whale - 970,800
Blue whale - 2,300
Humpback whale - 63,600
Fin whale - 33,200
Gray whale - 26,420
Bowhead whale - 11,730
Right whale - 7,800
Pilot whale - 780,000
Bears: The Family Ursidae
On April - 23 - 2009
There are 8 species of bears and numerous subspecies that have been recognized.
Bears vary in size from the 66 pound sun bear to the 1,500 pound brown bear.
Perhaps the most widely publicized symbol of endangered species, the giant panda was limited to only ~1,600 individuals inhabiting the wild bamboo forests in central China and a captive population of about 180 individuals in 2006.
Population of Threatened Bears as of 2007
Polar Bear - 22,000 to 27,000
Spectacled Bear - 18,250
Sloth bear - 10,000 to 20,000+
Asiatic Black Bear - 15,000 to 20,000
Giant Panda - 1,600
Sun Bear - Unknown (it is suspected that the global population of Sun Bears has declined by > 30% over the past 30 years)
Grevy’s Zebra
On April - 14 - 2009
IUCN: Current estimates put the total population of Grevy’s Zebra remaining in the wild in Kenya and Ethiopia at approximately 1,966 to 2,447 (B. Lowe pers. comm. 2008; F. Kebede pers. comm. 2008). From 1988 to 2007, the global population of Grevy’s Zebra declined approximately 55%. The worse case scenario is a decline from 1980 to 2007 of 68%. The number of mature individuals is approximately 750, and the largest subpopulation is approximately 255 mature individuals.
