Wildlife Conservation and Threatened Species

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals.

(i) A threatened species is a plant, animal, or other living organism that is becoming rare and that may become in danger of extinction if current trends continue. The international Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) divides threatened species into three categories: vulnerable species, endangered species and critically endangered species. The US National Wildlife federation on the other hand, distinguishes between threatened and endangered species.

(i) In Meghalaya sacred groves represent a long tradition of environmental conservation based on indigenous knowledge by the tribal communities. They are among the few least disturbed forest patches which are serving as the natural treasure house of biodiversity and a refuge for a large number of endemic, endangered and rare taxa. The general term for sacred groves in the Khasi Hills is 'Khlaw Kyntang' or 'Law Kyntang' or 'Law Lyngdoh' while in the Jaintia Hills it is called 'Khloo Blai'. The sacred groves in the Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills District are fundamentally based on the traditional religious belief of the tribals i.e., Khasis and Pnars, which is called Seng Khasi and Niam Tre respectively.

• The Bishnois are a community in India living mostly in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
  
  
• They are renowned for adapting to the harsh conditions of the Thar Desert. This is the example for showing that the biodiversity of Rajasthan’s arid desert can be preserved not by isolating people, but through their active participation.
  
  
• Jambheshwar announced a set of 29 tenets. These were contained in a document called Shabadwani, written in the Nagari script, which consists of 120 shabads. 
  
  
• Of his 29 tenets, ten are directed towards personal hygiene and maintaining good basic health, seven for healthy social behavior, and four tenets to the worship of God.
  
  

Species found only in a particular area are known as endemic. Endemic species are often endangered.

Wildlife conservation refers to the practice of protecting wild plant and animal species and their habitats to ensure their survival and maintain ecosystem balance.

UNESCO MAB i.e., man and biosphere is an intergovernmental scientific program which was launched in order to improve the relation between people and their environment. It provides opportunities for education to improve human livelihood, it promotes the innovative approaches to economic development that are environmentally sustainable. It also includes the preservation of plants and animals under biosphere reserves with the help of human efforts. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Ghana bird sanctuary national park is located in Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. Every year during winters when the temperature in Siberia becomes very low, migratory birds like Siberian crane from Siberia, reach this national park for breeding.

The question is poorly phrased, but in the context of wildlife education, these biological traits are often cited as reasons why tigers are elusive and successful predators, which ironically makes them targets for poachers who value these unique biological features.

There are many reasons to conserve biodiversity, but all equally important. They can be grouped into three categories: narrowly utilitarian (economic benefit), broadly utilitarian (importance in natural ecological balance), and ethical (moral reasons). 

Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest national park in India, is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.

Poachers are individuals who illegally hunt or capture wild animals, often in violation of conservation laws.

In ecology, the word conservation means management and protection of natural resources. Conservation ecology is concerned with the preservation and management of biodiversity and natural resources. 

A naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, which protects species from getting hunted, predated or poached is called as a wildlife refuge. It is also known as a wildlife sanctuary. Being a protected area, it is a geographic territory within which wildlife is protected. Private operations are limited in such areas. Thus, making numerous wildlife sanctuaries will be most helpful.

WWF stands for The World Wide Fund for Nature. Founded back in 1961, it's an international non-governmental organization. Earlier it used to stand for World Wildlife Fund. It works in the field of wildlife preservation, and the reduction of human impact on the environment.

All plants, fungi, and other organisms that grow or live in the wild in an area without being introduced by humans are included under wildlife. A great threat is being possessed to the wildlife due to their excessive habitat destruction. Man, domestic animals, and cultivated crops are not included in the wildlife. Different measures to save wildlife are being adopted.

Project Dodo does not exist, rest three are projects to conserve the respected species. The Dodo is an extinct flightless bird endemic to Mauritius, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. It belonged to the subfamily Raphinae. In 1662, the last sighting of the dodo occurred. There's also a phrase saying "As dead as Dodo".

William Temple Hornaday, Sc.D.  was an American zoologist, conservationist, taxidermist, and author. He served as the first director of the New York Zoological Park, known today as the Bronx Zoo, and he was a pioneer and coined the term wildlife and played a key role in the conservation movement in the United States.

1. people kills the animals are called poachers and hunters as they usually leads to the selling of the killed animal. 
2.  Forest Officer who holds the responsibility to safeguard the forests from illegal cutting and poaching of flora and fauna of the area under his jurisdiction. So option D is correct.
   

• Musk deer belong to the family Moschidae. To obtain deer musk, the deer is killed and its gland also called "musk pod", is removed. They are killed to make a little scent from its musk. Hence Musk deer are killed to make a little scent from its musk.
• A rhinoceros belong to the family Rhinocerotidae Rhinoceros are killed by some humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and used by some cultures for ornaments or traditional medicine. East Asia, specifically Vietnam, is the largest market for rhino horns. Hence Rhinoceros is killed for its horn.
  
• Crocodiles or true crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. They are killed for their skin. Their skin is used to manufacture high-quality leather.
  
• So, the correct answer is 'All the above'.

Study of birds comes under Ornithology.

Madhya Pradesh, is endowed with rich and diverse forest resources. It is a reservoir of biodiversity. The forest area of the state constitutes 31% of the geographical area of the state and 12.44% of the forest area of the country. Legally this area has been classified into reserve forest, protected forest and unclassified forest. One third of the state is forested and offers a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife. In the National parks of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Shivpuri and many other, one has the rare opportunity to see the tiger, the bison and a wide variety of deer and antelope in sylvan surroundings.

Migratory birds fly to far away places because of climatic changes. Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement, often north and south along a flyway for breeding, food availability, habitat and weather. For example, a flock of barnacle geese migrates during autumn.

Migration is usually an annual event in which many animals travel to faraway places in search of food and breeding ground when climatic changes take place in their natural habitat. Many birds from Siberia come to India during winter months.

The habitat of an animal provides it with necessities such as shelter, food, and protection. If the habitat of an animal is disturbed, then it will be forced to go to other places in search of food and shelter. The animal could get killed by other animals in this process and may become extinct in future.

The correct answer is 'warm climate and food'

Monarch butterflies are famous for their multi-generational migration, traveling thousands of miles between North America and Mexico.

The biosphere can be defined as a global ecological system that integrates all living beings and their relationships with other elements of the lithosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. To preserve the biosphere for future generations, one needs to understand the livings things present and how they interact with their environment and the extent to with they are interdependent.

National parks are designated areas that protect entire ecosystems, including the flora, fauna, and physical environment, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity.

As the human population grows, the demand for resources like food, water, and fuel increases, leading to habitat destruction and encroachment on wildlife areas.

In biological and ecological contexts, 'fauna' refers to all the animal life of a particular region or time, while 'flora' refers to plant life.

Extinction is often caused by a combination of factors, including habitat loss (lack of flora), climate change (unfavorable conditions), and extreme weather events (high temperatures).

Threatened species are the species which face the danger of extinction due to the hard survival conditions. Giant tortoise, African elephant, polar bear are some examples of threatened species. Extinct species are species who has died out. Extinction means no more individuals of that species is alive anywhere in the world. Passenger pigeon, black soft-shell turtle, Guam kingfisher are examples of extinct species. Migratory species are those animals that migrate to Australia or pass over Australian waters during their annual migrations. Whales, turtles, Monarch butterfly are some examples of migratory species. 

Endangered species are those species which are at very high risk of extinction. Due to loss of polar bears' habitat which has resulted from climate change, they are considered as an endangered species. Due to habitat destruction and food shortage, giant pandas are also considered as endangered species. Rhinos are considered as endangered species because of rising demand for the horn of rhinos. 

Extinct species are species who has died out. Extinction means no more individuals of that species is alive anywhere in the world. Passenger pigeon, black soft-shell turtle, Guam kingfisher, dinosaurs are some examples of extinct species. Endangered species are species who are at high risk of becoming extinct. Tiger and elephant are endangered species. 

Wildlife Week is celebrated from October 2 to 8 annually in India. For the conservation and protection of the biodiversity, this initiative is given importance. In this week, seminars to bring the more difficult aspects of wildlife conservation are conducted. Biodiversity is also being conserved ex-situ and in-situ.

Situated in Gujarat, Rann of Kutch is also known as the Flamingo city. It houses a great number of beautiful pink flamingos. These birds fly here from central Asia after each monsoon to build their nests, breeding in shifts through the winter and in summer they disappear. It is a major attraction for tourists.

Biodiversity includes the enormous diversity of flora and fauna in the world. A great threat to it is now possessed by the increased rates of destructive activities. Various methods are being adopted by the authorities to conserve the species richness at various levels. If any species gets extinct, the gene pool of that species will be lost. So, the need for conservation of species is to conserve the different genetic resources.

A) Project Tiger is a tiger conservation programme launched on 1 April 1973 by the Government of India.

A) IBWL stands for the Indian Board for Wild Life (IBWL).

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961, which works for wilderness preservation and the reduction of destructive human impact on the environment. Also named as World Wildlife Fund, which is its official name in Canada and the United States till date. The logo has a symbol of the Giant Panda. The logo tries to focus the attention of people towards saving Giant Panda.

• Manas National Park is a beautiful place, located in the two districts Bongaigaon, & Barpeta, in the state of Assam. Manas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, National Park and also a Wildlife Sanctuary.
  
• Manas National Park has recorded the presence of 30 tigers.
  
• Hence Manas- Assam is the correct match of the tiger reserve and its state.
• So, the correct answer is 'Manas- Assam'.

The Keoladeo National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur national park is situated in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. In winters, thousands of migratory birds from Siberia and other extremely cold northern regions move to this park. The birds are called Siberian cranes. Over 230 species of birds are known to be resident. It is a major center of tourist attraction.

• Deforestation, clearance, clearcutting or clearing is the removal of a forest or stands of trees from the land which is then converted to a non-forest use.
• Deforestation results in habitat loss, reduction of prey populations, and direct hunting of tigers.
• Hence Deforestation has an impact on the population of tigers is a True statement.

• Tiger hunting is the capture and killing of tigers.
• There is strong demand for tiger parts in traditional medicine, and for skins for use as home décor, so the tigers are targeted by professional hunters to earn quick money.
  
• Hunters are the biggest threat to tigers as they kill them for their skin because it has high economic value in the market.
• Hence Hunters are the biggest threat to tigers as they kill them for their skin is a true statement.

•  Endangered species is a species which has been categorized as very likely to become extinct in the near future. For example, Amur Leopard, Asian Elephant. ,Black Rhino,snow leopard,etc.
• Their number has decreased drastically and they might become extinct in the near future. Their natural habitat needs to be protected to prevent them from extinction.
  
• They do not pose danger to other animals.
• So, the correct answer is 'Option D'.

Migration of a particular species depends on the climatic conditions available for their survival. The harsh conditions decrease the biodiversity in a particular region while the favorable climatic conditions enrich the biodiversity of a particular region. 

The 'Kaiga Generating Station' (KGS) is a nuclear power plant, located in the Karwar District of Karnataka state in India. Kaiga is now the third largest nuclear plant in India. So, it is not related with wildlife protection.

The 'World Wide Fund for Nature' (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization founded on April 29, 1961, and is working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment. It was formerly named the 'World Wildlife Fund', which remains its official name in Canada and the united states. WWF's giant panda logo originated from a panda named 'Chi Chi' that had been transferred from Beijing zoo to London zoo in 1958, three years before WWF became established. 

Chiru or the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni) is medium-sized bovid which is about 1.2 m in height. Its coat is grey to reddish brown, with a white underside. The Chiru’s wool, known as shahtoosh, is worm, soft and fine. Shahtoosh is very warmest, lightest and most expensive wool. The wool can only be obtained by killing the animal. It is listed as endangered by the world conservation union and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service due to commercial poaching for its wool. 

Migration is used by a number of species, including birds, fish, invertebrates, and mammals, as one strategy for dealing with a seasonally variable environment. In many cases, migration is obligated, but in some species, within a migratory population, only some individuals migrate in a given season (migrants), while the rest remain in the same location (residents), a phenomenon called as partial migration. 

Captive breeding is the process of maintaining plants or animals in controlled environments, such as wildlife reserves, zoos, botanic gardens, and other conservation facilities. It is sometimes employed to help species that are being threatened by human activities. The activities which pose threat include habitat loss, fragmentation, over-hunting or fishing, pollution, predation, disease, and parasitism. The objective of many captive populations is to hold similar levels of genetic diversity to what is found in wild populations.

A) IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

In a reciprocal cross, a male expressing the trait of interest will be crossed with a female not expressing the trait or vice versa. The method can be used for the protection of white lions from getting extinct as some white lions will be produced in the progeny. There are fewer than 12 White Lions in the wilds of their endemic habitat. The need for conserving white lions is extreme now.