Help the Olive Ridley Turtle!

Help the Olive Ridley Turtle!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Olive Ridley Turtle. Weighing 75-100 pounds, the Olive Ridleys have an olive green color. They measure to two feet long, the smallest and most abundant of marine turtles. They maintain the health of coral reefs and sea grass beds. The nutrients of their scat pack to grass beds and reefs. They give safety to seabirds when they rise to the surface by letting them perch on its shell for a while.

          Even though the Olive Ridley is the most abundant, they are still endangered. Their status is vulnerable. Global warming is a contributing factor of their declining population. The temperatures of the nesting areas have risen. This changes the gender of the sea turtles, resulting in more females than males. The warm heat gives fewer places for them to forage for food. Pollution and coastal development always causes problems for marine turtles.

          There are many ways to support the Olive Ridleys. You could:

1. Tell someone
2. Start a petition
3. Clean up beaches and don’t pollute
4. Boycott products made from turtles
5. Use cars less and save electricity

Help the Olive Ridley Turtle!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Loggerhead Turtles. The Loggerheads, or caretta caretta, is a heavy species of marine turtles. They use their strong jaws to crunch their prey, such as sea urchins and clams. In the Mediterranean, their population is abundant, and often times nest in Greece and Turkey. Their species have been on Earth since prehistoric times, about 100 million years. They play an important role in the wildlife cycle. The nutrients from their scat become sediments to the ocean floor and small microorganisms take shelter on their shell. More than 100 species of plants and animals have been found on one shell of a Loggerhead.

          These crucial fellows are disappearing though. They are critically endangered. Although they are not hunted for their meat and shell like other marine turtles, the Loggerhead is endangered because of bycatch. Bycatch is when an unwanted animal is caught in fishing nets used for seafood instead. Every year, about a thousand Loggerheads are caught in nets meant for shrimp. Coastal and human development risks their lives. When baby Loggerheads are hatched, they expect the moon’s light to guide them to the sea. However, city lights bring them the wrong way, and they die. If they don’t die, a person might take them in as a pet, which is illegal. Their nests are disturbed by human activity.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Start a petition
2. Tell someone
3. Clean up beaches and stop pollution
4. If you live on the coast, turn off your lights after 10 PM.
5. If you eat seafood everyday, take a break

Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Leatherback Turtles!

Help the Leatherback Turtle!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Leatherback Turtle. The Leatherback is a heavy turtle. They weigh about 600-1500 pounds and are up to 6 feet long, the largest of their turtle family of the ocean. Unlike other marine turtles, their shells are leather-textured, hence their name. They migrate across the oceans, Atlantic and Pacific. They are vital for the ecosystem because of their consummation of jellyfish, balancing the jellyfish population. They attract tourists, which promotes ecotourism.

          However, their population is no longer stable. They are critically endangered, and are the world’s most endangered marine turtle species. Because plastic appears like jellyfish, these turtles might accidentally swallow plastic and choke to death. They get caught in fishnets and hooks when migrating across seas. They also are losing their habitat due to human activities and development. The nesting areas are being disturbed through vehicles and activity. Tens of thousands of eggs are being collected as a hobby. In fact, in Southeast Asia, it is legal to collect their eggs and sell them. Now, the Leatherbacks are locally extinct in Indonesia.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Start a petition
2. Tell someone or write an article for the newspaper
3. Start cleaning up beaches, or better yet, anywhere.
4. Boycott products made from Leatherbacks, such as eggs.
5. Don’t disturb their homes, like nests or coral reefs.

Help the Leatherback Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Green Turtle!

Help the Green Turtle!

        Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Green Turtle! Chelonia Mydas is a marine reptile turtle that lives in the coral reefs around the world and the Galapagos Islands. From 150-400 pounds, they measure to about 3 feet long. One of the largest marine turtles, they are herbivorous and are named not for the color of their shell, but because of their green cartilage and fat. They are found in tropical or subtropical waters of the sea, and are one of the most admired turtles in the world.

          But soon, they will no longer be on this Earth. They are endangered and their population is decreasing. Bycatch is one major cause of their risk. Bycatch is when an unwanted animal is caught in fishnets and hooks solely for the capturing of seafood. Green Turtles migrate across the ocean to nest their eggs. They are frequently caught in fishnets and gillnets for these occasions. Because of human activity, the beaches needed for their nests are being taken or damaged. Sea grass beds, the Green Turtle’s main food source, are in danger of sedimentation and pollution. Green Turtles and their eggs are being harvested for various reasons. All these contributing factors are making the Green Turtles disappear.

          But there are many way for you to help. You could:

1. Start a petition and get people to sign it
2. Tell someone
3. Boycott Green Turtle eggs or other products
4. Clean up beaches and avoid damaging their nests
5. Abstain from seafood for a while (optional)

Help the Green Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Dwarf Chameleon!

Help the Dwarf Chameleon!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the endangered dwarf chameleon. Brookesia exarmata is the scientific name for the dwarf chameleon, the world’s smallest reptile. Like many other chameleon species, the dwarf chameleon can blend into its background with its adaptation of camouflage. Its beige-brown skin color hides it well in the background of leaves. These animals are from West Madagascar, taking a habitat close to the ground in vegetation.

          Because its only region is that area in Madagascar, they are endangered. The main reason for their declining population is the removal of their habitat. Their participation in the exotic pet trade also gives them a threat. Many people don’t know how to care for wild animals, and most certainly would not know how to care for a dwarf chameleon.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Spread the word
2. Start a petition
3. Prevent the buying and selling of dwarf chameleons in the exotic pet trade
4. Although extremely rare, you may find dwarf chameleons in your backyard. If so, it is best to contact an animal service and notify them.

Help the dwarf chameleons!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Crisp Pillow Coral!

Help the Crisp Pillow Coral!

Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the crisp pillow coral. The crisp pillow coral has an unusual look to it. Because of their intricate ridges around their round shape, they look much like a human brain (not to confuse with brain coral). They live in colonies together and grow up to twenty centimeters tall. What makes the crisp pillow coral so unique is that it is the only species in its genus (Anomastraea). Their polyps have many small tentacles that grab for food around them in the water. Their range is around the East coast of Africa, a small coastal area around Southern Asia, around some small islands and Madagascar, and waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula.

Despite its brilliant uniqueness, the crisp pillow coral is endangered. Currently, the IUCN declared it vulnerable. Reasons for its increasing disappearance is all because of global warming, a man-made issue.  The rising heat causes coral bleaching, which means vital algae for the colonies is taken away. Now, the corals are vulnerable to harmful diseases. Destructive storms caused by climate change damages the coral reefs, leaving only few to survive. Pollution, fishing, human activity, and invasive species introduced by people also participate in the declining population. A species of starfish preys primarily on the crisp pillow coral because of loss of other coral reefs, due to climate change and global warming.

However, there are many ways for you to help. You could:

1. Spread the word. Tell people about the crisis.
2. Stop polluting the earth. Use less fossil fuel and save electricity.
3. If you snorkel/reef often, try not to damage the coral reefs.
4. Start a petition and get people to sign it.

Help the crisp pillow coral!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL 

Help the Killer Whales!

Help the Killer Whales!

    Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the killer whales. Killer whales, or orcas, are actually in the dolphin group, but still are whales (because the suborder with dolphins belong in the whale order). These orcas are what many people consider majestic, but many people still believe that these gentle creatures are murderers, and no they do not randomly attack. Since the killer whale is a large species, they have a large diet. The organisms in their food include squids, seals, seabirds, and sometimes, whales. Each pod of killer whales have a distinct communication call, so a mother killer whale can easily contact back with her baby.

    Currently, it is unsure by scientists if the orca whale is endangered. However, it is believed by some that their population is decreasing and they one day will be extinct. The main reasons of a declining population would be most likely habitat loss and decrease in food source. The habitat loss is likely to be cause by pollution because of human activities. The trash we give out pollutes the ocean, making it sometimes unable to live in. The food source also can be because of climate change, again, caused by humans. The warmth of the ocean waters can cause some organisms to migrate to different areas of the ocean, which causes some of the prey that the killer whale depends on to migrate also. Soon, they would have no more food left.

    There are many ways for you to help. You could:

1. Spread the word. Tell someone.
2. Start a petition and get people to sign it.
3. Stop using so much fossil fuel. Try walking or biking for a change.
4. Pollute less and start picking up more trash.

Help the killer whales!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Polar Bears!

Help the Polar Bear!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping polar bears. Polar bears are the largest carnivorous mammal living on the earth, meaning that they are the largest mammal that eats meat on lives on land. The polar bear, or Ursus Maritimus, lives in arctic regions of the Earth, including Alaska, Northern Canada, Norway, and the North Pole.

          Polar bears are adapted to such freezing temperatures. These polar bears have tiny ears, which is a benefit because it makes them harder to see in the snow and it’s harder for them to freeze off. They don’t necessarily need to hear for predators, since they’re the highest on the food chain, but they can still sense for other animals because of their keen sense of smell. Their paws have a rough pad underneath them, which helps them hunt more efficiently and swim easily. They also aid these bears spread their weight on ice so they don’t fall in the water, and to grip the ice around them.

          However, these polar bears won’t be seen more often in the future. Because of humans, their environment is disappearing. The burning of fossil fuels caused by people is the main reason why these polar bears are soon to be extinct. The use of automobiles and electricity is why these poor animals are dying away. The greenhouse gases caused warms the Earth’s climate, and the temperatures in the Arctic regions rise. The ice would melt, and polar bears wouldn’t have a place to live anymore.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1.     Spread the word.

2.    Start a petition and get people to sign it.

3.    Stop using so much fossil fuel. Cars, computers, and light bulbs use fossil fuel. Try walking or biking to short distances for a change.

4.    Plant more trees to spread oxygen instead of more carbon dioxide.

 

Help the polar bears!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Panda!

Help the Panda!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping pandas. The panda lives in the deep mountainous forests of Southwest China of the Yangtze Basin. They are easily recognized because of their black and white body with their dark patches around their eyes. The panda is a peaceful creature of the bear family, and is China’s pride. Their diet mainly consists of bamboo stalks and they eat most of the day. This species of animal is very big, even though when they are born the baby is about the size of a stick of butter. Their height reaches four feet high and weigh to about 200-300 pounds.

          However, the panda is disappearing fast. According to IUCN, the panda is currently endangered. They have a high risk factor of becoming extinct in the near future! Pandas are essential for the ecosystem of the forests in China. They spread seeds around when they eat and attach to their fur, and they fall off soon to reach the earth. Without bamboo in the forests, other species of animal will also soon die out too. The panda is also necessary of China’s economy by attracting tourists to see them in the national parks. Their forests are being cut down for railroads and roads, separating the population and decreasing the chances to mate. Deforestation of the bamboo also takes away their diet. Poaching is also a major problem when a poacher accidentally shoots a panda when instead aiming for a different animal.

          There are so many ways to help the pandas. You could:

1. Spread the word and tell people.
2. Donate to preserves or organizations that help pandas.
3. Boycott products that use bamboo.
4. Start a petition. Get people to sign it.

Help the Panda!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Orangutan!

Help the Orangutans!

    Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the orangutan. Kristine, as the writer, is very excited to write about her favorite animal. Orangutans are found in Malaysia and Indonesia, including the island of Sumatra and Borneo. They live in the rainforests’ trees in most of the time in their lives. Their beautiful mahogany-red fur distincts the orangutans’ looks. They are the largest arboreal ape mammal, not monkey. Orangutans are not monkeys because apes have tails, are larger, and have bigger chests. They can carry their 200 pound weight with their large arms. They are highly intelligent and alike humans in so many ways. In fact, it has recently been discovered that orangutans share about 95% of humans’ genes. “Orangutan” (derived from “orang hutan”) means “man of the forest” in the Malay language. They are solitary except for the time females care for their babies. Their diet consists mainly of fruits like durian (a stinky but delicious fruit), wild plum, figs, rambutan (a hairy-like fruit with red on the outside but squishy and white in the inside), mangosteen (a strange-looking whitish fruit), and jackfruit (yellow and large). They also eat certain insects like termites and parts of some plants. Orangutans get their water supply by drinking through holes in the trees and sleep on vegetational made nests in treetops. Most adult males have flanges, which are large cheek pads that rounds their face. However, some males don’t have flanges, looking like an adult female. There are two species of orangutans: the Bornean and the Sumatran. They differ a bit in characteristics and behavior. Borneans have less facial hair than the Sumatran and larger cheek flanges. They also walk down on the forest floor, which is difficult for orangutans to do because of their short legs and incredibly large arms. Sumatrans also have more social bonds.

    Both the Bornean and Sumatran orangutans are declining. The Bornean is endangered and the Sumatran is critically endangered. They matter to the world because when they eat the fruits, they also eat the seeds. In their feces they decompose the seeds, spreading around on the soil. If orangutans disappear, many tree species will disappear too. Their habitat is also being taken away. The demand in the world’s commerce of palm oil has endangered these creatures. In many food products such as certain brands of mayonnaise, some lotions, and some companies of greek yogurt, palm oil is found. Palm oil is one of the most cheapest oils to be developed, and many product companies try to hide the fact by putting in the ingredients something different, like “glyceryl stearate” or “vegetable oil”. Palm oil originates from the plant the oil palm. The oil palm grows the best in rainforests, so the trees are being cut down to make space for oil palm plantations. More and more palm oil plantations are being formed, and less trees are growing to help the orangutans. Note: palm kernels, palm kernel oil, or anything that has the word “palm” is most likely from oil palms. You’d be surprised how much products you have in your house that has the ingredients “palm oil”. Since they’re big and slow, they are shot in retaliation. They are also shot when they come to farms and accidentally damage the crops. Baby orangutans are also taken as exotic pets by shooting the mothers and taking the babies into the exotic pet trade. Even though laws are passed to illegalize exotic pet trade, people still do so secretly in the black market. In Indonesia, orangutan skulls are also traded in the black market. Orangutans are also being hunted as bushmeat, or “gourmet” food.

    You can always help the orangutans. You could:

1. Spread the word. Tell people about the orangutans.
2. Start a petition. Get people to sign it.
3. Donate to organizations that help orangutans.
4. Boycott against the exotic pet trade.
5. Sparingly use paper.
6. Try not to use palm oil or products with ingredients from the oil palm.
7. Boycott skull trading.
8. Go against bushmeat.
9. Support zoo programs that help orangutans.

HELP THE ORANGUTANS!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Elephant!

Help the Elephant!

    Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the elephants. The elephant is one of the most well-known animals of the world. Their remarkable huge bodies, tusks, and tree trunk-like legs make them more likeable. There are two types of the elephant: the African and Asian elephant. They look alike, but there are many features that differ between them. The African elephant has larger ears than the Asian and only the males have tusks. The Asian elephant has a significant bump on their head and both female and male have tusks. Elephants attract tourists to Africa to see the beautiful wild animal creature.

    Elephants are vital to the ecosystem. They eat the seeds of about ⅓ of all the tree species in their area. They spread the seeds around in their feces and helps the soil, enriching the dirt with minerals and nutrients for the plants. They trek through the savannas and forests, helping the wildlife.

    However, these animals are disappearing. They are being poached for their tusks, also known as ivory. For many years, the government has tried to stop illegal poaching, but the process still goes on today. The ivory is sold in black markets to make jewelry. The African elephant is currently vulnerable and the Asian elephant is endangered. The Asian elephant has four subspecies, and all of them are threatened in the wild. Human development is causing habitat loss, which is taking up their food, the vegetation. Roads and canals are replaced instead of trees. Conflict brings out when an elephant is seen in civilization and elephants or people can be hurt. They are also being captured for timber use and males without tusks have a low breeding chance.

    You can always help the elephant. You could:

1. Spread the word. Tell people about it.
2. Donate to organizations that help elephants.
3. Start a petition and get people to sign it.
4. Boycott ivory and advocate against it.
5. Stop riding elephants for tourist attraction.

Help the elephant!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Bighorn Sheep!

Help the Bighorn Sheep!

Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Bighorn sheep. The Bighorn sheep are known for their great ability to climb high, rocky regions and keep their stability to this adaptation. They have “big horns”, just as their name suggests, which are only found males. These North American animals travel in herds that carry about five to fifteen sheeps in amount. Their diet consists of North American plants, such as the willow and  rabbit brush, while the Bighorn sheep that live in the heated deserts of North America eat certain plants such as cacti.

While there are some animals that prey on Bighorn sheep, that isn’t the major problem this species has to face. Habitat loss is a contributing factor to the declining population of the Bighorn sheep. Domesticated sheep takes up their environment. These farm sheep eat most of the food available for the wild species of sheep and  spread pneumonia, a disease that makes breathing difficult.

There are many ways to help the Bighorn sheep. You could:

1. Spread the word. Tell people you know about Bighorn sheep.
2. Donate to organizations that help this species.
3. “Adopt” the Bighorn sheep at:  http://www.defenders.org/bighorn-sheep/what-you-can-do
4. Start a petition and get people to sign it.

Help save the Bighorn sheep!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

 

Help the Grey-Crowned Crane!

Help the Grey-Crowned Crane

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the Grey-Crowned Crane. The Grey-Crowned is a bird found in the African countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Congo. They have long black legs and their body has gray, black, white, and a golden yellow. It leads to a slender neck with what looks like a red gobble. They have a white cheek and a sharp black beak. But their appearance is most notable with their “crown”. Like a plume on a helmet, it fancies a yellow glitter and a majestic crown-like top. The Grey-Crowned Crane enjoys eating seeds, the tips of grasses, groundnuts, soybeans, and other various types of plants. They also enjoy tiny vertebrates and bugs. They can be heard by their loud honking sounds they make.

          The Grey-Crowned Crane is currently endangered because of human development. They are sometimes captured and traded in illegal process and habitat loss contributes to their declining population. These cranes are also indirectly poisoned by chemicals. Also, the wetlands that these birds live on are lost because of overused pesticides, drainage, too much livestock, and power line collisions.

          There are many way to help these beautiful birds. You could:

1. Spread the word and tell people
2. Start a petition and get people to sign them.
3. Donate to the International Crane Foundation to help them.

Help the Grey-Crowned Crane!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Spix's Macaw!

Help the Spix’s Macaw

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Spix’s Macaw. This specific bird is beautiful with blue colored feathers, soon descending into white the higher the body gets. Their small silver-colored head has a sharp, black beak. They live in the Northern woodlands in Brazil. They live to about twenty-thirty years in the wild and forty years in captivity. Their main diet is based on seeds, which takes 95% of their food. The Spix’s Macaw is not very talked much and no so popular like the panda or the cheetah. But they are still important to the ecosystem and would be a great loss if this bird goes extinct.

          It is thought to be extinct in the wild by scientists, studies show that small areas where the land has not been surveyed may contain the habitats of a few remaining Spix’s Macaws. Right now, since there is a possibility that there is a scarce population of these birds, it is now stated critically endangered (or possibly extinct in the wild). The cause of their near extinction is because of habitat loss. Also, people are keeping these animals as exotic pets and are still to this day sold in the black market.

          There are ways to help the Spix’s Macaw. You could:

1.     Tell people about them. Not a lot of people know about this species of bird.

2.    Start a petition and get people to sign it.

3.    Boycott the black market.

4.    Donate to charities that help this species of bird.

Help the Spix’s Macaw!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Golden-Cheeked Warbler!

Help the Golden-Cheeked Warbler

         

          The golden-cheeked warbler is a species of bird with the scientific name Dendroica Chrysoparia. This bird is a small size and has a gray and black body with a golden-yellow cheek. They inhabit Texas but migrate south to Mexico and Central America during winter to feed on insects and spiders found in the bark of the trees in the habitat. Particularly to farmers, the golden-cheeked warbler is important to them because they feed on insects and improve the ecosystem.

          Thanks to habitat loss, the golden-cheeked warbler is currently endangered. The trees they need to nest in are cut down for human development. Other warbler habitats are flooded by man-made lakes and cut down for flat land for livestock. Global warming also takes a toll in the participation of their endangerment. The irregularly warm climate confuses them about their migration patterns, which causes them to lay their eggs too early, risking life for the warbler chicks.

          There are many ways to help this bird. You could:

1. Spread the word.
2. Start a petition and get people to sign it.
3. Try to stop causing so much greenhouse gases. Don't use cars as much or consume electricity so much.
4. Plant more trees to prevent so much carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas)
5. Donate!

Help the golden-cheeked warbler!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Poison Dart Frog!

Help the Poison Dart Frog!

         

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the poison dart frog. The poison dart frog is an animal in the amphibian group. This extraordinary creature lives in the rainforests of South and Central America. They live on the forest level of rainforests but breed in the trees. Their outer skin has two different colors. They can range from many different colors. For example, the red and black poison dart frog is called a strawberry poison dart frog. The color warns their predators of the high amount of poison they carry. They four toes have suction cups, which are used to cling onto plants in the habitat that they live in.

          Poison dart frogs are threatened and are soon going to be endangered. These delicate frogs are used as exotic pets and because of habitat loss, they are losing their homes. These poor animals must have a chance at survival in this world.

          There are ways to help the poison dart frog. You could:

1. Spread the word
2. Start a petition and get people to sign it.
3. Donate to organizations that help animals. Example: SOS (save our species)
4. Adopt (actual frog not included) a tree frog at

http://www.worldanimalfoundation.net/chooseanimal/Adopt_A_Tree_Frog.html

Help save the poison dart frog!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Amur Leopard!

Help the Amur Leopard!

Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the Amur Leopard. The Amur Leopard is not well-known around the world, but is still important to the world’s ecosystem. They are found in Far East Russia, and can do amazing talents, like jumping high and running fast. They live in the temperate forests and weight about 70-100 pounds.

Unfortunately, the Amur Leopard is critically endangered. That means that pretty soon in the near future, the Amur Leopard will be extinct in the wild. This subspecies of leopard benefits the ecosystem in many weights. They prey mainly on deer, which is good because the deer population wouldn’t increase too much, crowding the habitat and preventing other species of plants and animals to live there. The Amur Leopard is poached for their beautiful coat of spots and suaveness. Also, habitat loss causes the leopards to lose a home. Their population is declining quickly, and needs our help. And without food, they would target livestock, provoking farmers to shoot them.

How can you help? You could:

1.      Donate. The WWF helps the Amur Leopard.

2.      Start a petition. Get people to sign it.

3.      Boycott Amur Leopard products. The leopard’s bones are used as Chinese medicine and their furs are used as unnecessarily over-achieving fashion.

Help the Amur Leopard!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the African Wild Dog!

Help the African Wild Dog!

The African wild dog. Seems pretty self explanatory to me: a wild dog residing in the regions of Africa. 

Lycoan pictus, or the African wild dog, doesn't completely resemble dogs, even though its name seems to associate it with canines. In fact, the differences among regular, ordinary dogs and the African wild dog even span across physical appearances. One of the most important physical differences is that while normal dogs have five toes on each foot, the African wild dog only has four on each. Strange, but true.

In a way, somebody might argue that the African wild dog is more similar to the wolf rather than the dog. These reasons would most likely be based on the African wild dog's social structure. Just like wolves, African wild dogs travel in packs led by a pair of "leaders" from among the tight knit group. The pack will hunt antelope and other wild beasts, even sometimes livestock, together. To be successful in keeping away from danger and gaining food in order to survive, these wild dogs will communicate through touching, their movements, and sound.

The African wild dogs use to hunt in larger groups, but because much of their species has been slipping away off the face of Earth, they are decreasing in pack size. Much of this is due to habitat loss. Yet, they are also killed by farmers, who are scared that the dogs will feed on their livestock. One other factor to their disappearance is their chance of receiving diseases from domestic animals. 

Instead of just standing there and allowing the last of the African wild dogs to dwindle down into nothing, we can all participate in the preservation of these unique creatures. You can donate to the African Wildlife Foundation. Your donation will spread awareness of the African wild dog's status in the wild and promote the solving of conflicts between humans and African wild dogs. With your aid, we can all benefit the African wild dog and allow it to strive for many forthcoming generations!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Komodo dragon!

Help the Komodo dragon!

          Hello, this is IGL and this topic is about helping the Komodo dragon. The Komodo dragon is always killed because of fear of the lizard to attack. The IUCN claims that the Komodo dragon is vulnerable. Their population is decreasing because of habitat loss, natural disasters, and poaching. Trading of the animal and skin is illegal. Although natural disasters could not be stopped, you could stop poaching and habitat loss.

          They are also captured from the wild and brought to zoos for exhibit. They have a short lifespan and they would die early due to the habitat they are not used to. There are many ways to help the Komodo dragon. You could:

1. Donate to a foundation that helps Komodo dragons
2. Avoid products made from Komodo dragon
3. Spread the word
4. Start a petition

Help the Komodo dragon!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Gorillas!

Help the Gorillas!

          Hello, this is IGL. Another of our projects is to help the gorillas. Cristina is really hyped about this one since her animal is the gorilla. The gorillas live in Africa. They are all threatened by many reasons.

         First, they are killed by bush meat. Bush meat is when people kill and eat endangered animals. All these animals are sold in markets to eat and end up in bellies.

          Second, their homes are being chopped down. Trees are cut down and gorillas don’t have any place to stay.

          Third, there is a disease called the Ebola virus. The virus kills gorillas and their population has decreased over the days.

          And lastly, people poach the gorillas. Poaching is when people kill animals illegally and trade the animal parts in black markets and illegal trade.

          Many gorillas are dying every day, and the population has been declining over the years. They also live in small places of Africa and they all need some help. To help, you could:

1. save paper and recycle
2. Don’t poach, buy illegal parts, or buy bush meat
3. and (this probably will be a long shot) but ask the government to help find a cure for the Ebola Virus or do something about it

The gorillas need your help!

-Idea+Gift=Love