Delightful Dolphins

Dolphins are extraordinarily intelligent marine mammals and one of the most iconic species of the marine world. Here are just a few more interesting facts about these fantastic species:

Source: HD Animal Wallpapers

 ·         Dolphins are part of the family of toothed whales that includes orcas and pilot whales.

·         Their coloration varies, but are normally grey in colour with darker backs than the rest of their bodies.

·         There are 43 different species of dolphins that have been recognized.

·         The body of a dolphin is designed to help them move through the water quickly and without exerting huge amounts of energy. They rely on their pectoral fins and the fluke (tail) to help them navigate through the water.

·         Echolocation allows them to communicate in the water by identifying sound waves. It is a complex ability that stems from the melon that is located in the head of a dolphin.

·         Dolphins have very good vision, and they are able to see what is around them both in the water and when they are above the surface of it.

·         They have excellent hearing with the ability to hear about 10 times better than humans.

·         The sense of smell isn’t well developed for them though.

·         The sense of touch is very sensitive for dolphins and they use it for bonding within their pods.

·         They rely on a combination of their senses to avoid danger, to find food, and to socialize.

·         The name dolphin comes from the word womb, and it is believed to be the Greek saying for fish with a womb.

·         The young are called calves

·         The female adults are cows.

·         The male adults are bulls

·         A group of them is often called a pod.

Diet
·         Dolphins are carnivores

·         They consume an assortment of prey including fish, squid, and crustaceans.

·         They use echolocation to find prey and often hunt together by surrounding a school of fish, trapping them, and taking turns swimming through the school and catching fish.

·         Dolphins will also follow seabirds, other whales, and fishing boats to feed opportunistically on the fish they scare up or discard.

·         Even though dolphins have 100 teeth, they don’t use them for eating. They do use them to get the fish though and then they swallow them. They can consume up to 30 pounds fish per day.

·         They do what is necessary to get the food for the pod members. It can include jumps, zig zag patterns, circles, and a combination of efforts.

·         With an exceptionally high fat content, dolphin and other cetacean meat provides great nutrition for predators who stalk.

Size

The larger ones can weigh about 11 tons and be close to 30 feet long. The smaller ones are about 90 pounds and 4 feet long. Between those two spectrums you will find all weights and lengths. The species as well as their location play a huge role in their overall size.

Range

·         They are found typically in shallow seas of the continental shelves.

·         Most species live in shallow areas of tropical and temperate oceans.

·         Five species live in the world's rivers.

·         Most of the species of dolphins live in saltwater but there are some that are able to do well in the freshwater locations.

·         They are mainly found in the freshwater of the Amazon River.

·         They tend to live in the shallow water by the coast and they tend to live in warmer locations.

Behaviour

·         Dolphins are well known for their agility and playful behaviour

·         Many species will leap out of the water and spy-hop (rise vertically out of the water to view their surroundings). Some of them leap up to 30 feet in the air.

·         Dolphins live in social groups of five to several hundred.

·         They have to come to the surface to for water at different intervals to get air. This can be from 20 seconds to 30 minutes between when they get air.

·         They are curious.

·         To prevent drowning while sleeping only half of the dolphin’s brain goes to sleep while the other half remains awake so they can continue to breathe!

·         They form strong bonds within their pod.

·         They have been known to help humans in a variety of circumstances including rescues and with fishing.

·         Dolphins are extremely social creatures and actually seem to depend on this interaction while hunting, mating, and defending themselves and their pods.

Reproduction

·         Mating Season: Throughout the year, though in some areas there is a peak in spring and fall.

·         Gestation: 9-17 months depending on the species. When it is time to give birth, the female will distance herself from the pod, often going near the surface of the water.

·         Number of offspring: Usually one calf; twins are rare.



Source: PC Wallpapers

·         As soon as the calf is born, the mother must quickly take it to the surface so it can take its first breath. The calf will nurse from 11 months to 2 years, and after it is done nursing it will still stay with its mother until it is between 3 and 8 years old.

·         Dolphins give birth to live young, and nurse them with mammary glands, though it boggles the mind to imagine nursing underwater.

 

Some Dolphin Species include:

·         Bottlenose Dolphin

Source: Ask.com

·         Spinner Dolphin

·         Striped Dolphin
 

·         Chinese White Dolphin

·         Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Source: Arkive

 

·         Clymene Dolphin

·         Commerson’s Dolphin

·         Common Dolphin

Source: Dolphin Destination

 

·         Dusky Dolphin

·         Fraser’s Dolphin

·         Hector’s Dolphin

Source: Earth Race Conservation

·         Indo Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

·         Pacific White Sided Dolphin

·         Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

·         Risso’s Dolphin

Source: Arkive

 

·         Rough Toothed Dolphin

·         Irrawaddy Dolphin

Source: Worldwildlife

·         Pilot Whale

·         Killer Whale

Source: National Geographic

·         River Dolphins

References

http://www.dolphins-world.com/types-of-dolphins/

http://www.dolphins-world.com/dolphin-information/

http://www.dolphins-world.com/

http://www.defenders.org/dolphin/basic-facts

http://www.dolphins-world.com/dolphin-conservation/

Theme for Earth Day 2016: Trees for the Earth

The theme of this year's Earth Day is: Trees for the Earth. 

Earth Day is annually celebrated on 22 April. It marks an important environmental day that is celebrated all over the world. The Earth Day Network aims to plant 7.8 billion trees. The organisation notes that "trees will be the first of five major goals we are undertaking in honor of the five-year countdown to our 50th anniversary". These positive initiatives will impact the environment which will ultimately lead to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet for all.

There are several reasons why trees were chosen, mainly because (Earth Day Organisation 2016):

• Trees help combat climate change. They absorb excess and harmful CO2 from our atmosphere. In fact, in a single year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced by driving the average car 26,000 miles.
• Trees help us breathe clean air. Trees absorb odours and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
• Trees help communities. Trees help communities achieve long-term economic and environmental sustainability and provide food, energy and income.

Source: www.lynchburgparksandrec.com

Reference
The Earth Day Network. Available from: http://www.earthday.org/earth-day/earth-day-theme/#sthash.o31ffYg6.dpuf

Celebrating World Water Day

World Water Day is annually celebrated on the 22^nd of March. Water is such a valuable resource and this important day is celebrated to raise vital awareness that all people must use water sparingly to take future generations into account, too. It expands people’s knowledge about the importance of water and other related issues to make an invaluable difference. The spotlight is placed on the importance of freshwater while simultaneously encouraging freshwater resources to be sustainably managed.

It commenced in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). A theme is chosen each year by UN-Water relating to either a current or future challenge that we are facing right now or will in the future. This year’s theme is: Better water, better jobs. Approximately 1.5 billion people work in sectors relating to water. Water plays an instrumental role in creating and supporting jobs.

 

Here is the official World Water Day video:

 

Water is not only important for drinking and for good health, it is also vitally important for comprehensively supporting economic, social, and human development. One of the most powerful way to contribute to this important day is to raise your voice on social media by using the hashtags #WaterisWork and #WorldWaterDay.

 

 Source: UN-Water

 

“You never miss the water till the well runs dry” is a very true and relevant idiom.



Source: How stuff works

References:

http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/background.shtml

http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/about/en/

http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/

Facts about Fantastic Forests

Here are a few interesting facts about forests:

·       Forests cover about one third of the world’s land mass.

·       Forests provide an array of ecological, economic, social and health benefits and are essential for meeting people’s needs.

·       Forests act as natural water filters.

·       Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects.

·       They provide shelter, jobs, and security for forest-dependent communities. Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood, food, fiber, water, fuel, shelter, and income.

·       It provides clean air and water and regulate the climate. Contributing to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the air.

·       They help to tackle climate change.

·       Deforestation continues at an alarming rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually, an area roughly the size of England.

·       Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

·       Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75 percent of the world’s accessible freshwater

·        Healthy forests are critical for building resilience—the ability to bounce back from storms and other natural disasters.

·       Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

·       Forests minimize soil erosion on site, reduce sediment in water bodies and trap or filter water pollutants in the forest litter.

 

References:

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/

http://www.un.org/esa/forests/outreach/international-day-of-forests/2016-celebration/index.html

http://www.un.org/esa/forests/news/2015/03/forests-essential-for-meeting-peoples-needs-and-tackling-climate-change/index.html

https://globaldimension.org.uk/calendar/event/7137

Forest-related Quotes

In honour of celebrating International Day of Forests, here are a few important forest-related quotes:

 

 

 

International Day of Forests

Today International Day of Forests is celebrated all over the world. This year’s theme is “Forests and Water”. It is celebrated globally to raise awareness about the importance of all forests not only for current generations but also for future generations’ benefit. It also places a spotlight on deforestation and how it can effectively be dealt with.



Source: Discover the Forest Organisation

Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass which comprise vital functions globally. Forests play an important role in sustaining and protecting us; they are the lungs of our planet; they are essential for life and survival providing valuable goods and services; and are important in supplying freshwater for our planet.



Source: WWF International

Here is a short video about this important day:

Please follow the following link to participate in a quiz to find out how much you truly know about forests: http://www.fao.org/zhc/detail-events/en/c/280085/

Examples of what you can do on World Wildlife Day

This year there is also a greater focus on social media and the power thereof because it plays an important role on raising awareness to educate people about this vital environmental day. This will ensure the protection of wildlife daily. Showing your support by supporting is very easy; including

·         Use your computer or phone to digitally spread the message. This will ensure that more people are reached and they, too, will be aware of this important day. Use the hashtags #WWD2016; #InOurHands; #WorldWildlifeDay.

 

·         Make use of the WWD logo as widely as possible.

·         Make use of the following official posters to commemorate this day:

 

 

·         Visit a zoo, a museum, a botanical garden or a national park.

·         Launch a new campaign linked with the World Wildlife Day.

·         Talk about wildlife in schools and universities.

·         Organize wildlife photo exhibitions.

·         Supporting your local conservation projects.

·         Put up wildlife exhibits.

·       Collaborate with local zoos, conservation centres, wildlife reserves, museums or botanical gardens and encourage them to celebrate World Wildlife Day.

·        Collect signatures for a “say ‘no’ to illegal wildlife products” campaign.

·         Donate your time. Many organizations and zoos have volunteer programs.

·       Learn more about our planet’s species from experts. Visit the websites of conservation organizations Subscribe to a wildlife magazine and watch nature programmes on TV.

Reference:

http://www.wildlifeday.org/content/get_involved

Wildly Wonderful World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day is internationally celebrated on the 3^rd of March every year. It revolves around raising awareness of our beautiful and divers wild fauna and flora as well as why it is imperative that it must be conserved for future generations. The focus is not only charismatic, majestic species but also the lesser known (but equally important) species. It is specifically celebrated on this day because it marks the day that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted in 1973. CITES have 182 Member States and is a powerful international tool for biodiversity conservation by regulating the trade in wild fauna and flora. .Every year the day is celebrated with a specific theme in mind and this year’s theme is “The future of wildlife is in our hands”, globally focusing on the conservation of African and Asian elephants through the subtheme of “The future of elephants is in our hands”. The theme emphasizes the inextricable link between wildlife, people and sustainable development.

Wildlife has an intrinsic value and contributes to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of sustainable development and human well-being. It is a vitally important day because the world’s wonderful wildlife is facing many challenges including habitat loss, overgrazing, farming, and development. Furthermore, poaching and trafficking in wildlife especially elephants, pangolins, rhinoceros, sharks, tigers and precious tree species of are threats to these species as well.

 

 

 A worrisome and shocking fact is that about 100,000 elephants were estimated to be slaughtered for their ivory between the period 2010 - 2012. Wildlife crime has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.

 

 

Countries and individuals alike around the globe are enthusiastically encouraged to take actions to place greater attention on wild animals and plants from their own countries and commit themselves to conserving these precious species and to protect them from imminent threats as well as to protect their habitat indefinitely. It is the responsibility of each generation to safeguard wildlife for the following generation.   

So, please, join us in this celebration. We all have an imperative role to play to be part of the solution to ensure that adequate wildlife conservation takes place. Together, with our collective conservation actions, we will ensure that these wildly wonderful wildlife will not go extinct, but, conversely, prosper. Please speak for the voiceless. And remember, every day should be Wildlife Day.

"On this World Wildlife Day, I call on all citizens, businesses and governments to play their part in protecting the world’s wild animals and plants.  The actions taken by each of us will determine the fate of the world’s wildlife.  The future of wildlife is in our hands!" - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Website for WWD 2016 is: http://www.wildlifeday.org/

References:

http://www.wildlifeday.org/about

http://www.un.org/en/events/wildlifeday/

https://cites.org/eng