Environment & Energy
Related: About this forum17 Animals That Became Extinct In Our Lifetime
1. Pinta Island Tortoise, June 24, 2012
The last of his kind, Lonesome George died this weekend in his pen at a research facility. His exact age isn't known, but he was estimated to be over 100.
2. Baiji or Yangtze River Dolphin, 2006
Declared extinct in 2006, a video of what appeared to be a baiji dolphin was taken in 2007. The species is still considered "functionally extinct", meaning that if there is only one of a few old creatures alive, no new ones will be born.
3. Western Black Rhinoceros, 2011
A subspecies of the black rhino that lived mainly in Cameroon, the western black rhino was a victim of rampant poaching, even after protections were issued in the 1930s. Scientists searched for any signs in 2006 and came up empty, and it was offically declared extinct in 2011. The other 3 remaining subspecies of black rhinos are also critically endangered.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/katienotopoulos/17-animals-that-became-extinct-in-our-lifetime
arcane1
(38,613 posts)The global human population literally doubled
SoutherDem
(2,307 posts)I felt this was very sad. But, what was even more sad were those who said "who cares".
I hate to hear of any animal becoming extinct, I know sometimes this happen from natural selection but we human have left out mark on this planet in a way that is criminal.
libinnyandia
(1,374 posts)St. Helena Earwig. Every species that is lost makes this world a sadder place. Exept for right wing Republicans, who I would hope would evolve into leftists.
alittlelark
(18,890 posts)I know we have pics of our meeting somewhere in the piles of photos we need to go through and separate.
He seemed sad (but then most tortoises do).
Farewell.
Sadly, I think that # of 17 (of 'interest') will be multiplied MANY times over in my lifetime at a more rapid rate..
flamingdem
(39,316 posts)I want to go there someday.
So long George
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)They found one a couple years ago!
NRaleighLiberal
(60,018 posts)I am hoping so - but just don't know after reading everything that is out there.
NRaleighLiberal
(60,018 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Well,....I ASSUME it's not still running around out there....