2024 April

SYNTHIFY

April

Endangered Species

SYNTHIFY

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THE IMPACT OF POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRADING ON ENDANGERED SPECIES

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CONSERVATION CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN

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- YEWON PARK

- WOOJIN CHUNG

THE NEVERENDING DILEMMA OF PRESERVING PRECIOUS LIVES - TAKATO IKEDA

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FROM BELOVD TO ENDANGERED, THE DECLINE OF KOREAN FIR TREES

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AI: THE GUARDIAN OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

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UNDERESTANDING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON ENDANGERED SPECIES: A SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE

- SEOYOON WON

- RHIANNA KIM

- JOSEPH LIM

FAMOUS ENDANGERED SPECIES AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO SAVE THEM

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A PLANT THAT HELPS YOU OVERCOME THE PAST: THE ASAIN LIZARD’S TAIL

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- JOHN BHANG

- JIEUN PARK

THE IMPACT OF TROPHY HUNTING ON ENDANGERED SPECIES - ETHAN KIM

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ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

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HARNESSING SATELLITE IMAGING FOR CONSERVATION: A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF PRESERVATION EFFECTS - HARSHITA YANGALASETTY

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DIVING INTO SURVIVAL STRATEGIES: CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAMS

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- IRIS NAM

- AUDREY CHOI

ACTIONS THAT CAN HELP PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES - ELLEN RYU

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YEWON PARK

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THE IMPACT OF POACHING

AND ILLEGAL TRADING ON ENDANGERED SPECIES

THE NECESSITY FOR INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES AND REGULATIONS.

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llegal trade in endangered species means exchanging and selling illegally obtained animal products. Illegal trade and poaching of endangered animals not only affect the survival of already vulnerable animal species more negatively, but also can cause a biological chain reaction that leads to the destruction of other living things that share the same habitats and ecosystems as those animals. Therefore, international action and legislation on these issues are essential. More diverse international laws need to be adopted to effectively cope with the illegal trade phenomenon in which an international criminal network through multiple countries operates.

Illegal trade and poaching of endangered species have increased further in recent years, and the market for rare animal parts has also increased dramatically. This phenomenon has led to it becoming a major international concern. Illegal wildlife trade, which involves crime, has evolved into a very advantageous industry as products are sold at excessive prices, which has led to the heavy price of economic benefits for ecosystems and endangered species.

Let me explain the devastating impact that the illegal trade of endangered species can have. First of all, as the number of endangered animals decreases due to illegal trade, genetic diversity may decrease, which negatively affects biodiversity. The balance of ecosystems may be disrupted as endangered species disappear, and as many organisms are connected to the food chain, it may have a chain-deadening effect on other species living in the same habitat, resulting in negative effects even on humans, which are part of nature.

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Currently, there are many international agreements and agencies for the issue of poaching and illegal trade, as well as non-governmental organizations such as CITES, IUCN, and WWF. However, illegal trade is a complex and large-scale crime that occurs across borders, so it is not easy to control, and there is also a concern that these laws may not be enforced properly in certain countries.

Stronger and more efficient regulations need to be created to address these issues. Rather than each country enforcing laws individually, it will be more effective if multiple countries work together, so countries sharing data together, and using modern tools such as artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring systems, and DNA analysis, which are currently rapidly growing technologies, will greatly help identify and arrest people who commit crimes. In addition, stronger fines and enforcement strategies need to be prepared to reduce the frequency of poaching and wildlife crimes.

In summary, to solve the problem of illegal trade and poaching for endangered species, it is important to be aware of the serious problems that such crimes can bring. Illegal activities have a devastating impact on biodiversity worldwide and destroy the ecological balance. Therefore, it is very important to establish harmonious and international action and regulatory frameworks. This could be resolved by promoting international cooperation, strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement systems, and technological innovation and information sharing.

April 5, 2024 / Yewon Park / ash.yw.park@gmail.com

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WOOJIN CHUNG

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CONSEQUENCE OF HUMAN GREED

ound only in the north of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Sumatran orangutans, currently in critical danger of endangerment, are one of the representatives among the species that are losing their generation due to habitat loss. Humans have increasingly pursued their own development since the industrial revolution, which has erected numerous achievements that contributed to the enlargement in diverse sectors in human culture; however, on the other side of the process through which people have come through, innocent and unimpeachable animals have lost their home. Thus, the balance between social development and respect for animals should be strengthened.

CONSERVATION CHALLENGES One censorious challenge of habitat loss of Sumatran orangutans and its convalescence is the deforestation due to palm oil plantations, logging, and agricultural expansion. According to Rainforest Trust UK, The World Resources Institute reported that more than 2.9 million acres of untouched rainforest were lost in 2018, which is the size of Belgium.Unsurprisingly, the wildlife within this territory had been displaced and the community lost access to natural resources.

When the trees of the rainforest–the main resources of shelter in which the orangutans reside– are unavailable, it will truly be a heartbreaking moment for them . Besides habitat losses of Sumatran Orangutans, another factor that accelerates their extinction is illegal wildlife trade.

Surprisingly, although this activity has been deemed illegal since 1931 under international law, some people still want orangutans as their pets. According to the Orangutan Foundation, there has been numerous cases of motherless orangutan infants being kept as pets after discovered by humans Additionally , the foundation emphasizes that the foremost reason for such cases is the increasing habitat destruction caused by people. Regarding those trying to take orangutan babies via illegal actions and also destroying the orangutans' habitat, it is illogical to expect the stability in orangutan population. Furthermore, orangutan hunting is a concealed issue.

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As explained by the World Wildlife Fund, female Orangutans especially are considered an easy target by hunters, due to their lack of agility and sensitivity. Since their habitats are diminishing, orangutans can't find the food they need and this results in raiding crops in farms. In retaliation for what they did, orangutans get brutally killed. In a way, people are somewhat directly related to the population decrease of orangutans, in an egocentric perspective.

CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION Every problematic cause of the population decline of orangutans start from habitat loss. This solidly demonstrates the need to immediately conserve the Sumatran orangutans’ homes. A perfect first step for this goal would be the strict management of protected areas. National parks are the most sound and secure solutions, since they provide more shielded havens where orangutans’ reproduction can flourish without any interference and threat of activities of humans.

In fact, there are several national orangutan parks located in Indonesia, but since the population crisis is still a proceeding concern, more national parks must be installed in places where orangutans are found. Laws regarding illegal activities towards orangutans should be stringently reinforced as well. The laws function as protective safeguards for orangutans and help alleviate the factors that propel the decline of orangutan population and prevent further degradation.

Additionally, societal efforts such as community-based conservation initiatives, education and awareness Campaigns, and international collaboration and funding will spur the spotlight on securing orangutans from their endangered conditions.

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THE PEOPLE’S PROBLEM According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, endangered species are the ones that meet the following criteria: a group that experienced 50–70% population decrease over 10 years. This is a substantial decline through the years and a substantial crisis at the same time.

Before this phenomenon broke down to this point, we probably didn't necessarily felt the need to pay much attention to it, but now the situation has transmuted completely. In the near future, orangutans may disappear from this world altogether. It’s everyone’s problem now.

In sum, the endangered Sumatran orangutans should be rescued from their crisis promptly. The main cause of this is the habitat loss that emerged due to human’s selfishness for societal development, and now people should reconsider their negligence on Earth’s beautiful nature.

Reinforcements for establishing additional national parks, stringent examination and restrictions for illegal actions, and other societal efforts should be promoted globally . What we have done so far cannot be undone or recovered; therefore, we desperately need collective intelligence to show interest and efforts to solve the overall crisis from now on.

March 30, 2024 / Woojin Chung / boomboysoccer@gmail.com

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TAKATO IKEDA

THE NEVERENDING DILEMMA OF PRESERVING PRECIOUS LIVES: EXPLORING ETHICAL BOUNDARIES IN THE CLONING OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

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ur kids would be begging us to tell them about the majestic roar of a tiger, the elegant pattern of a leopard, and the fierceful horn of a rhino. For us, all of these would exist only in fading memories, and for them, it’ll all just be a fairytale story. We tend to think the word “extinction” has nothing to do with our generation. We think of dinosaurs, mammoths, and all the other ancient creatures that we only see in movies and hear in stories. However, we must face the fact that “extinction” is happening right in front of our eyes. Ecologists estimate that the presentday extinction rate is 1,000 to 10,000 times the background extinction rate. Many animals including tigers, rhinos, eagles, and leopards, which once ruled their own region, are soon to be entirely gone. Today, with the rapid development of science technology, reproductive cloning has been the topic of discussion regarding the preservation of endangered species.

Before we go any further we have to understand what exactly cloning technology is and how it works. According to the National Health Institution, reproductive cloning is defined as the deliberate production of genetically identical individuals. Each newly produced individual is a clone of the original. In simpler terms, it’s the process of generating an identical copy of a biological material for scientific study, such as a piece of DNA or an individual cell. Successful cloning of animals in the past include: Snuppy the dog (2005), Prometea the Horse (2003), and last but not least the famous Dolly the sheep (1996).

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So, how can cloning be helpful for the preservation of endangered species all around the world?

Three main points can be presented. Population restoration, research opportunities, and conservation of ecosystems. Let’s start with population restoration. It’s probably the most cliche yet important reason why reproductive cloning was introduced in the discussion of “endangered species.” Cloning allows for the production of genetically identical species just from a single donor, eventually leading to a rapid increase in the population size. This may be most beneficial to the few species left in the world that are regarded as critically endangered. Cloning also plays a principal role in providing research opportunities for future development in this field. Scientists can now more thoroughly examine the genetic composition of endangered animals thanks to cloning. Researchers can look into the genetic underpinnings of particular features, illnesses, or adaptations that are distinctive to a species. This improves the public’s knowledge on their biology and helps to shape conservation plans. Lastly, cloning can be essential for the conservation of ecosystems. Cloning a single endangered species does not just end with the restoration of that specific species only. With one single species going extinct, the whole ecosystem and the natural food chain can be affected significantly. Ecological networks and complicated food chains depend on endangered species. Through cloning, scientists are able to reestablish disturbed species interactions and ecosystem dynamics, assuring stability of ecosystems, and reintroduce them into their natural environments.

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However, immediate implementation of genetic cloning is also fraught with challenges, particularly in relation to morality. There exists significant opposition from those who raise ethical concerns about its practice. The first issue is the “interference with the natural processes.” We have to admit, the technology of cloning involves the manipulation of genetic material and reproduction outside of natural mating processes. Regarding this specific point, critics argue that such interventions may disrupt natural selection mechanisms and also evolutionary processes. Potentially leading to unintended consequences for species' long-term survival and ecosystem dynamics. Another thing we have to consider is the technology itself. I believe that once we start cloning every endangered species, we won’t be able to control the pace of it. So called the slippery-slope fallacy. The slippery-slope fallacy states that an action will lead to a chain reaction resulting in an undesirable end or ends. Once we apply cloning to endangered species, we would start applying the same to more animals eventually leading to cloning of humans.

March 29, 2024 / Takato Ikeda / takato17706@gmail.com

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SEOYOON WON

FROM BELOVED TO ENDANGERED, THE DECLINE OF KOREAN FIR TREES

HOW THEY ARE AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT CONSEQUENCES THEY WILL BRING TO THE ECOSYSTEM 17

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limate Copernicus stated that January 2024 was the warmest January on record during the recent 30 years. The Earth’s surface temperature in January was 0.7’C higher than the average surface temperature between 1991 to 2020. These days, we can hear news reports concerning climate anomalies across the world and experience intense weather events such as extremely hot summer days or unpredictable hurricanes.

The main cause of climate change is humans. Burning fossil fuels increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and escalates the greenhouse effect, which traps the heat and warms up the Earth. This phenomenon eventually led to climate change and impacted the ecosystem and the species within, which are closely intertwined with the natural environment in terms of habitats or food resources. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) states that more than 44,000 species, including the Wandering Albatross, Palma Stick Grasshopper, Great Hammerhead, and Hawksbill Turtle, are listed to be threatened with extinction.

The Korean fir tree, known for its popularity as Christmas trees, is an evergreen coniferous species native to the high mountains over a thousand meters high in southern South Korea.

However, in 2012, the Korean fir trees were classified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as endangered. As a species sensitive to environmental shifts, Korean fir trees are still declining at an alarming rate due to climate change. Their horizontal roots made them more susceptible to being toppled by extreme weather events such as typhoons and cyclones. Also, Korean fir trees, especially vulnerable to heat, are being desiccated by increased winter temperatures and decreased snow falls due to climate change.

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The largest population is distributed in the Halla Mountain in Jeju Island. From 2017 to 2021, 12,957 Korean fir trees have died in Halla Mountain. Moreover, the distributed area of fir trees has decreased from 648 ha to 606 ha, a decline of about 5% of the total area. One research showed that after the decline of Korean fir trees, the diversity in nutrients within the soil has declined.

Decreased soil diversity has adversely impacted the symbiotic relationship with ectomycorrhizal fungi, an important organism as a source of providing nutrients and facilitating carbon cycles in forest ecosystems. Considering this fact, the entire ecosystem of Halla Mountain could result in biodiversity loss, soil erosion, or reduction in carbon sequestration in the long-term by the decreasing population of Korean fir trees.

Apart from the Korean fir tree, various species across the world are also being threatened by climate change. During recent decades, human activities have consistently raised the global temperature and eventually made this bleak reality. It is impossible to go back to the healthy ecosystem of the past. However, from now on, we should make efforts in terms of policies, civil movements, or technological innovations to slow down the rate of global warming. Climate change has already progressed to a great extent. For our future generations, nations and individuals across the world should be aware of the seriousness of this crisis and prevent further damage to our environment.

19 April 1, 2024 / Seoyoon Won / swon1359@gmail.com

AI: THE GUARDIAN OF ENDANGERED SPECIES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ANALYSING CAMARA-TRAP FOOTAGE TO TACKLE THE EXTINCTION OF SPEICES RHIANNA KIM

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magine being able to save a whole species through the simple act of receiving notifications via email. You would be able to save countless animals from harm while still being able to carry out day-to-day activities. Technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) which can stimulate human intelligence by machines according to TechTarget, has been advancing rapidly and is now considered to be an effective ‘tool’ to tackle one of the leading global issues today: the extinction of wildlife. But, what exactly does it do, how does it work, and are the benefits of AI worth all the controversial issues regarding ethics and accuracy?

HISTORY OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CONVERSING WILDLIFE As indicated by the World Economic Forum, groups of scientists and conservationists first began seeking methods to identify species through utilising AI during the early 2000s. However, the official employment of AI-driven data analysis innovations began throughout the mid-2010s where conservationists applied machine learning algorithms to support the tracking of endangered species. Artificial Intelligence, as of 2024, plays a pivotal role in alleviating the rate of wildlife extinction with the progressive application in monitoring and analysing mass data while recognising various patterns within different habitats (Foyet, 2024). A key innovation that scientists have been utilising for decades is the Camera-Trap Footage.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAMERA TRAPS Camera-trap footage, often referred to as ‘camera traps’, are defined as remote cameras that record footage of different species through being instigated by a combination of movements (Hudspeth, 2021). The camera trap has been around for almost a century being used for multiple purposes ranging from hunting to simply photographing, and is continually developing. A modern camera trap is nothing more than a digital camera linked to an infrared sensor, as shown in Figure 2, which has the ability to track the warmth of moving objects including animals. A movement that is sensed by the camera causes it to fire which records a still or video footage to the memory card to be taken out later on.

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It is often placed in an open area to constantly track a specific habitat for a set period of time (from weeks to months). Through the advancement of technology, multiple researchers at Conservation AI have created technology-based models that can efficiently process footage from camera traps to recognize wildlife species as shown in Figure 3. These researchers and conservationists have constructed a technological platform for instant analysis of footage and data from real-time footage retrieved from camera traps. This has created an extremely convenient alternative to manual identification of species and monitoring footage through replaying videos recorded on memory cards, being able to receive email notifications when a target animal group has been observed in the footage that has been uploaded onto the platform. On the authority of Scientific American, Conservation AI has analysed over 12.5 million footage and identified merely 4 million appearances of individual animals indicating its success. Examples include endangered Uganda based pangolins and orangutans in Malaysia (Scientific American Magazine, 2023).

BENEFITS OF AI IN ANALYSING CAMERA-TRAP FOOTAGE As mentioned by a leading researcher in Conservation AI, Paul Fergus, through employing Artificial Intelligence in analysing footage, time can be saved since the platform is able to process thousands of images on an hourly basis whereas humans are unable to process and identify as many species at the same time. This fast pace of data processing provided by AI benefits multiple species who are in danger of sudden attacks including wildfires, poaching and hunting – allowing conservationists to act up on such issues quickly to prevent harm. In fact, Scientific American stated that Conservation AI has already been able to detect an acting poacher targeting pangolins through utilising the platform to process the footage in real-time.

ETHICAL CONCERNS Despite the undeniable advantages of implementing AI to process data, such systems are full of ethical issues. Given the fact that AI is continually emerging as a powerful tool – unfortunately, even taking over multiple occupations – individuals have voiced out concerns on the consequences for local communities and economies. The convenience and efficiency of Artificial Intelligence is completely capable of taking over traditional, modern methodologies of observing and documenting wildlife i.e. employment of local guides and photographers. The take-over could eventually cause a disempowerment and marginalisation of human knowledge which could negatively influence the living standards of those relying on wildlife related jobs as their main source of income (Ethics of AI in Wildlife Media: HIVO, n.d.).

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Furthermore, individuals have argued against the benefits regarding efficiency of AI, stating that this heavy reliance on technology is prone to human detachment from the natural world. It is emphasised that gaining in-person observations and experiences is crucial to create an intimate relationship with nature as afterall, how are humans supposed to tackle environmental issues including animal extinction if we are so inattentive of nature itself?

FUTURE PROSPECTS It is inevitable for society to prioritise and focus on the benefits of AI over the ethical concerns.

But, to ensure AI can continue to bring many benefits in creating a supportable future, it is crucial to have a steady balance between human responsibility and Artificial Intelligence advancements.

By developing guidelines to establish an even split between the collaboration of citizens and ethical use of technology, AI innovations could significantly contribute to tackling global issues through a positive evolution of technology that will no doubt ensue.

23 April 4, 2024 / Rhianna Kim / rhihyunk@gmail.com

Understanding the Impact of Climate Change on Endangered Species : A Scientific Perspective

JOSEPH LIM

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limate change, the long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, is the epitome of the phrase “slow and steady.” For the last century, this seemingly inevitable phenomenon has resulted in various imperceptive yet cardinal occurrences.

UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE The aforementioned definition of climate change is accurate, even though it merely scratches the surface of the context the word holds. Through thorough research, scientists conclude that many factors contribute to the “shifts in temperature and weather patterns.” The most prominent factor is greenhouse gas emission from human activities. Greenhouse gasses, also known as GHGs, are simply gasses in the earth’s atmosphere that trap heat. The primary GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). These gasses confine heat from the sun in the atmosphere, raising the earth’s average temperature slowly. CO2 is widely produced from burning fossil fuels, agricultural practices, and deforestation, but its main source of emission are daily transportations such as cars, motorcycles, buses, and more. Transportation accounts for around one-fifth of global CO2 emission, 24% when considering emissions from energy usage. Methane is produced naturally from oxygen-deprived environments such as marshes, swamps, and bogs. As stated previously, excessive emissions of these gasses result in an increase in the earth’s average temperature. The unnatural heat causes sea levels to rise, glaciers to melt, weathers to become unpredictable, and more.

OVERVIEW OF ENDANGERED SPICES An endangered species is defined as a species of animal or plant that is at serious risk of extinction. Species are classified endangered when 70% of their species has declined, and the cause of decline is known.

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As humans reached the apex of the food chain with the assistance of technology, they began to hunt animals and destroy their habitats. For the past centuries, excessive hunting and habitat destruction have been the main causes of species endangerment and extinction. Such causes have resulted in the endangerment of species such as Javan Rhinos, Amur Leopards, and many more.

Endangerment without proper management and protection of those species results in extinction, which leads to the decrease of biodiversity on Earth. A healthy ecosystem relies on biodiversity, and without a sufficient variety of organisms, the once healthy ecosystem will begin to crumble.

HOW CLIMATE CHANGE CONTRIBUTES TO SPICIES ENDANGERMENT The aforementioned impacts of climate change not only has a detrimental effect on humans, but also has more significant and detrimental effects on animals. For example, due to the drastic shift of temperature and unsteady climate, icebergs are melting in Antarctica. Many animals have lost their habitat due to the destruction of such natural structures, and the number of those species, such as polar bears, have decreased respectively. Additionally, Co2 emission leads to ocean acidification because the ocean absorbs around one-third of all human induced Co2.

The chemistry of the seawater changes when interacting with Co2, and becomes harmful for marine animals to survive in, destroying their one and only habitat. Many factors must be met in order for certain species to thrive in an ecosystem. For example, species of fishes living in freshwater cannot survive in the salty sea due to the hypertonic environment. The water from their body will be lost and their cells will shrivel due to their surrounding environment, the salty sea, having a lower osmotic pressure than the fishes themselves. Therefore, the destruction of these unique and special habitats are detrimental to certain species.

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EFFORTS BEING MADE TO CONVERSE ENDANGERED SPICES Humans have realized the significance of the aforementioned issues since decades ago, and efforts have been made to conserve these endangered species and prevent climate change. Such efforts include creation of protected areas, captive breeding and reintroduction, conservation legislation, and increased public awareness. Moreover, many major organizations such as the UN have been making constant efforts to ease climate change. For example, the US secured more than $50 billion to cut industrial emissions and expand clean manufacturing, including billions for clean hydrogen hubs innovation. While terminating the two issues seem to be out of reach, constant efforts prove to be effective in sedating them.

CONCLUSION In conclusion, while human activity is mostly responsible for species endangerment, climate change is also a major factor as it destroys the natural habitat of animals. The solemnity of this issue cannot be ignored as species endangerment and extinction results in a decreased biodiversity. We as humans rely on the millions of species that each play a significant role in safeguarding valuable ecosystem services. The absence of certain endangered species can be detrimental as it may cause a butterfly effect, indirectly affecting natural food supply, clean air and water, and more. While constant efforts are being made to conserve these endangered species, it is imperative that everyone contributes to sedating climate change by reducing their emissions of greenhouse gasses, specifically Co2.

27 2024.4.6 / Joseph Lim / jojo08siwa1216@gmail.com

FAMOUS ENDANGERED SPECIES AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO SAVE THEM

JOHN BHANG

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ue to rapid industrialization, many wildlife animals have been suffering from human actions, such as climate change and deforestation. Because of human intervention, animal populations are rapidly decreasing. Giant pandas, Amur leopards, Sumatran tigers, Vaquitas, and Javan rhinos are only some of the animals in danger.

Thus, it is humans’ responsibility to preserve these animals’ habitats, educate future generations, and ban poaching to prevent not only these animals’ extinction, but the extinction of all animals.

Endangered species are all because of one main cause: humans. They hunt these animals for leisure and money, cut down habitats of these animals for resources and land space, and emit tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, making life for animals hard. There are three species that got hit harder than most species: Giant pandas, Amur leopards, and Sumuratan tigers.

Giant pandas are widely known and admired by the public, mainly for their lovable appearance ; they can weigh up to 330 pounds, can live up to 20 years, and mostly live in temperate forests in China. Unfortunately, he giant panda has long been a victim of human intervention. According to National Zoo, there are only around a total of 2000 giant pandas both in the wild and in captivity.

Habitat losses, deforestation, fragmentation, and poaching have contributed to the significant reduction in their population. According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), initiatives such as habitat preservation, captive breeding programs, and international agreements are crucial to ensure the giant panda's future. Moreover, protecting and restoring bamboo forests, which are the pandas’ primary food source and habitat, must become a priority.

Next, the Amur leopard, known for its unique spotted coat, are the rarest cat species on Earth. They are solitary cats that live in the colder parts of Russia. They weigh around 80 pounds and can live up to 20 years. However, they are another victims of human intervention. According to WWF, due to habitat loss, poaching, and fragmentation, less than 100 of these leopards are remaining in the wild currently. To compensate for our past actions, we should strive to establish protected areas, implement anti-poaching laws, and engage local communities.

Preserving the Amur leopards’ forest habitat in Russia and parts of China is crucial to their survival.

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Last but not least, Sumatran tigers are the smallest surviving tiger subspecies; they weigh around 300 pounds and live up to 20 years. They are usually found in tropical forests in India and Indonesia. However, they also face numerous threats, including, similarly to the animals before, habitat loss, poaching, and humantiger conflicts. With habitat destruction accelerating due to deforestation, Sumatran tigers are considered critically endangered by world governments.

Conservation measures must prioritize habitat protection and restoration, strengthen anti-poaching efforts, and mitigate human-tiger conflict through community education and sustainable development initiatives. To ensure the survival and restoration of these species, rapid, collaborative action is necessary.

However, that is not to say that we have not acted to conserve these animals. For example, reforestation projects have been initiated to restore and expand bamboo forests for Giant pandas.

Furthermore, protected reserves have been established to human interventions and provide safe spaces for them to roam freely. Moreover, collaborative efforts between international conservation organizations and Chinese authorities created successful breeding programs.

Looking ahead, future plans involve continued habitat restoration, strengthened anti-poaching measures, and innovative conservation strategies.

Adding on, for Amur leopards, many more initiatives have been taken place. Since the early 2000s, organizations like the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) have worked to protect their Russian Far East habitat. In 2012, Russia established the Land of the Leopard National Park, followed by the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve in 2015.

Collaborative efforts, such as the 2016 transboundary reserve agreement between Russia and China, aim to enhance habitat connectivity. Furthermore, in 2017, anti-poaching measures intensified, leading to a significant wildlife trafficking busts. Captive breeding programs, notably by the Moscow Zoo and A.V. Shilo Amur Tiger Center, have helped restore populations; in 2019, two captive-bred leopards were released into the wild. There are still many plans in place for the future.

In conclusion, habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict are the main problems; however, we can prevent their extinction and safeguard biodiversity for future generations by fighting for justice. Conservation of endangered species are not only limited to Giant pandas, Amur leopards, and Sumatran Tigers, but many more species, so we need to make sure more species do not get affected.

30 April 6, 2024 / John Bhang / 1simonjohn9598@gmail.com

A PLANT THAT HELPS YOU OVERCOME THE PAST : THE ASIAN LIZARD’S TAIL WITH THE WATER-SOLUBLE TANNIN JIEUN PARK

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ave you ever realized that your childhood favorite animal was an endangered species? Animals like pandas and flying squirrels that have once decorated our childhood dreams are fighting through the issue of extinction. Many people are making a lot of effort for the endangered animals. However, people do not know much about endangered ‘plants’.

There are as many endangered plants as animals in the world, and countless people make efforts to preserve them. In this article, I would like to talk about the "Asian lizard's tail" of such endangered plants.

Found in wetlands on Jeju Island and parts of Jirisan Mountain, the white vinegar is classified as a second-class endangered plant. It is famous for its medicinal herbs and well known for its effects in China and Japan.It is also called the "corpse flower" because it has rotting and poignant smells. The plant is known to be beneficial for lung cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer.

However, patients with cold-tempered or abdominal pain can suffer through abdominal pain and excessive digestion. Therefore, people with chronic indigestion and gastrointestinal disorders should also be careful.

These Asian lizard's tails contain an ingredient called 'water-soluble tannins', causing effective anticancer action. According to a Japanese study, water-soluble tannins also have anti-aging and cosmetic effects. Overall, it is beneficial for degenerative aging. These water-soluble tannins can exhibit this effect because they can inhibit the formation of peroxidized lipids that cause degenerative diseases in tissue cells. It is said that its efficacy is several times stronger than that of vitamin E and has very few side negative effects. A number of researchers are effectively using the plantto make medicine for these reasons.

As such, some plants do not remain in people's memory and disappear without being remembered, but there are many endangered plants which have infinite potentials like the Asian lizard's tail.

Therefore, I would like to say that we should bemore interested in the extinctions happening in our world and carry a sense of responsibility to protect endangered plants for the development of medicine and the preservation of ecosystems.

32 April 30, 2024 / Jieun Park / pje070608@gmail.com

THE IMPACT OF TROPHY HUNTING ON ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION

THE REASON WHY CESSATION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED 33

ETHAN KIM

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rophy hunting is a sport in which hunters kill animals to keep selected parts of their flesh to display as a trophy. Easily speculated from its name, trophy hunting entails a dreadful impact on the wildlife and ecosystem. It disturbs the predator-prey dynamics, creating a chain-like reaction within an ecosystem. While trophy hunting is promoted as a means of generating revenue used for ecosystem conservation, control of predator population(e.g. cougars and wolves in the United States ),In reality, there are many logical flaws regarding trophy hunting.

REVENUE GENERATION Trophy hunting as a means to generate income for wildlife conservation, seems pretty contradictory. While it could be acknowledged as the revenue generated could potentially be allocated towards the preservation of nature, the very act of trophy hunting diverges from the principles of nature preservation. If a trophy hunting event ends up failing to create such expected revenue, it will directly exacerbate the situation, leaving mercilessly slaughtered dead bodies of animals without yielding any benefits. While various alternatives such as ecotourism or sustainable wildlife products are available to raise money, asserting revenue generation as an objection to trophy hunting is not appropriate nor reasonable at all.

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POPULATION REGULATION The so-called bottom-up and top-down effect allows nature to regulate the population of both prey and predators in ecological systems without external interference.

For instance, an increase in the abundance of moss leads to more available food for fish, resulting in a rise in the fish population. Afterward, an inundation of bears caused by the increased prey reduces the fish population, balancing out the relative ratio between the species which maintains a healthy ecosystem. While people claim that trophy hunting helps regulate the population of certain species, the act is truly unnecessary and in fact, detrimental to the environment. Going back a few decades, in the Western United States, wolves were killed due to concerns of competition of game animals. As a result, herbivores such as elks overwhelmed the area, causing significant harm to the vegetation. A simple act of reducing the wolf population led to an unexpectedly harmful impact on the whole ecosystem. Such incidents throughout history have been constantly proving that human interference in the ecosystem does not yield any beneficial results.

Trophy hunting can be viewed as an act mostly based on logical flawed justifications, as two of the main assertions–revenue generation and population regulation– lack validity.

Since the mere existence of trophy hunting causes initially non-existing problems and does not produce tangible benefits, it should be banned in all areas.

35 March 31, 2024 / Ethan Seunghyun Kim / Kshkim0128@gmail.com

Endangered Species Act Once beloved, on the verge of extinction.

IRIS NAM

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rangutans, rhinos, tigers, turtles, leopards, gorillas, and whales. All of these animals were probably once in your favorite bedtime stories. However, they are likely to go extinct in the following years. According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 41,000 species are under threat of extinction.

The Endangered Species Act was established to protect these species and conserve nature for them. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Endangered Species Act (ESA) establishes protections for fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered; provides for adding species to and removing them from the list of threatened and endangered species, and for preparing and implementing plans for their recovery; provides for interagency cooperation to avoid take of listed species and for issuing permits for otherwise prohibited activities; provides for cooperation with States, including authorization of financial assistance; and implements the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)’. This act was enacted on December 28th, 1973, and has been accordingly implemented for wildlife conservation and to protect endangered species.

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While there are many working for the sole mission of protecting endangered species, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the two leading federal agencies for implementing ESA are the FSW and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service. The main work of FWS regarding ESA is maintaining a worldwide list of endangered species. These species are not limited to mammals aforementioned in the article, but also flowers, trees, birds, and insects. According to the EPA, in consultation with the NOAA Fisheries Service, they work to ensure that any work that can jeopardize the well-being of any listed species or ‘destruct a designated critical habitat of such species’. This law further prohibits any actions, such as interstating, importing, exporting, and foreign commerce, concerning the “taking” of any listed species.

While the Endangered Species Act as a whole seems like a beneficial law to the environment and for us, there are some controversies regarding the ESA. According to the Defenders of Wildlife, each industry argues that because of the ESA, their operations have been disturbed. Since the ESA places restrictions on many actions such as logging, and mining, some industries oppose ESA. Conserving wildlife and protecting such endangered species is crucial. The prevalent issue of nature restoration should be campaigned through many means. It is important for all to care deeply about the endangered animals, take responsibility, and work harmoniously to restore and conserve our Earth for all of us to live together.

April 6, 2024 / Iris Nam / irisbusiness.18586@gmail.com

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R. HARSHITA YANGALASETTY

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INTRODUCTION

n an age where the fragility of our ecosystems is more apparent than ever, one technological marvel stands out as a beacon of hope: satellite imaging. Satellite imaging has completely changed how we protect nature. This cutting-edge technology allows us to observe what's going on in places that are hard to reach. We can now get real-time updates on things such as land usage, plant growth, and the ecosystem. This helps conservationists keep an eye on important areas and improve protection. With satellites, we can easily track habitat loss and the live location of animals. It's like having a bird's-eye view of the planet, helping us take better care of it.

MAPPING HABITAT LOSS Satellite imaging is a game-changer for conservation. It goes beyond just showing where habitats are. With high-resolution satellite images, conservationists can zoom in on habitat quality, connectivity, and ecological health. This detailed view helps pinpoint critical areas that are in dire need of restoration and enhancement, ensuring ecosystems’ survival in the long run. Additionally, satellite imagery plays a vital role in spotting habitat fragmentation caused by human activities.

Understanding this fragmentation helps us grasp how it affects wildlife movement and gene flow.

It's like having a powerful tool that not only maps habitats but also helps us protect and restore them effectively.

MONITOR OF WILDLIFE POPULATION Moving on, High-resolution satellite imagery is a huge help for conservation. It lets us simultaneously detect events such as deforestation due to the expansion of urban areas, and growth of farm lands. In today’s fast-paced landscapes where frequent visits aren’t easy, satellites help us see how habitats shrink over time, spot places getting worn out, and decide where to focus our conservation work. Moreover, they help us see how habitats connect; in return, we can, find important paths for animals to move and mix their genes. It's like having a straightforward map that guides us in protecting nature better.

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DETECTION OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES Satellite imaging helps us to keep an eye on animals in big, hard-to-reach areas. Regular ways like counting animals on the ground or using cameras have limits - they require lots of people yet only cover small areas. But with satellite data, scientists get a big picture of where animals live and how they use their habitats. This helps when figuring out the accurate number of animals there are in the wild. When we use satellite info along with get into reality, we get a complete picture of what's happening with wildlife. It's like having a over head perspective to help us protect animals better.

Satellite images are also great for catching criminals performing illegal actions that harm the environment, such as hunting and destroying the habitat of animals. Conservationists can watch far-off places from space, spotting any deceptions and immediately inform the police. With satellite info, conservation groups can decide where to send help to stop the bad stuff from happening.

UTILIZING SATELLITE IMAGERY OBJECT DETECTION Satellite imaging helps us to keep an eye on animals in big, hard-to-reach areas. Regular ways like counting animals on the ground or using cameras have limits - they require lots of people yet only cover small areas. But with satellite data, scientists get a big picture of where animals live and how they use their habitats. This helps when figuring out the accurate number of animals there are in the wild. When we use satellite info along with get into reality, we get a complete picture of what's happening with wildlife. It's like having a over head perspective to help us protect animals better. Satellite images are also great for catching criminals performing illegal actions that harm the environment, such as hunting and destroying the habitat of animals.

Conservationists can watch far-off places from space, spotting any deceptions and immediately inform the police. With satellite info, conservation groups can decide where to send help to stop the bad stuff from happening.

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TRANSFORMING NATURE CONSERVATION WITH SATELLITE IMAGERY Companies like Airbus are leading the way in using satellite images to help conservation. They give us almost instant updates on how healthy ecosystems are, where habitats are getting broken up, and where different animals live. This info helps conservation groups make smart choices.

When satellite companies collaborate with conservationists, they work together to use satellite tech in the best way possible to protect nature worldwide. As satellites improve, it opens up a variety of opportunities to tackle new conservation problems. It's like having a whole team of high-tech helpers working to keep our planet safe.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Using satellite imaging to its fullest potential in conservation may face some hurdles. With today’s evolving technology, directly accessing clear images, managing of huge scale data, and the meeting the financial requirement are some of the main challenges.Plus, we need to think about privacy and who owns the data to ensure responsible usage .

But these challenges also provide us with chances to be creative and cooperate. Conservationists can collaborate with tech experts to find new ways to use satellite data. By working together across different fields, we can figure out how to get the images we need and use them to protect nature better. It's like turning obstacles into opportunities to help our planet thrive.

However, despite these challenges, there are opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Conservationists can partner with technology experts to explore novel applications of satellite data. By leveraging interdisciplinary cooperation, we can overcome obstacles and enhance our efforts to protect nature. While acknowledging the limitations, it's essential to remain open to creative solutions in our collective mission to foster a thriving planet.

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CONCLUSION In summary, satellite imagery has transformed wildlife conservation by giving us incredible access to observe endangered animals and their habitat. It helps us see where habitats are disappearing, keep track of precise number of animals, and catch people doing disasters like hunting illegally. As technology gets better and more people work together to solve problems, satellite imaging will keep improving conservation efforts. By using satellite tech, we can aim for a future where animals and people live together peacefully, making sure there's plenty of nature left for our kids and grandkids to enjoy. It's all about using technology to protect our planet's animals and plants for the long haul.

43 March 30, 2024 / R. Harshita Yangalasetty / raja.h2019@yahoo.com

DIVING INTO SURVIVAL STRATEGIES: CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAMS A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO SAFEGUARDING ENDANGERED SPECIES

AUDREY CHOI

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C

urrently, there are more than 44,000 species of animals that are on the verge of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Captive breeding programs have been trending as a primary method to conserve endangered species, as it is the only chance left for the species on the brink of extinction. Captive breeding programs have been a success for many highly threatened species such as the Bald Eagle, Golden Lion Tamarin, Andean condors, Arabian Oryx, Eastern Barred Bandicoot, and red wolves. So, what is captive breeding? Captive breeding is the process of keeping animals in controlled environments in order to protect animals from extinctions, diseases, and other hazards. However, since captive breeding programs are essentially replicating what happens in nature, they are an extremely challenging process, which is why learning about neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to adapt based on experiences, is essential for understanding how these programs affect the endangered species.

Most often, the goals of captive breeding programs are to establish a captive insurance population, supplement an existing population, and re-establish a population once extinct in the wild. These programs offer a controlled environment that helps the species produce more offspring, which are then protected from predators, difficult weather, and nourishment. However, this process is not as easy as it sounds because all the environmental, nutritional, and behavioral requirements for the species need to be met. An in-depth background research of the species is important to understanding what a favorable condition is for the specific species. Knowing what the favorable condition is necessary for a close replication of the natural habitat.

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The success of these programs is most times measured by the percentage of offspring survival. An example of the success of captive breeding programs can be shown by the Southern Corroboree frogs at the Melbourne Zoo. These frogs were near the edge of extinction due to the amphibian chytrid fungus, the fungus that causes the disease chytridiomycosis in amphibians. Captive breeding programs established in the 2000s allowed the Southern Corroboree frogs to be saved from being extinct forever. Looking at reproduction rates, captive breeding programs around the world have been successful, as there have been results of tens of thousands of embryos produced annually. Despite this, the mortality rate of embryos has also continued to be high, leading to a survival rate of only 60% every year.

What may be causing the high mortality rates? Although there have been findings of unidentified species of fungi that have never been found in amphibian embryos before, fungal infections in diseased embryos are not considered the primary cause of mortality. The problem lies in the captive breeding environment itself, as there is a possibility that developmental errors weaken the defense mechanism of the embryo, making the species prone to infections. This is where the significance of neuroplasticity comes in. Investigating how the environment of captive breeding programs is affecting the neural adaptation and behavioral plasticity of species is important to enhance the environmental conditions for reduced mortality rates. It is important to keep note of the fact that captive breeding should be used in conjunction with other conservation methods such as habitat protection to successfully protect and restore endangered species in the wild.

46 April 7, 2024 / Audrey Choi / audreychoi31@gmail.com

ACTIONS THAT CAN HELP PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES HOW PEOPLE CAN HELP SAFEGUARD ENDANGERED SPECIES IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES

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ELLEN RYU

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lack rhinos, Giant pandas, African elephants, Northern spotted owls, and passenger pigeons. All these animals are well-known species, attaching the connotation that these animals are prevalent. However, all these species are endangered—types of organisms that are threatened by extinction. Species can become endangered due to many factors, including loss of habitat, loss of genetic variation, and diseases (National Geographic). Therefore, though it might seem like people cannot play a role in protecting endangered species, there are many actions people can take to protect endangered species.

As endangered species share the same environment as us, securing biodiversity is crucial to providing optimal habitat conditions for species. For example, many use pesticides and herbicides to control pests and disease carriers. Pesticides and herbicides allow people to control agriculture, leading to a better quality of food, improved productivity, and protection from crop losses (Aktar et al. 2009). Though these chemical compositions are beneficial to agriculture, they are harmful to other non-targeted species. These compositions do not easily degrade, meaning they stay in the food web that includes various species. These compositions staying in organisms’ bodies create biomagnification, where contaminants increase in animals that are higher species in the food chain. In other words, when organisms of endangered species consume these inadvertently, pesticides and herbicides can be extremely toxic, which might lead to death in severe cases.

Therefore, reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides can prevent unwanted health hazards of endangered species.

Recycling and buying sustainable products is another way to ensure optimal habitat conditions for endangered species. Recycling helps “reduce landfills, mining, and drilling operations that reduce habitat space for species” (Clean River). When recycling does not occur, waste ends up in wild animals’ habitats, causing detrimental health impacts to the organisms. Currently, most commonly used products, including plastic and vinyl are unrecyclable. As a result, many wild animals suffer from these products. In fact, about 100,000 animals die because of plastics in their habitat as they eat them and cannot digest the waste properly. Plastic does not biodegrade like organic materials, but it does break apart over time into smaller and smaller pieces, resulting in microplastic, fragments of any type of plastic less than 5 mm in length. Exposure to microplastic induces a variety of toxic effects, including oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, immune responses, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity, which can ultimately lead to endangered species being affected. However, if recycling occurs, it not only provides more space for wild animals to live in due to reduced landfills but also promotes a healthier habitat, which ultimately leads to maintaining a stable social ecosystem. Thus, in order for endangered to promote a healthy habitat for animals, using recyclable products is crucial.

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Another simple way to protect endangered species is to drive carefully. As roads are built across forests, they act as a dangerous threat to animal species. Not aware of the dangers roads possess, many animals are exposed to road mortality. In fact, in a 2007 study, “21 federally listed threatened and endangered species in the United States for which direct road mortality is among the major threats to the survival” (Defenders). However, direct collisions with vehicles are not the only reason why animals suffer from roads. Roads induce habitat loss and fragmentation of land, limiting the animals to specific areas or resources, which can be hazardous to animals. As already established roads are dangerous enough to animals, it is crucial to prevent more casualties that occur from roads, so slowing down when driving or looking to see if any animals are around can help prevent unwanted animal deaths.

It is not hard to save the environment; simply decreasing the use of pesticides and herbicides, recycling, and driving carefully can protect wildlife. Minor changes in our actions can create major changes that benefit the endangered species.

49 April 6, 2024 / Ellen Ryu / ellenyryu@gmail.com

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