I was just reading this article on an endangered species of lynx.
Iberian Lynx Article.
In my home state I suppose the only form of lynx is the common bobcat. I was thinking of the fate of the Carolina parakeet, the USA’s only native parrot.
A beautiful bird, prized both for its feathers and as a cage bird, it fell victim to loss of habtat, farmers viewing it as a pest, and a general lack of foresight in captive breeding. The Carolina parakeet is no more, other than taxidermied specimens.
As a teenager, I lived within a few miles of an eagle sanctuary, which was devoted to rescuing another great species, not unlike the predatory lynx, the monkey-eating eagle. Though the future of the monkey-eating eagle is in doubt, strides have been made toward rescuing it.
I was privileged to see Pag-Asa, whose name translates as “hope,” the first monkey-eating eagle born in captivity.
When it comes to these sorts of animals the matter gets difficult. The American buffalo (technically called a bison) made transportation in the American West quite hazardous, and thus they were largely killed off. I had the good fortune to have lived a few years, in my childhood, by a wildlife refuge where much of the successful conservation efforts were conducted. Today, the American buffalo survives more as a domesticated animal than a wild animal.
The mountain lion, or American panther, is another case. They are frightening… magnificent creatures… but also deadly. Efforts are made to preserve them, especially the rare Florida panther, but it is hard to save them and still protect other things.
I am glad for conservation efforts which would keep species from dying out. The white tailed deer, so common today throughout the United States, was once in serious decline, but through various efforts, from reforestation to limiting hunting, they are now abundant enough to be a major traffic hazard (sometimes I have to stop for them, in town).
Many have been developing large facial cancerous growths that eventually kill them. Nobody really has much idea about what is going wrong with them.
Actually, no. They are carnivores that go for carrion. Not like the wombat at all in thsoe habits. Actually, one theory is that their less hygenic ways might leave them prone to unusual infections and maybe there is a serious disease triggered culling every so often that has nothing to do with human damage. They also make a frightening squealing sound when they squabble, which adults do frequently, hence their name. I must admit that their young are extremely cute though and very appealingly playful.