Posted by admin | Posted in Endangered Animals | Posted on
Tags: eastern massasauga rattlesnake, oregon spotted frog
In the list of endangered reptile species, you will not see this little animal. The Oregon Spotted Frog has been on the request list since 1991! This is 20 years ago! The same story is happening for the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake which has been a candidate to the list of endangered species for 29 years!
Are they even in existence today? When was the last time anyone saw these two animals in their natural habitat?
The reports are mildly conflicting. For instance, the state of Washington and Canada believe that the Oregon Spotted frog is 90% gone from its original figures. Compared to 15 years ago, the population dropped by 30%. Even the Woodland Park Zoo where this species was open for viewing has now put them out of exhibit and into a captive headstart program with the help of civic and state organizations like the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
According to Bob Irvin, SVP of the Defender of Wildlife, these animals are like people injured or sick in an overflowing emergency facility. He says, “Species on the candidate list continue to deteriorate while waiting for care.” They get no help from the federal funds and have to rely solely on environmentalists and the individual states. There have been 24 cases of candidates who have become extinct while waiting for approval.
The problem is not just that there is not enough funds for these endangered or vulnerable animals and plants, but also the fact that there is not enough effort to stop their habitats from being invaded and their food sources from being eliminated.
The government is doing all it can but the private citizens and visitors should all contribute to the cause. The federal agency that oversees the Endangered Species Act of 1973 spent almost US$1.4 billion in 2010 and a little less than US$1 billion in 2009. There are just too many very huge obstacles to hurdle to help all the animals and plants in need. Everyone has to help and work as a team, not just the government and environmentalists.