Margay

Margay sitting in a tree

Photograph by Roberto Pedraza Ruiz

     Margays have a brownish-yellow to tan coat with black spots, stripes, and splotches,
lengthwise along its body, and white on its chest, belly, and insides of the legs. Margays are mainly tree-dwellers, restricted to forest habitat associated with dense lowland forest below. They originated in Mexico, in the southern side of North America. Margays are intolerant of altered habitat, which is a key cause of their threatened status.  
     Unfortunately, very little is known about the Margay's ecology. Unlike most wild cats, when the forests are destroyed these cats are unable to adjust to the new environment.
     In the late 1980s, the Margay was one of the most heavily exploited cats for the fur trade. In some areas they are still hunted illegally for their coat. In 1991, the Margay was the most common pelt in the southern Mexico fur trade, despite its protected status.
     The combination of over-hunting for fur, capture for the pet trade,
and massive deforestation has destroyed wild populations of this little wild cat. They have never been common and are rare in captivity and in the wild.

How to Help:

     Due to the fact that Margays are not widely known and the lack of knowledge for its needs, researchers do not have quality information for this cat's needs. Organizations like Big Cat Rescue and Panthera accept donations for the cause. You can also help by being a voice for the Margay population and bring awareness to the public.

Sources:

http://bigcatrescue.org/margay-facts/

www.wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/south-america/margay

Killer Whale

    

Killer Whale jumping out of the water

Photograph from coloringkids.com

     Killer Whales, also known as Orcas, are black on top with white undersides and white patches near their eyes. Gray or white saddles lie behind their dorsal fins, which are unique across individual killer whales and populations. They are highly sociable mammals, relying on underwater sound for orientation, feeding, and communication. Killer Whales produce whistles and pulsed calls, named echolocation for communication and keeping the group together. They are found in all parts of the ocean, but mainly colder regions near northern North America, like the North Atlantic,  Canada, and Pacific oceans. Their diet includes fish, small mammals, sharks, and sea birds.
     Currently, the Killer Whale is not on the list of endangered animals, but some specific populations are threatened, and others are considered extremely vulnerable to a number of threats.
     The threats Killer Whales face are natural dangers in their habitats and by human activities. In the natural dangers category, Killer Whales suffer from fungal and bacterial infections or they can get parasites that can undermine their quality of life. They have also been known to suffer from Hodgkin’s disease, tumors, stomach ulcers, and skin diseases. Other large animals are not a problem for the orcas. If they are full-grown healthy adults, they have no predators
     Human activities pose a greater threat to them, such as commercial-hunting, or whaling, to market their bodies, which is one of them most important threats to killer whales, capturing for entertainment, habitat pollution, excessive noise due to their communication, decreased prey, collisions with boats, issues with fisherman, and climate changes.

How to Help:

     Conservation efforts in the Recovery Plan for the Southern Resident Killer Whales include support salmon restoration efforts, clean existing contaminated areas, improve ship activity, prevent oil spills, enhance public awareness, and research coordinating with these conservation efforts. The public can help by adopting a whale and donating to the World Wildlife Fund.

Sources:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/whale

http://www.killer-whale.org/killer-whales-endangered/

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/killer-whale.html