Endangered Species
Endangered Species are those that are near the brink of extinction or dying out. Unfortunately, many species of the chaparral biome are enlisted as endangered. These include giant kangaroo rats, Iberian lynxes, San Joaquin kit foxes, Mohave Ground squirrels, grey wolves, and Sierra Nevada foxes.
The Iberian Lynx
The Iberian lynx is the most endangered feline species in the world. At one point, they inhabited most of the Mediterranean, but now they are confined to two small breeding populations in southern Spain. The estimated amount of individuals is 84 to 145 adults.
Threats:
The Iberian lynxes are specialists and only eat rabbits. Since the rabbit population itself has been negatively affected by diseases and epidemics, the Iberian lynx population was also negatively impacted.
Habitat loss and degradation has also contributed to the decline of the lynx population. New infrastructure is fragmenting their habitat and breeding populations have become separated. Plus, since habitat loss has confined them to small areas, it is hard to find shelter and food.
What You can do to Help:
The best thing you can do to help the Iberian lynxes is to fund a large non-profit organization like the World Wildlife Fund, Lynx Life Group, or the Chaparral Awareness Organization. WWF is contributing by supporting captive breeding programs, and sponsoring the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE), which is creating an action plan for the Iberian lynx. The Lynx Life Group is contributing by boosting rabbit numbers, in hopes of boosting the lynx population as well. Finally, don't forget to spread the word!
Threats:
The Iberian lynxes are specialists and only eat rabbits. Since the rabbit population itself has been negatively affected by diseases and epidemics, the Iberian lynx population was also negatively impacted.
Habitat loss and degradation has also contributed to the decline of the lynx population. New infrastructure is fragmenting their habitat and breeding populations have become separated. Plus, since habitat loss has confined them to small areas, it is hard to find shelter and food.
What You can do to Help:
The best thing you can do to help the Iberian lynxes is to fund a large non-profit organization like the World Wildlife Fund, Lynx Life Group, or the Chaparral Awareness Organization. WWF is contributing by supporting captive breeding programs, and sponsoring the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE), which is creating an action plan for the Iberian lynx. The Lynx Life Group is contributing by boosting rabbit numbers, in hopes of boosting the lynx population as well. Finally, don't forget to spread the word!
San Joaquin kit fox
The San Joaquin kit fox is part of the smallest family of canines in North America. They live in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California, and there are currently less than 7,000 individuals. Their main prey are small animals like the kangaroo rat, desert cottontails, black-tailed hares, birds, lizards, and squirrels.
Threats:
Just like the Iberian lynx, habitat degradation and the conversion of their habitat to farmland has reduced the San Joaquin kit fox population. The habitat fragmentation has made it difficult for kit foxes to obtain food or find a mate.
What You can do to Help:
Help Protect the San Joaquin kit fox by donating to the Defenders of Wildlife, who are working to protect the kit fox's habitat by forming an alliance with the California Cattlemen's Association and the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition. However, the best thing you can do is spread the word!
Threats:
Just like the Iberian lynx, habitat degradation and the conversion of their habitat to farmland has reduced the San Joaquin kit fox population. The habitat fragmentation has made it difficult for kit foxes to obtain food or find a mate.
What You can do to Help:
Help Protect the San Joaquin kit fox by donating to the Defenders of Wildlife, who are working to protect the kit fox's habitat by forming an alliance with the California Cattlemen's Association and the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition. However, the best thing you can do is spread the word!