Feburary 2008 Issue
Welcome to the Feburary 2008 issue of The Realm Of Nature's E-Zine - an online magazine filled with articles about the natural world. In this issue, enter to the extremes of the Ice Worlds finding out about the hardships faced by the animals and plants that cling to survival in the coldest places on earth from the comfort of your own home. With 2008 named The Year Of The Frog, read the first part of our installment on amphibians! Then take a trip back in time to the seas of the Carboniferous and one of the most bizarre of ancient sharks, Ancient Sharks - Stethacanthus. Read a short story about a pack of African Wild Dogs fight for survival Story: African Wild Dog . The peacock butterfly has recently been voted as the UK's favourite butterfly, and check out the Peacock Butterfly Photo Gallery to see why! And finally, show your support for wildlife by taking part in this months campaigns in ACT NOW! Every little does help to make a difference! Finally, you can drop us a message related to this issue of the magazine over in Letters & Comments.
Thank you for visiting!
Ice World
The polar regions are the coldest places on earth. For half of the year, the sun never rises above the horizon, the only light coming from the dancing auroras in the sky. The rest of that time, the sun never sets always lingering low in the sky but never sharing the heat received at lower latitudes. The angle of the earth mean the suns rays that do reach the polar regions are spread out over a wide area, travelling through more atmosphere dispelling them even further. Cooling the poles even further, the ice itself simply reflects the much of the precious sunlight. Yet some creatures are able to cling to survival here in these bitterly cold ice worlds, one of the harshest of environments on earth.
Arctic
To the far north lies the Arctic, a vast area encompassing parts of Canada, Russia, Iceland and the whole of Greenland. A huge sheet of ice covers much of the Arctic Ocean while the tundra dominates the more southerly parts of the region. Winter can see temperatures here drop to less than -60° C, yet life manages to survive.
Roaming this icy world is the largest terrestrial predator alive today - the polar bear. In the spring, mothers emerge from their dens dug into ice and snow where their cubs were born bald, blind and helpless. During these first months of her cubs life, the mother never feeds instead sustaining both herself and her offspring on the fat reserves she built up over the spring. The return of the sun heralds their emergence into their icy world. Having grown fur and opened their eyes within the confines of the den, the cubs take their first steps out into the sunlight. For the mother, there is now an urgency to find food. Six months have passed since she last fed and her reserves are running low. Once her cubs are able to walk confidently on the ice, she sets off in search of a meal. She and her cubs though may not travel unescorted.
Arctic foxes live alongside the bears and often follow them in the hopes of scavenging from their kills. These opportunistic predators thrive in the cold Arctic regions and are the only foxes that have seasonal colour changes. In the winter when snow covers most of the ground, the foxes develop a dense white coat that provides both warmth and camouflage. In spring their white coat is lost, replaced by a grey-brown or blue coat that provides better camouflage when the snow has melted and the tundra bursts into bloom.
With the return of the sun, plants that lay dormant over the dark winter months sprout and grow rapidly. There are no trees out on the tundra for the ground is frozen preventing them from developing the deep roots they need to support themselves, but low-growing plants can survive and 1,700 different species have been recorded growing in the tundra habitat. Among them is the Arctic Willow (Salix arctica). These spread out along the ground rather than growing upwards. Summer sees colour burst out across the tundra as plants start to flower such as fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) and Alpine Azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens). With the blooming of the flowers, insects emerge. The Arctic bumblebee (Bombus polaris) travels from flower to flower sipping nectar and transferring pollen as it does so. With their bodies covered in a dense layer of hairs, these bees can maintain a higher temperature than other insects and that enables them to be active earlier. Dragonflies too emerge along with a few butterflies and moths. As the weather warms, plagues of mosquitoes emerge. For the caribou that migrate vast distances to reach the fresh new growth, these biting insects are a major nuisance. The caribou remain constantly on the move making mini-migrations to get away from the insects. In years with high numbers of mosquitoes, their effects on the caribou can be devastating as the constant movement to escape the insects means they aren't feeding to build up fat reserves for the harsh winter months.
There is more than just the mosquitoes around to bother the caribou though. Arctic wolves also roam the tundra, and they have been searching for the caribou. These pack-hunting predators have been waiting for their arrival, the caribou determining how successful the years breeding season will be for many of these efficient carnivores. remaining in her underground den, the alpha female nurses her cubs while waiting for the pack to return with food. Should they fail to find enough prey, the cubs will starve. But even where prey is readily available, there is still the problem of catching it.
Working as a team, the wolves make the herds of caribou run following closely on their heels, but they don't attack straight away. Working carefully to split some of the caribou from the main herd they look for a sign of weakness among the herd to signal an easy target. The slightest limp can make all the difference as to whether a caribou becomes a target or not. Once selected, the pack work together to single out the target separating it from the other. But even now, the hunt isn't over. In a test of stamina, the predators and their prey engage in a chase that can last for hours before the prey either becomes exhausted and collapses allowing the wolves to move in for the kill, or the wolves give uo the hunt.
Flight isn't always the response that the prey chooses though. Bison are a much larger and more dangerous prey than the caribou, and while these large members of the cattle family will sometimes flee from the wolves they also have an alternative strategy. Circling the vulnerable young, the adults stand their ground charging at any wolf that comes too close. With their powerful bodies, they could easily kill a wolf not fast enough to get out of the way. When the prey fights back, the wolves usually take the safer method and head elsewhere to find an easier target.
Other migrants are also attracted to the tundra in the spring, among them greater snow geese that arrive in Canada to breed. There are fewer predators in the tundra, though Arctic foxes will snatch eggs and chicks if they get the chance, and the geese find safety in numbers. While the geese pair for life and couples reunite year after year, the buff-breasted sand piper has a different method of breeding. These small waders that feed on small insects and other invertebrates create leks - a patch of ground that the male defends to display in with the best males being found towards the centre and subordinates creating leks around him in the hopes of getting lucky. Here they display to the females, flashing the silvery white undersides of their wings in order to draw their attention. The females move from lek to lek, comparing the different males before eventually choosing a mate. The female is then left to brood and care for her chicks alone - the males take no parental responsibility. In fact, by the time their eggs hatch they are already on their way back to their wintering grounds.
The tundra animals need to be wary of the predators that attack not only from the ground, but from the skies. The Gyrfalcon is the largest falcon in the world with a wingspan of over 4 feet. In the Arctic, the falcons start nesting before the temperature has risen below 0° C, their young hatching in time to see the arrival of the feast of migrants. While the falcons nest on cliffs overlooking their realm, snowy owls lay their eggs on the ground in a shallow scrape. They, along with many other tundra predators, are highly dependant upon an abundance of lemmings - small rodents related to voles - for the survival of their young, for these are the main part of their diet. In poor lemming years, many owls don't attempt to breed at all whereas in years where lemmings reach very high densities, the female can lay as many as 14 eggs. Each chick needs around two lemmings a day to ensure it's survival with as many as 1,500 lemmings been taken by a family before the young leave to fend for themselves. 
Away from the land is the realm of the Arctic Ocean. This too is a environment rich in life, for the seas bloom with plankton, the base of the marine food web. Here, many of the most charismatic animals swimming the seas gather, among them the smiling beluga whales. When born these small whales that reach a length of around 5 metres are grey, but upon reaching maturity at around seven years old for females, nine for males they have turned a uniform white. Related to the belugas is the strange narwhal, the males easily identified by their long spiralling tusks that were once sold as unicorn horns. The purpose of this tusk, formed from an incisor projecting from the upper jaw, remains a mystery. The current theory is that it is used in establishing dominance and attracting females, however new research has found that their tusks are also covered in a sensory network of nerves that may detect the water conditions through which the whale is swimming. These too thrive in the cold Artic waters feeding on fish, squid and shrimp and alongside them are their much larger relatives, the great whales. The bowhead whale lives in the Arctic all year round, protected from the icy cold waters by a layer of blubber that can be two feet thick. Reaching a length of over 60 feet, these whales depend upon some of the smallest Arctic creatures for their survival - plankton. Once these giant mammals, like most of the other whales, were hunted nearly to the point of extinction. Now though their numbers are recovering though some populations still only number in the hundreds.
Deeper into the Arctic sea lies an opportunistic predator. Appearing slow and sluggish, the Greenland shark can reach length of over 20 feet, but its behaviour is deceptive. For when it locates prey, it can attack with lightning speed capable of disabling seals and even small cetaceans. They do this despite being virtually blind. A tiny copepod called Ommattokoita elongata lives attached to the cornea of most Greenland sharks eyes. But even the sharks need to be wary of the top predators in these oceans - the orca, or killer whales. However, the efficiency of these predators is hampered by their dorsal fins which make moving through the ice covered oceans difficult and so these are mainly summer visitors to the Arctic, heading South with the return of the winter leaving the Arctic to those species that are able to withstand the freezing of the pole and the long days of total darkness.
Antarctic
At the opposite end of the globe are the seas of the Antarctic. Here too, is a rich environment for cetaceans and other marine life. Blue whales migrate here to feast on the abundance of plankton they need to sustain their bodies which can be over one hundred feet long, for it is only in the rich polar seas that they can find the food in the quantities they need. Alongside them are other giants that also migrate to join the feast - fin whales which come second to the blue as the largest animals on earth, right whales and the charismatic humpbacks ever-popular with whale watchers.
Their relatives, the toothed whales, though are less abundant. In fact there are only two that live in the waters of Antarctica - orcas and sperm whales. While the sperm whales dive to great depths in search of squid, the orcas hunt the shoals of fish in the surface waters occasionally taking other marine mammals such as seals and even other whales. Though dangerous predators in their own right, leopard seals also need to be wary when orcas are around. The second largest seal in the world, leopard seals are named after the pattern of spots on their bodies but they live up to their name. They patrol the edges of the ice waiting for smaller seals and penguins. For the emperor penguins, the seals are a major threat. Male emperor penguins are the only animals that live through the harsh Antarctic winters. After travelling up to 56 miles inland the female lays her single egg in May or June. This is quickly passed to the male who incubates it beneath a fold of skin known as a brood pouch. Should the egg be dropped, that is the end of the breeding season for that pair. The temperatures are so bitterly cold that the chick inside is immediately lost. Producing the egg takes a lot out of the female. Her reserves of fat are depleted leaving her unable to survive the vicious Antarctic winter and so while the male is left to sit out the bitterly cold winter, she makes the long journey back to the ocean to feed and restore her reserves. Entering the water is when the penguins are at greatest risk from the leopard seals lurking beneath the ice. They cannot see the seal, but nor does the seal know exactly where the penguins will enter the water. Lingering at the edge of the ice, none of the penguins want to be the first to dive into the icy water but eventually one takes the plunge and the others are quick to follow. Entering the water as a group provides safety in numbers, and most of the penguins make it. But a few do end up in the bone-crushing jaws of the waiting seals. For around two months the females hunt in the rich Antarctic while the males huddle together to keep warm in the 200mph winds and temperatures that can drop to well below -40 degrees Celsius. Yet the egg is kept warm in his pouch the chick inside slowly developing. Should the chick emerge before the return of the female, the male regurgitates a milky substance he has stored for the chick while they wait for the female. Upon her return, she takes over the care of the egg and the male returns to the sea to find food for both himself and the hungry chick. By December, the chicks, having lived in crèches for safety for the last few weeks fed by both parents, are ready to take to the open ocean. Now summer, the journey to the water is much less than it was when the parents made the journey to the nesting grounds as much of the ice has melted. While the young penguins are taking their first steps towards independence, the parents now freed of their duties, family life is just starting for another Antarctic resident.
The elegant snow petrel returns to their breeding colonies in September. These pure white birds nest on cliffs laying a single white egg. The chick which hatches after around 43 days is cared for by both parents, one remaining at the nest to protect it from the cold and predators while the other heads out to sea to forage for fish and krill. Other birds too have chicks to care for, and some such as the South Polar Skua are known as pirates of the sky. A snow petrel returning with food can sometimes end up being harassed by these determined opportunists until they regurgitate the food they stored away to give to their chicks. The skuas are also prepared to snatching eggs and chicks from the rock ledges should they be given the chance. But the snow petrels have a strategy against these large predators, where they can they nest in crevices where it is difficult for the skuas to reach the eggs, however such suitable nest sites are often few and far between and only the fittest pair will be able to hold onto a good nest site.
Antarctic terns though need a more direct way of defending their nests. They nest on the ground and though their eggs and chicks are well-camouflaged against the rock, skuas and kelp gulls keep a watchful eye out for these nutritious meals. The terns nest in loose colonies, and with good reason, for when a predator threatens they gang together to drive it away dive bombing and mobbing as a collective group. Such a method is an effective way of protecting their young, though a few unlucky chicks still fall victim to the waiting predators.
The majority of the land in Antarctica is covered in snow and ice. An inhospitable environment for plant life. However in a few places where the rock is not covered by ice and snow a few plants manage to survive. There are only two flowering plants to be found on Antarctica, Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) and Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis) and these are both found on the western Antarctic peninsular and a few islands. Most of the vegetation in Antarctica is made up of lower plant groups - the mosses and lichens, liverworts and fungi with lichens being the most abundant with around 400 species recorded. These small, low growing plants have adapted to surviving in the harsh Antarctic climate and manage to survive and reproduce in this bitter landscape. And where plants can survive, so can invertebrates. Springtails can be found wandering through the miniature forest created by the mosses and lichens and tiny mites scurry over the surface of the rock. These tiny creatures manage to survive in one of the most extreme environments on our planet, using natural anti-freeze in their blood to stop their bodies from freezing. At 2mm long, the springtail Isotoma klovstadi is a giant of these Antarctic communities, the largest herbivore in these micro communities grazing on the mosses and algae. They are far from safe though, for where there are herbivores there are predators waiting to pounce. The predator here is the ferocious mite, Coccorhagidia gressitti. At the same length as Isotoma klovstadi, the springtail is a challenging meal for the hunting mite. The springtail is capable of moving at high speed and are even capable of leaping through the air to make their escape from the predators jaws. Even here, in the most remote place on earth, the game between predator and prey plays on. Even if a microscope is needed to watch.
The Year Of The Frog
Amphibians worldwide are in trouble. Climate change, habitat loss, disease, pollution are all contributing to the disappearence of frogs, toads and their relatives. Having surived for hundreds of millions of years through some of the most devestating mass-extinctions in history, they are now facing a mass extinction themselves as a result of human activities. Yet frogs are a vital part of the ecosystems upon which we ourselves depend. They are predators of slugs and other invertebrate pests which spread disease and devestate crops, and are themselves vital for the survival of other species higher up in the food chain. The disappearence of amphibians would be more than just an inconvenience, it would destroy the very structure of the food web.
Of the approximately 6,000 species of amphibian in the world today, around half are threatened with extinction. Yet there are still new species of amphibian being discovered regularly as areas of tropical forests are explored and DNA analysis reveals different populations of what were once thought to be the same species are genetically different enough to cause them to be classed as a different species. Many other amphibians may have already vanished without us ever knowing they existed as their habitat is destroyed to suit logging, new development and agriculture.
2008 has officially been named the Year of the Frog - a chance to save these amphibians from extinction. Yet action to save them doesn't need to happen hundreds of miles away - it can happen in your own area, your back garden, or a local park. Every little will help to change the fate of amphibians, giving both them and ourselves a future.
Visit the Year of the Frog website
Related topics on The Natural World Forum:
Petition: Support for Amphibians!
How to make your garden frog-friendly
Photo Gallery: 10 Endangered Amphibians
Photo Gallery: Endangered Frogs
QUIZ: What kind of frog are you?
Last Wave for Wild Golden Frog
Life In Cold Blood: Photo Gallery
Check out the next issue for more on amphibians!
Peacock Butterfly Photo Gallery
Ancient Sharks - Stethacanthus
Out of the gloom other sharks appear, but these look very different to the slender females. Unlike the females, these males did have first dorsal fins but these were nothing like the fins of any shark alive today. Their dorsal fin was bizarrely modified into something that looked more like a brush with enlarged dermal denticles on the top. This was Stethacanthus altonensis - one of the strangest sharks of the Carboniferous seas.
One of the unusual males makes a hasty retreat towards deeper waters, bleeding badly from a bite wound to his side. He would not be returning to this area again this year. Physical battles between the males were violent and aggressive, but they had a lot to lose. It was the breeding season and they were challenging each other for the right to mate.
As the females, which lacked the brush, swim among them, the males posture and display to both them and their rivals. Larger and older males had larger brushes and therefore this, coupled with the energetic display, gives them a way to deter their rivals without having to resort to physical battle, for that could reduce in a serious injury which could quickly spell death for one of these small sharks. Much larger fish were also drawn in to watch the spectacle, but with a deadly purpose. They were waiting for an injured or exhausted male that wouldn't be able to swim fast enough to escape. As soon as they spotted a likely target, they struck in an instant. Those smaller, weaker males forced to display at the edge of the gathering were at greatest risk of all. Unable to compete with the strongest males for a place in the centre of the gathering they stood the least chance of gaining the chance to mate, and were at greatest risk of been picked off by one of the large predatory fish lurking in the background.
However, there was safety in numbers. Such a large number of these sharks had gathered at the mating site that there were many eyes to watch out for danger. Successful males that saw off their rivals were rewarded with the chance to mate and father the next generation. Afterwards, the males and females head their own separate ways. The struggles of the males had ended for another year and they could now return to deeper waters to rebuild their strength for the next mating season. For the females though, their struggles were only just beginning.
Now pregnant, it was vital that they found enough food to support both themselves and the offspring growing inside them. Together, the females scour the reef for prey finding safety in numbers. They have an advantage over the males when it comes to hunting, for as they don't have the strange dorsal fin of the males they can squeeze into small gaps among the rocks and coral to chase out any hiding fish and invertebrates. While the males chase shoals of fish in the open water, these females patrol the seabed making short work of any prey not fast enough to escape their sharp teeth.
Story: African Wild Dog
The sun blazed down upon the dry savannah. Wind scooped up particles of dust, twisting them round in little orange spirals before allowing them to return to the earth. The clear blue sky gave no promise of rain. Clouds passed overhead, rising hopes that quickly faded as they drifted on never releasing their load. In the air, black vultures circled ever watchful for a sign of death. These times brought times of plenty for these keen scavengers. But now even they were finding the search for food increasingly difficult.
Many had tried to migrate on to pastures new, but failed to find the lush greenery they craved. A lone wildebeest staggered across the dusty land every bone in his body plain to see. He would not live much longer, the vultures might be lucky today. Thirst drove him to the banks of the river. There was little water left but he took what he could. Not once did he realise the threat lying right in front of him.
His body too frail, his thirst too desperate, his dulled reactions too slow. The crocodile that had appeared to be nothing more than a piece of wood struck without warning. Powerful jaws clamped around the neck of the wildebeest that somehow found the strength to struggle and fight back against his formidable attacker. It was all in vain. The last of his strength soon faded and the crocodile was able to enjoy his meal, the ancient jaws ripping apart the carcass crunching up meat and bone. There would be nothing left of this kill.
From the dry grass, brown eyes watched the crocodile make its kill. Large ears appeared, and a long muzzle. The wildebeest was to have been her prey, her pack's prey. The crocodile had beaten them to it. Slowly, the old painted dog turned and headed away. Her coat was dull, her condition poor. They were successful hunters but for many days they'd had no luck on their hunts. Signs of collapse were showing in the weakest. Already the drought had dealt the pack a bitter blow, arriving just as the pups were born. Now there were no pups left for them to feed.
She slinked away, hunger gnawing at her insides. The eyes of the pack were on her, their leader. She was the oldest in the pack. In her time she had seen many droughts, but none as severe as this. Her scraggly band of dogs followed her. There was nothing else that they could do. They were a team, and if they lost that they would stand no chance at all of making it through the drought.
Picking their way through the dry grass, there was a sudden yelp of shock and one dog darted quickly away. The alarm was uncalled for. The lead female moved to investigate what had caused the cry. Lying in the dirt was a lion, but one that was no threat to them. This lion was dead, his once proud body drying out in the scorching sun. Already some scavengers had laid claim to the carcass, what was left did little to satisfy the wild dogs raging hunger.
They ate what they could, the lead female raising her head to gaze across the dry landscape that spread out for miles in every direction. A movement caught her eye. A reddish brown back moving across the savannah. Her eyes followed it carefully, the ears and eyes of her pack turning towards her, and then onto what had caught her attention. An impala.
Without a sound, the lead female started moving forwards, her pack spreading out to the sides to encircle their prey. The impala looked up, her dark eyes scanning her surroundings. She could not see the predators, but she knew that they were there. The lead female led the chase, leaping out of the cover of dry grass and racing towards the impala that turned and ran. Another dog came out from the side and she quickly changed direction, the two dogs running side by side behind her. Little did the impala realise that they were heading her straight towards another member of their pack lying in wait. A fourth wild dog came at her from the side, teeth raking through the impala's skin. Instinctively she kicked out at her attacker, but her dangerous hooves failed to catch flesh. In the next instant, the fifth wild dog that had been lying in wait lunged at her. The impala's reactions were quick, she turned sharply avoiding the teeth of the hidden predator and leaping away.
Their prey was escaping. This was their last chance to succeed in catching a meal for none would have the strength for another hunt. Failure would mean they would all starve. Snarling, the lead female raced ahead in pursuit of the escaping impala. With what little strength she had left she forced herself to run onwards. Her legs burned with the effort, her breaths coming out in harsh gasps. The rest of the pack were soon left trailing behind, unable to keep up. The lead female kept her eyes on the prey. The impala's speed was greater than hers, however she had greater stamina. But she could see that the impala was going to escape as the distance between them increased.
Luck was on the wild dogs side. Just as she was about to admit defeat, the lead female saw the impala trip and stumble. With a last burst of energy the dog charged forward quickly covering the distance between the impala and herself. Already the impala was clambering back onto her feet. She turned to run, but the wild dog was already there. Her powerful jaws clamped around the impala's neck. Sharp teeth ripped into her throat. The impala struck out with her hooves trying to knock back her attacker. The wild dog was caught across the face, but it didn't make her release her grip even as the blood started pouring down from a gash across her eye.
By now the rest of the hunting team were catching up. They lunged at the impala, attacking from all angles. Slowly they forced the impala onto the ground. The lead female held on until the impala had drawn her last breath. Only then did she release her grip around the animals neck.
Slowly, the lead female staggered away as the rest of her pack started to appear. These were those too weak to join in the hunt. She didn't fail to notice that several were missing. If it wasn't for this kill, many more would have died within hours. Lying on the ground, she breathed heavily blood flowing freely from the gash on her face. Her old body shuddered slightly as she watched her pack tear into the kill, but she never moved to join them.
Her brown eyes gazed across to the distant horizon where there was a flash of light. A rumble filtered down to her ears. At last the storm was coming, rain was on the way. The female lay on the ground, several of the pack moving over to her some carrying pieces of meat for her to eat, but she declined. She no longer felt the hunger that she had before.
The dark clouds moved overhead, cooling rain falling down from the sky. The old female felt the first of the rain landing on her fur. Slowly, she lowered her head for the last time. For many months she had led her pack through the drought, somehow managing to find enough food to keep most of them going. Now the rains had arrived hunting would be easier. Prey would return, they would breed. Young would dance over the fields of lush green grass unaware of the hardship their mothers had gone through to get them there. These young would make easy pickings for the pack.
It wouldn't be the old female that would lead them though. Her eyes slowly closed, her oldest daughter moving to lie down beside her resting her head lightly on her mother's back. The younger dog listened to the rhythm of her mother's heart beat until that heart beat no more.
For a long time the pack sat around close to their fallen leader, not one of them really sure of what they should do. The rain streamed down their coats, the water revitalising the dry land. In a matter of hours, fresh greenery was starting to appear flowers adding colour and insects emerging from where they had hidden away. The pack were still there when the sun rose that next morning on a completely different landscape. This land was now green and fresh, the river flowing fast and free, pools of water drawing in thirsty animals in their hoards. Not once had the daughter left her mothers side, but now with the warm sun drying her damp coat she stood up onto her feet. Her mother had brought the pack this far, now it was time for the next generation to take over.
With a final glance back at the body of her mother, the daughter took the lead. She had her mothers determination, her mothers strength, her mothers character. There was no quarrel among any other potential contenders to the status. Without question, the pack fell into line behind their new leader as they trotted off across the green land that was their home.
ACT NOW!
Protect the Moray Firth Dolphins!
The dolphins and other wildlife of the Moray Firth, Scotland, are threatened by plans to drill for oil and natural gas in the Special Area of Conservation. Such activities disturb the dolphins and other cetaceans, and can even be lethal.
Find out more and take action HERE
Urge Canon to help protect Whales
Canon have built up their reputation on the conservation of endangered species, now ask their founder, Mr. Fujio Mitarai - head of the Japanese Business Federation - to stand by that reputation and sign a statement against Japan's whaling programme.
Find out more and take action HERE
Support for Amphibians!
2008 has officially been named the Year of the Frog - a chance to save these amphibians from extinction. Yet action to save them doesn't need to happen hundreds of miles away - it can happen in your own area, your back garden, or a local park. Every little will help to change the fate of amphibians, giving both them and ourselves a future.
Sign a petition calling for support for amphibians HERE
*******
Check out The Natural World Forum for more campaigns to help wildlife and the environment!