Category Archives: photos

Photo of the Day: A Rhino with an Entourage

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We absolutely adore rhinos at Vanishing Species, and we’ll use any excuse to publish a rhino photo.

Take a good look at this photo. Can you see the little black bird in the bush and the Cattle Egret on the ground? It’s no coincidence that this rhino is traveling with an entourage. The black bird is a Fork-Tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), and both birds know that the rhino is grazing for food. As the huge rhino walks about and grazes, it kicks up the earth and disturbs the surrounding vegetation. This is turn flushes out all sorts of little bugs, which are quickly grabbed by the watchful birds. In return, the birds may be the first to detect any threats nearby. Everyone wins!

Rhino grazing with a cattle egret and a fork-tailed drongo

The White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species  as “near threatened”.
The latest population estimate is 17,480 (December 2007)

Photo of the Day: Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

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Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat

Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, photo by Jade, details below

The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat may have a funny name, but it’s plight is deadly serious: it’s one of the rarest large mammals not only in Australia but in the world.

In 2003 the total population consisted of 113 individuals, including only around 30 breeding females.

Their historic range used to extend across 3 states, but they are now found in a tiny 3 km² area within the Epping Forest National Park in Queensland.

This photograph was taken in a museum.

The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “critically endangered”
Population trend: stable 

(Photo by “Jade” used under a Creative Common licence)

Photo of the Day: Tawny Frogmouth

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You aren’t allowed to argue with us on this one (although there’s nothing wrong with starting a debate) –The Tawny Frog mouth is Australia’s most charming bird.

It’s a pleasure to introduce you to ‘Kermit’, the friendly Frogmouth at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Project in Tasmania.

Kermit the Frogmouth, by Anna Tinker

And here’s a very sweet video of Kermit working for his snack:

The Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigides)
is on the IUCN Redlist for Threatened Species as “least concern“

Photo of the Day: Numbat

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Numbat

Numbat by Aussie Matt, details below

Like so many Australian animals, this sweet little guy is a marsupial, meaning their young are born relatively undeveloped and are raised in a pouch.  Numbats live on a diet of termites, and have a long sticky tongue especially adapted for this.

The Numbat is under threat from habitat loss through land clearing and fire, and are killed by introduced predators such as feral foxes and cats.

It is estimated that there are fewer than 1,000 Numbats alive today.

The Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “endangered“
Population trend: decreasing

(Photo by “Aussie Matt” used under a Creative Common licence)

Photo of the Day: Two Young Gorillas playing

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Two young gorillas, photo by Hjalmar Gislason, details below

Did you know: despite popular portrayal as being aggressive, Gorillas are actually very gentle and highly social animals.

Gorillas have a complex variety of communications, including grunts, coughs and hoots.  Like humans, they also communicate with one another though facial expressions and body postures.

This photo was taken in the wild in Rwanda.

The Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “endangered“
Population trend: decreasing 

(Photo by Hjalmar Gislason used under a Creative Common licence)

Photo of the Day: Silverback Gorilla

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Silverback Gorilla, photo by Hjalmar Gislason, details below

“Silverback” gorillas are not different species, but mature adult males with a band of silver (grey) hair across their backs.  A large silverback gorilla can weigh up to around 250kg (around 550 lb).

Gorillas live in family groups (called “troops”) consisting of one (or sometimes more) silverback males and between two and ten females and their young.

This photo was taken in the wild in Rwanda.

The Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “endangered“
Population trend: decreasing 

(Photo by Hjalmar Gislason used under a Creative Common licence)

Photo of the Day: Young Eastern Gorilla eating

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Young Gorilla, photo by Hjalmar Gislason, details below

Young gorillas, like human children, spend much time playing: climbing trees, swinging from branches and chasing each other.

Born after an 8½ month pregnancy, single births are most common, but twins occasionally occur.  Infant gorillas are born tiny and almost entirely helpless, weighing just 2kg (4lb).

Young gorillas learn to crawl at around 2 months, and to walk at around 8 or 9 months and mother gorillas nurse their babies for about 3 years.

This photo was taken in the wild, in Rwanda.

The Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “endangered“
Population trend: decreasing 

(Photo by Hjalmar Gislason used under a Creative Common licence)

Photo of the Day: Western Lowland Gorilla

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Gorilla

Gorilla by Richard Ashurst, details below

Isn’t he beautiful?? Gorillas are the largest of all primates, and adult males can weigh up to around 250kg (around 550 lb). Females weigh about half the size of males.

Gorillas are highly intelligent, make use of tools, and in captivity, some Gorillas have been taught to use sign-language.

The main threats to Gorillas include commercial hunting (both for bushmeat and trophy hunting), loss of habitat due to logging and climate change, and the Ebola virus.

This photo was taken in captivity at Melbourne Zoo in Australia.

The Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla, subspecies gorilla)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as ”critically endangered“
Population trend: decreasing 

(Photo by Richard Ashurst used under a Creative Common licence)

Life as a Safari Guide: A Kruger Leopard Encounter

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Leopard

Leopard, S130 Kruger National Park, by Anna Tinker

It feels like we’re already well into 2012, but this week I’ve been remembering some of the best moments of last year, and looking forward to the best of this year.

Last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to work as a safari guide in Kruger Park. During this time, there were so many unforgettable wildlife encounters, but this one was certainly a highlight for me!

I first spotted this leopard from quite a distance. I could see her sitting in the grass at the road’s edge and I stopped. From past experience, I knew that leopards will usually bolt for cover when they realize they’ve been seen.

But this one didn’t bolt at all! When I pulled up beside her, she casually stood up, walked a few feet away and flopped back down again. We watched for close to 10 minutes as she walked around in the bushes by the vehicle. I couldn’t believe how relaxed she was!

She even walked out into the road. I tried to film it, but I was just too excited to hold the camera. We were the only vehicle at this sighting, and if you’ve been to Kruger Park, you’ll understand that in itself is tremendously special.

It’s estimated that Kruger National Park holds about 1,000 leopards, but unlike this one, most of them prefer to stay undercover and aren’t commonly seen.

Will YOU be looking for leopards in 2012? I know I will! And have you got any great leopard encounters to share with us?

The Leopard (Panthera pardus)
is on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species as “near threatened”.
Population trend: decreasing