Orangutans are the only exclusively Asian genus of extant great ape. The largest living arboreal animals, they have longer arms than the other, more terrestrial, great apes. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage. Their hair is typically reddish-brown, instead of the brown or black hair typical of other great apes.

 

Orangutans are currently found only in rainforests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra

The word "orangutan" comes from the Malay words "orang" (man) and "(h)utan" (forest); hence, "man of the forest".

Orangutans live a more solitary lifestyle than the other great apes. Most social bonds occur between adult females and their dependent and weaned offspring.

Resident females live with their offspring in defined home ranges that overlap with other adult females, who may be their relatives like mothers and sisters.

One to several resident female home ranges are encompassed within the home range of a resident male, who is their primary breeder.

During dispersal, females tend to settle in home ranges that overlap with their mothers. However, they do not interact when them any more than the other females and they do not seem to form bonds though affiliation, grooming, or agonistic support.

 

Done by; Raanita ,Khadijah ,Sanjiellia and Sherene.

THANK YOU!

ORANG UTANS

TURTLE !

Common Name: Marine turtles
Scientific Name: Cheloniidae / Dermochelyidae families


Habitat: 

Open and coastal waters, sandy beaches and islands.

·         Natuna Island, Indonesia

·         Bugsuk Island, Philippines

·         Pulau Redang, Terengganu

·         Kuala Penyu, Sabah

·         Rantau Abang, Terengganu

Status : 

Endangered - Olive ridley & Green turtles
              Critically endangered - Hawksbill & Leatherback turtles

Population:

·         Leatherback turtles - declined by more than 99%

·         Olive ridley turtles - declined by more than 95%

·         Green turtles - Some populations in Malaysia appear to be stable currently. However compared to population numbers prior to 1970, large populations in Terengganu & Sarawak have decreased significantly (more than two folds)

·         Hawksbill turtles - Large populations remain only in Sabah & Malacca. Both populations appear to be stabilising. However it should be noted that historical nesting data in Malacca extended to 1990, which is quite recent and too short term to surmise on population trend.

Background
Malaysia is fortunate to host four species of marine turtles: Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill, and Olive ridley turtles. These gentle reptiles of the sea swim great distances and come on land only to nest. They are known for their longevity among local cultures. Sadly, the number of marine turtles in most places has plummeted and some populations are on the brink of extinction.

Odds stacked against survival
Female turtles lay hundreds of eggs each nesting season. But relatively few young survive into their first year. Crabs, monitor lizards and birds eat the eggs or prey on hatchlings as they make their way out to sea. In the shallows, many more hatchlings are taken by fish. When humans harvest turtle eggs, disturb or degrade nesting beaches, the young turtles’ chances for survival slide further.
 
They are threatened by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, excessive egg-collection, fishery-related mortality (for example, accidental mortality in the nets and long-lines of fishing fleets), pollution, and coastal development. Turtles that survive take decades to reach maturity and start breeding. But escalating mortality means fewer turtles are living long enough to reproduce. Effective conservation means protecting turtles at all stages of their life cycle. 

Reasons for Endangerment

  The erosion of beaches is also wiping out the population of the turtles. Erosion is the sand on the beach sliding over top of the eggs so it either crushes or buries the whole nest of eggs. Since the Leatherback has such a large size, it is caught in most all nets or the pollution that it encounters at sea. The biggest issue in the endangerment of the Sea Turtle is propably the pollution that it encounters. A few sea turtles that have washed up on the beach, and have been reported to have swallowed plastics and other pollution they mistake for jellyfish.

 There are many places in the world where the population of the Leatherback has barely declined, and some places where it has declined drastically. Most of the population has declined around Malasia, India, Shri Lanka, Thailand, and even Tobago. In some places, the population of the Leatherback Sea Turtle has gone up a lot. One of these places is Surinam. 

  

Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea)

 Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas)

Olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea)

GROUPS THAT HELP :

·         WWF Malaysia

·         HEART (Help Endangered Animals-Ridley Turtles) 

·         STC, the World's Oldest Sea Turtle Conservation Group 

             

 Prepared by, 

Nur Amalina

Karyna 

Khadijah

Nurul Adlina

Siti Sarah

Rhinoceros :)

Rhinoceroses are big, tough-skinned animals of Africa and southern Asia.African black and white rhinos and the smaller Sumatran rhino have 2 horns in the middle of their heads. Indian and Javan  rhinos have just one.


Rhinoceros are killed by humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and which are used by some cultures for ornamental or (largely pseudo-scientific) medicinal purposes. The horns are made of keratin, the same type of protein that makes up hair and fingernails.Powdered rhino horn is believed by some to be a love potion, so thousands of rhinos have been slaughtered and most kinds are now endangered species.Four of the five species of rhinoceros are in danger of extinction in the wild, due mostly to illegal trade in rhino horn and increasingly, to habitat loss. If not for conservation efforts, there would be no wild rhinos alive today.

If we want this animal to survive we need to start farming it. That's right - big, privately run ranches must be created, rhinos raised and their horns harvested. Don't worry, I'm not talking about slaughtering them: rhino horn is made of the same stuff as your fingernails, you can cut it off and the damn thing will even grow back - it's a sustainable resource.

Give the consumers what they want, flood the market, bring down the price, regulate the industry and we'll finally be able to save the rhino. If we don't, the only place our kids will see these animals will be in museums.

Saving Rhinos is dedicated to raising public awareness about the illegal rhino horn trade and exposing the truth behind this gruesome international business.Local educational community organizations who are working to increase support for rhino conservation can make a real difference.

Ten Good Reasons to save Rhinos...

1. Rhinos are critically endangered

2. Rhinos have been around for 50 million years

3. Humans have caused the drastic decline in numbers

4. Rhinos are an umbrella species

When protecting and managing a rhino population, rangers and scientists take in account all the other species interacting with rhinos and those sharing the same habitat. When rhinos are protected, many other species are too; not only mammals but also birds, reptiles, fish and insects as well as plants.

5. Rhinos are charismatic mega-herbivores!

By focusing on a well-known animal such as a rhino (or, to use the jargon, a charismatic mega-herbivore), we can raise more money and consequently support more conservation programmes benefiting animal and plant species sharing their habitat.

6. Rhinos attract visitors and tourists

Rhinos are the second-biggest living land mammals after the elephants. Together with lion, giraffe, chimpanzee and polar bear, the rhino is one of the most popular species with zoo visitors. In the wild, rhinos attract tourists who bring money to national parks and local communities. They are one of the “Big Five”, along with lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo.

7. In situ conservation programmes need our help

Protecting and managing a rhino population is a real challenge that costs energy and money. Rhino-range countries need our financial support, and benefit from shared expertise and exchange of ideas.

8. Money funds effective conservation programmes that save rhinos

We know that conservation efforts save species. The Southern white rhino would not exist today if it were not for the work of a few determined people, who brought together the 200 or so individuals surviving, for a managed breeding and re-introduction programme. Today, there are some 17,500 Southern white rhinos.

9. Many people don’t know that rhinos are critically endangered

10. We all have an opportunity to get involved! You can help us raise awareness of the plight of the rhino! The more we do all together, the more people will learn about rhinos and the more field projects we will be able to support. There are lots of fundraising ideas scattered in the 'Support us' section, as well as ways to donate directly to Save the Rhino. And there are rhino-themed games and puzzles in the 'Rhino info' section!

prepared by,
Azizatul :D
Shahirah :)
Iqffa :D
Balqis :)

Sharks

SHARK

Sharks (superorder Selachimorpha) are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago.

 

Since that time, sharks have diversified into 440 species, ranging in size from the small dwarf lanternshark, Etmopterus perryi, a deep sea species of only 17 centimetres (6.7 in) in length, to the whale shark, Rhincodon typus, the largest fish, which reaches approximately 12 metres (39 ft 4 in) and which feeds only on plankton, squid, and small fish by filter feeding.

Sharks are found in all seas and are common down to depths of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). They generally do not live in freshwater, with a few exceptions such as the bull shark and the river shark which can live both in seawater and freshwater.

They breathe through five to seven gill slits. Sharks have a covering of dermal denticles that protects their skin from damage and parasites, and improves their fluid dynamics so the shark can move faster. They have several sets of replaceable teeth.

The Shark’s Body Structure

Sharks have a boneless skeleton made up of a tough, elastic substance. The name of this substance is "cartilage". Some of the shark species have rounded bodies like a torpedo. Others have flat bodies as thin as a playing card. Others have pectoral fins that help balance the front of their body.

harks have a large liver with oil that helps sharks from sinking. Still they must constantly swim to keep from sinking. Sharks have several rows of teeth. New teeth replace old ones regularly, every one to two weeks. Some have molar like grinding teeth, others have razor cutting teeth. Lastly, some have pointed teeth. Most sharks have their mouths on the undersides of their heads. A few have their mouths in front of their heads like the Whale and Angel Sharks.

Small tooth-like scales cover a shark's body. These scales are called placid scales, and they make a shark's skin very rough. Dried shark skin was called shagreen and was used for sandpaper. There are five to seven slits in the skin of each shark on each side of their head. Water passes through these slits after the oxygen is taken. Sharks can't pump water through their gills, so they rely on constant swimming to force water through their mouth and through the gills. This is called ramjet ventilation.

Species

These are the examples for well-known shark species.

Great white sharks

Tiger shark

Blue Shark

Mako Shark

Hammerhead

Habitats

Sharks are in equilibrium with the populations of their prey and thus play a role in maintaining a stable marine ecosystem.

In the oceans sharks are the most widely distributed hunters weighing more than 50 kg. They are called top predators because they are at the peak of the food pyramid. Some sharks are so-called super-predators which means they have no natural enemies except parasites and pathogens. White sharks, tiger sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, as well as ocean mammals such as killer whales and sperm whales belong to the oceans' so-called super-predators.

Sharks play a key role as top predators. Directly or indirectly they regulate the natural balance of the populations of this food pyramid. Because they usually hunt older, weaker or sick prey, they also help maintain the health of the prey population. Healthy and strong individuals thus have a better chance of reproducing and passing on their genes.

Why are they endangered?

The reason that so many sharks are listed on the endangered sharks list today, and why so many more species are constantly being added to the list as time goes on, is mainly because of the actions of humans.

There is a huge market for the different parts of the shark such as the fins, teeth and cartilage. As one shark fin can be sold for up to $100.00! They use the fins in shark fin soup and the fins add no flavour to the soup and only texture! They die a cruel death. The result of the growth of this market is the increased need for shark fishing. Commercial fishing is to blame for the millions of shark deaths every year and unfortunately this number will continue to rise if something isn’t done to stop it.

The destruction of previous shark habitat is another cause for concern because it too can negatively affect the reproduction process of the shark. One of the most critical habitat environments known as the mangrove is constantly being destroyed by commercial fishing nets, large barge ships, cruise liners and their over-sized watercraft. The mangrove is the area where shark breeding takes place and without it, sharks do not have a safe place to raise their young. The constant slaughtering of sharks by humans and the destruction of precious habitat are two main causes for the massive decline in overall shark.

Examples of endangered shark species are shown as following.

-          Angular angel shark

-          Basking shark

-          Bigeye thresher

-          Bluegrey carpetshark

-          Borneo shark

-          Dusky shark

-          Ganges shark

-          Great White shark

-          Gulper shark.

-          Oceanic Whitetip shark

-          Tiger shark

-          Pondicherry shark.

-          Porbeagle shark

-          School shark

-          Smooth Hammerhead

-          Smoothback angelshark

-          Smoothtooth blacktip shark

-          Speartooth shark

-          Whale shark

-          Whitefin topeshark

The following are several organization which helps to conserve and preserve sharks.

i.    Oceana

-      The largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Visit their website for more information at http://na.oceana.org/ .

ii.   Shark Trust

-     The Shark Trust is the UK charity for shark conservation. The Trust works to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education, influence and action. Have a look at their official website at http://www.sharktrust.org/

iii.   Shark Research Committee (SRC)

-     The Shark Research is conducting original research on the general biology, behavior and ecology of sharks indigenous to waters off the Pacific Coast, with particular emphasis on potentially dangerous species. Visit their website at http://www.sharkresearchcommittee.com/ to support them !

Prepared by,
- Keng Jean
- Le Ee
- Li Yin
- Rashmika