Beaches
From KwaZulu-Natal to the Wild Coast, from the Eastern Cape to the West Coast, South Africa boasts more than 3 000km of coastline. Pristine beaches, fishing communities, golf estates, luxury hotels and guest-houses dot the landscape as you explore the marine wonderland that is South Africa.

Bird Tours
With nearly a thousand bird species, no wonder South Africa has become one of the Worlds bird hot spots. Bunji Jumping
Bloukrans River Bridge - IT IS OFFICIAL - You can now bungi-jump the highest commercial bungi jump in the world, usurping the position previously held by Vic Falls. The bridge is 216 m high but the jump is only about 160 m. You jump from the arch support of the bridge, not from the road and getting there and back is an experience in itself. After the jump you are winched back up to the bridge.

Cango Caves
The Cango Caves lie in the Swartberg Mountain Range in a limestone belt measuring 1,5km in width and almost 16km in length. The present tourist route extends for 1,2km into the cave, with a further 4,1km being kept closed to the public for conservation reasons. Cango Wildlife Ranch
The Cango Wildlife Ranch is situated just outside Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, and since its inception in 1977 it has grown to become one of the largest tourist attractions of the region. In 1988 the Ranch developed a facility known as Cheetahland, within its boarders, in an effort to promote its goal of making the public aware of endangered species. This unique facility is home to a large variety of big cats, which can be viewed from an elevated “catwalk” providing an uninhibited view of these magnificent creatures. Cape of Good Hope Reserve
Located at the southern most tip of the peninsula is the nature reserve, with fantastic panoramic views of the Cape of Good Hope from the viewing area, reached by cable car. The area has a dry and desolate look but this is deceptive as more than half the flowering plants of the peninsula, like the protea grow here. The reserve is also home to zebra, baboon, ostrich and eland. En route from Cape Town, the penguin colony at Boulder’s Bay is worth stopping for as is Simon’s Town a naval town and the country’s third oldest European settlement. Cape Town
Cape Town is the most fabulously diverse and vibrant city, with great natural beauty, fascinating architecture, great restaurants, bars and nightlife. Whether you hike to the top or take the cable car, the views from Table Mountain are astounding. See the famous ‘dassies (rock rabbits) scampering aound the rocks and also the imposing Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak which together with Table Mountain form the Cape Peninsula. Take a ferry from the V & A Waterfront to Robben Island to see the tiny cell which held Nelson Mandela for almost three decades. Cape Winelands
Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town are the beautiful towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Constancia in the heart of the wine producing area. Visit some of the beautiful wine estates and taste some of the best wines in the world. Cradle of Humankind
Declared a World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind west of Johannesburg includes, among its numerous sites, the Sterkfontein Caves, where anthropologist Dr Robert Broom discovered the skull of Mrs. Ples, a three-million year-old hominid, in 1936. At the time she was thought to be the closest evidence of the “missing link” to be found.

Drakensberg Mountains
Recently proclaimed a World Heritage Site the mighty Drakensberg Mountains offer panoramic views of towering peaks, waterfalls and sparkling rock pools. Prime sites include Cathedral Peak, Monks Cowl, Champagne Castle, Giant’s Castle, Cathkin Peak and the geological phenomenon of the Drakensberg Ampitheatre, all of which are scattered across this majestic range. One of the most breath taking sights is Tugela Falls where the river rushes for over a mile over sheer cliffs and cascades through a dramatic gorge to the valley floor. Durban
Durban is a holiday makers paradise with a sub tropical climate and carnival atmosphere. The amusement area is known as the Golden Mile which actually stretches for 4 miles and offers endless attractions and entertainment. There is a rapidly expanding harbour-front area to explore as well as the vibrant Victoria Street Market at the centre of Durban’s Indian community. Garden Route
Whether approached from Cape Town or from Port Elizabeth, in the east, the Garden Route holds visitors spellbound with its abundance of rivers, spectacular mountain passes, lagoons, lakes, beaches and birdlife.The highlights of this amazing area are too numerous to mention but a few include Tsitskamma National Park- a area of ancient forest with hiking trails, and a long coastal plateau which stretches five kilometres out to sea. The park is alive with fynbos, wild orchids, otters, baboons small buck and over 280 bird species.
The Storms River area offers a host of activities from abseling, canopy walking, hiking and black water tubing. With its sucession of bays, white sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs and tidal pools it is not suprising that some of the premier coastal resorts are along the Garden Route. Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
On the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal this massive park has recently been declared a World Heritage Site. Extending over 680 acres of wilderness there are at least five different ecosystems represented including a vast lake, coral reefs, a sub tropical wilderness, reed covered islands swamps and towering dunes. With such diverse ecology the park is home to all forms of wildlife including 6000 white pelicans, 800 hippos, 1200 crocodiles as well as turtles, flamingos, shark, whales and dolphins. The Greater St Lucia Wetlands lie 136 miles north of Durban. Hermanus
The local whale crier of Hermanus, rings his bell to alert people that the whales have arrived. From May/June through to November these massive and fascinating creatures come close to the shore offering an exhilarating sight. Highgate Ostrich farm
Highgate, established almost 100 years ago by the Hooper family, is a large Ostrich Farming concern producing primarily feathers and ostrich by-products. Highgate opened to the public in 1938 and since then many thousands of visitors from all over the world have been entertained on the establishment.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park
The Hluhluwe and Umfolozi reserves were founded in 1895 and are the oldest such sanctuaries in Africa. It was here that the world- acclaimed Operation Rhino was introduced during the 1960s, successfully capturing and relocating white rhino to havens within South Africa and abroad. As a result, this country’s white rhino population is now 12 times the 1960 count of 500. Today a single park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is focusing its efforts on saving the endangered black rhino, whose number in Africa has dwindled from 14 000 to a pitiful 2 550 in the past decade. You’ll find at least a fifth of the world’s black and white rhino population here. Hout Bay
Hout Bay is a charming fishing village overlooked by majestic mountains, it combines the sophistication of the Riviera with the rugged beauty of Africa. As well as being a tranquil haven to relax or swim there are numerous restaurants & cosy pubs.Visit THE WORLD OF BIRDS or hop on to a cruise boat out of the harbour to see Seal Island & the bird life on offer. The famous Fish on the Rocks, English Fish & Chips, at the end of the harbour boasts the best calamari, Snoek & chips in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to promote & conserve the indigenous flora of southern Africa. Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the estate covers 528 hectares and includes both a cultivated garden and nature reserve. There are several trails through natural forests & access to Table Mountain is possible via marked routes up, Skeleton Gorge & Nursery ravine. The restaurant is open daily, as well as a book & curio shop to browse through. Every Sunday from December to March the Gardens host Summer Sunset Concerts, featuring a wide variety of music both local & classical. Take along a picnic as this is something no visitor to the Cape should miss. Kruger National Park
Covering an area of nearly five million acres, the Kruger National Park is the largest reserve in South Africa and home to an amazing variety of animals including the ‘big five’- lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Whether staying in the park in a private reserve or just close by, the best way to explore is on a dawn or dusk game drive with an experienced ranger who impart their knowledge and experience. Safaris in an open topped jeep, or on foot can afford amazing close up views of the worlds greatest variety of wildlife. The park is approximately 220 miles from Johannesburg and can be reached by scheduled flights, chartered planes into the private reserves or by road. Madikwe Game Reserve
As South Africa’s fourth largest game reserve, Madikwe is home to 31 species of some 10,000 animals including the ‘big five’, wild dog, white and black rhino, hyena and cheetah. The area comprises rocky ravines, mountain plateaux, open grassland, savannas and riverine forests. The malaria free reserve is just 4 miles south of the Botswana boarder and about a four hour drive north of Johannesburg. Marakele National Park
The Marakele National Park lies in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains and has an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa. The park is characterised by contrasting majestic mountain landscapes, grass clad rolling hills and deep valleys. Rare finds of yellow wood and cedar trees, 16 foot high cycads and tree ferns, are some of the plant species found here. All the large game species from elephant and rhino to the big cats as well as an amazing variety of birds, including the endangered Cape vultures are to be found in the park. The malaria free reserve is 155 miles north of Johannesberg. Midlands Meander
Only an hours drive west of Durban is the well sign posted arts and crafts route known as the Midlands Meander. With over 100 places to visit, ranging art studios to rustic pubs. Visit the Natal Railway Museum, a magnet for steam enthusiasts, Midmar Dam a centre for watersports or the area of Dargle, for super flyfishing. Namaqualand
Every Spring (August to September), the Northern Cape comes alive with vast fields of daisies in a natural splash of vivid colour. Fed by winter rains, the flower grounds of Namaqualand are a photographer’s delight. Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe
The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa and runs daily between George and Knysna. The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna and encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa in the heart of the Garden Route Lake District.

Pilanesberg National Park
The park offers a malaria free game experience with over 8000 large animals, including the ‘big five’ and over 350 species of birds. The game sanctuary is covered with grasslands and granite outcrops fashioned from a desolate volcanic crater in the late seventies when long vanished wildlife was re introduced. Just 123 miles from Johannesburg close to the Sun City Resort, Pilansberg can be reached by road or flights into Sun City. Port Elizabeth
The gateway to the Garden Route, is the ‘Friendly City’ of Port Elizabeth. Founded in 1820 when some 4000 British families settled here to start a new life, the city is replete with their graceful period houses. With miles of wide sandy beaches it is a magnet for swimmers, surfers and sailors.

Robben Island
A short cruise from Cape Town ’s V&A Waterfront by ferry, this legendary island is a must-see on any newcomer’s itinerary. This is where Nelson Mandela and his comrades were imprisoned for decades during the Apartheid era. Former inmates will take you on an insightful tour of the prison grounds. This historical island is now a World Heritage Site and a proclaimed nature conservation area. Shark Diving
South Africa was one of the first Countries Worldwide to make the Great White a protected species. We can offer you the chance to get extremely close to these awesome animals. You can go on a Shark dive or alternatively just view them from the safety of the boat.

Soweto
Just South of Johannesburg lies Soweto - the largest of South Africa ’s “townships”. This vibrant city is home to some 2 million people and a number of historical sights. A typical visit to Soweto includes a stop at a traditional shebeen (drinking hall), where you can savor local beer, food and hospitality, as well as a visit to the homes where Nobel laureates Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu once lived.

Table Mountain
Over the centuries it has become one of South Africa’s most famous landmarks. The steep cliffs and rocky outcrops of the mountain play home to a number of plants and animals. The mountain is home to approximately 1470 species of plants. Take a guided walk on one of the many routes or simply ride the cable car to the top - it will be one of your lasting memories of SA.

The Addo Elephant National Park
Deep within the shadows of the dense valley of the Sundays River Region, lies the Addo Elephant Park. It is a sanctuary for over 200 elephants who belong to an isolated gene pool, and are therefore smaller than other African elephant, with a reddish hue. The area is home to the unique flightless dung beatle found almost exclusively in Addo, and given right of way on the roads in the park. The Baxter Theatre
The Baxter is a World Class South African theatre situated in Rondebosch at the foot of Devils Peak. The exciting and diverse artistic programme ranges from celebrated South African works to international productions. Every year more than 350,000 people watch more than 1000 performances at this popular theatre. Two Oceans Aquarium
What makes the Two Oceans Aquarium so diverse is the location. It is here that the cold water of the Atlantic meets the warmer Indian Ocean. Few places in the world are in a more favourable position to feature the flora and fauna of oceans so different in temperature and the life they support. The construction and outstanding success of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront was the catalyst in reawakening this dream of an Aquarium. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
The Waterfront Company was formed in 1988 with a mandate to develop the historic harbour as a mixed use area, focusing on tourism and commerce with the continuing operation of the working harbour. Besides banks, shops, restaurants & cinemas the waterfront provides a variety of entertainment for the whole family. Visit the Two Oceans aquarium, Cyber world & the S.A. Maritime Museum, Scratch Patch & craft markets. If that is not enough you can stroll & enjoy the spectacle of buskers, street entertainers & musicians or enjoy the lively music & acts at the Amphitheatre. Helicopter trips, leisure boat trips as well as trips to Robben Island run from here. White Water Rafting
The Breede River (Western Cape) offers a weekend breakaway that is as good as a holiday. Surrounded by its tranquil beauty, this river is an exciting, yet safe rafting adventure. The trip requires no experience and the whole family is welcome to participate.

Zulu Battlefields
Relive the horror of some of the most bloody battles fought between the British and Zulu warriors. Isandlwana, where British troops were massacred by the Zulu army and Rorke’s Drift where a handful of British soldiers held a mighty Zulu regiment at bay. The battles are brought vividly to life by historians and expert guides. Close to the town of Dundee and about 175 miles from Durban. AND IN CLOSING…
Each province has its own attractions and varies from each other. From weather conditions, to its own individual beauty and scenery. Gauteng area and regions offer most of the luxury game reserves and an abundance of world-class casinos, including Montecasino, Gold Reef City, Emperors Palace, Carnival City and the Lost City at Sun City. Kwazulu Natal offers incredible history on the Zulu wars, enjoy a journey through the battlefields and Oceanside golf courses. All our provinces have world class golf courses, some designed by world famous golf pro’s. Beauty, health and wellness spa’s are found in all our provinces. South Africa is acknowledged as an international conference destination. We offer a variety of types of accommodation from the back packers lodges to the 5* hotels. Our infrastructure and technology makes it possible for any businessman or leisure traveler to have all the amenities on hand for an unforgettable holiday or business trip. Come and enjoy our country with us!

Like other tropical locations, the weather in Hawaiian Islands is generally pleasant and warm but at higher elevations, the weather changes abruptly. Millions of seabirds as well as wetland birds find habitat in these remote islands. It is said that out of (roughly estimated) 283 species in Hawaii, 90% are found nowhere except Hawaii. The beauty of Hawaii and large variety of birds makes it a perfect place for birding.

In the main land, the class of birds, that strikes the visitors is, seabirds. Noddies, Albatross, Frigate birds, Terns, Tropicbirds, and Boobies are some of the seabirds in Hawaii which don’t require visitors to search for them. These can easily be seen from land, anywhere in Hawaii. Don’t forget to see the Hawaiian Petrel and Newell’s Shearwater. If you are interested in watching the breeding birds, you will have to catch some height to have a better view of it. It will also give you a chance to see some rare migrant seabirds.

Most famous wetland species in Hawaii are Laysan Duck, Nene and Koloa. Laysan Duck is limited to Layson Island. Koloa can be seen in Kauai, where it is found in large number. Nene is Hawaiian goose and named as the state bird of Hawaii. This endangered specie is still fighting for its long-term survival, as currently; only 500 nenes exist in the whole Hawaiian Islands. You can see nene in the state parks of Maui, and the Big Island. Moreover, Alala is the Hawaiian native crow which is endangered as well.

Another must-see bird in Hawaii is Pueo, the Hawaiian owl. The locals consider it a good sign if you spot a Pueo. Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are the islands where you can see the short-eared owl at any time in the day. You can visit Waimea Canyon for watching Pueo as well as other topical birds.

Molakoi and Kauai are two islands which you must visit if you are looking for birding. In some states; Native endangered birds of Hawaii have been kept under special care and strenuous protection in parks to give them natural environment. If you visit the state I suggest you grab a rented Nissan or other vehicle and explore all the islands if you have time.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Mauna Kea State Park in Big Island are two destinations in Hawaiian Islands which have good varieties of native birds. Flora and fauna are the birds, worth to be seen in the Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea Point which is located at the north shore of Kauai is an ideal place for seabirds sighting.

Kokee state park in Kauai is one of the biggest sanctuaries for endangered native birds of Hawaii. Red colored apapane and iiwi, endangered albatross and olive-green colored amakihi must be seen here. You can also watch the Red Polynesian Junglefowl and honeycreepers which are the most common native bird in Hawaii. Nearly 32 species of these alien birds are known to breed in this park.

India is the large country with diverse landscapes with extremes on the land limits. India lies on the southern hemisphere with surrounded by almost on three sides. On the north of India, it has one of the mightiest mountain range, The Himalayas. On the other hand, India has a long coastline ranging up to 7000km. This diversity in landforms is also blessed with diversity of flora and fauna in India.

India is characterized with unique richness and diversity of its vegetation and wildlife. India?s dense forest reserves are the perfect abode for its equally dense wildlife which includes about 350 mammal species, more than 1200 species of birds in nearly 2100 forms and more than 30,000 species of insects. Besides this, there is rich wealth of marine life having number of species of fish, amphibian and reptiles. More than 75 national parks, 425 sanctuaries cover over 4.5% of India?s geographical area. Indian wildlife has got important place in its rich heritage and culture. Many animals and plants are worshipped and are regarded as the companions in India.

Number of national parks and bird sanctuaries mark the India terrain from Ladakh in Himalayas to Southern tip of Tamil Nadu. In India, these parks and sanctuaries are reserved areas where no human activity can take place, regularized under the special act. These special areas are maintained for the conservation of endangered species of wildlife in India. Bengal Tigers, the Asiatic Elephant, Lion, the Snow Leopard and Siberian Crane are the endangered species in India. These conservation efforts are paying off as there is regular increase in population of wild Elephant, tiger and leopard.

Jim Corbett national Park in the foothills of Himalayas is the first national park of India having great variety of mammals and over 585 bird species. You can explore in their natural habitat big mammals like elephant, sambhar, swamp deer, cheetal, wild boar, tiger, panther, hyena, black bear, sloth bear, Great Indian one horned rhinoceros, golden langur, wolf, cats in foothills of Himalayas and western Himalayas.

The most reputed are the Kanha national park and Bandhavgarh national park in central India having dense forests and dense population of wildlife. Kanha houses the largest original tiger reserves. Species of swamp deer are found in Kanha National Park and Dudhwa national park in Uttar Pradesh. Most of the national parks and sanctuaries are found in northern part of India but South India too has its portion e.g. Madumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur Tiger reserves, Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka. Each sanctuary and national park supports several species of wildlife, while at the same time, some are well known for one particular species. In some wildlife sanctuaries in India you can even see rare or endangered species.

To explore Wildlife in India, one can take advantage of various wildlife tour packages offered by many tour operators in India. Some of India’s famous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks include :

Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)

Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan)

Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan)

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Rajashtan)

Kaziranga National Park (Assam)

Manas National Park (Assam)

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (Kerala)

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)

Sunderban Tiger Reserve (West Bengal)

Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh)

Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh)

Panna National Park (Madhya Pradesh)

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat)

Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh)

Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh)

The wildlife of South India is as exotic as the destination itself. The gorgeous green forests of this land shelter a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered species. In an attempt to conserve its rich natural heritage, this incredible destination of India has established several National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. So, are you ready for the splendid sights!

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Idukki district, Kerala

Main Highlight: A variety of Fauna

Other Attractions: Tea and Coffee gardens in the district

Best Time To Visit: From December to April

Proud of its wide variety of wildlife, scenic beauty and a charming lake, the sanctuary covers an area of 77 sq km. Here you can sight animals like tiger, elephant, deer, Jungle Cat, langur, leopard, wild boar, barking deer etc.

Eravikulam National Park

Location: Kerala

Main Highlight: Endangered Nilgiri Tahr

Other Attractions: Scenic Beauty

Best Time To Visit: From September to February

Popular for its endangered Nilgiri Tahr population, this Park is also a home to several other attractions like tiger, leopard, gaur, Atlas moth(largest moth in the world), sambhar, elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-Tailed Macaque and langur. Anamudi, the highest peak of South India is located in this Park. Amazing avian species are also found here.

Bandipur National Park

Location: Karnataka

Main Highlight: Asian Elephants and Tigers

Best Time To Visit: From March to August

It is a Tiger Reserve with a good population of tigers. Its grassy woodland, a diverse array of wildlife and the Moyar river make it a hit with tourists. This Park is under consideration by the UNESCO to be selected as a World Heritage Site. It is also popular for sandalwood trees and rare species of flora.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Location: Kerala

Main Highlight: Amazing Bird Species

Other Attractions: Houseboat and motorboat cruise

Best Time To Visit: From November to February

It is a bird’s paradise located on the banks of the charming Vembanad Lake. A home to both native and migratory bird, the sanctuary also provides shelter to the endangered Siberian cranes. Some of the other birds sighted here are Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owls, Egrets, Herons Water Ducks, Parrots, Teal, Larks, Flycatchers and Wood Beetle.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Tamil Nadu

Main Highlight: Bird Species

Best Time To Visit: From February to June

It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, at the foothills of the Blue Mountains. It is known for both animal and bird species. Some of the wildlife found here are langur, tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, sloth bear, elephants, spotted deer, mouse deer, flying squirrel etc.

Explore these wildlife destinations to stir your imagination!

Bestowed with a varied topography, India is home to a rich and varied wildlife. Known for its unique features, the wildlife of India attract wildlife enthusiasts and common traveller from all over the world. With the aim to save the wildlife of the country from poaching or other man-made destruction, government of India declared the wildlife areas as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Presently India is home to dozens of wildlife protected areas providing natural habitat to wild species. One can spot massive elephants to fierce beast tigers to small hare in the wildlife sanctuary and national parks of India. Some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries of India are as follows.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan) : Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a World Heritage Site. Situated in Bharatpur town of Rajasthan, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary spreads over 29 sq km. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is home to more than 400 bird species including domestic as well as migratory birds. Though the bird sanctuary remain full of birds round the year, but during the winter season the migratory birds the caravan of local birds. The Siberian Crane is the special attraction of the park, the birds visit the park every winter in large number. Other foreign bird species visiting the park include Cranes, Egrets, Pelicans, Ibises, Ducks and Geese. If you want to enjoy the bird watching at its best hire a cycle-rickshaw at the park gate and explore the every nook and corner without burning your calories much.

Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan):Known for tigers, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Rajasthan. Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in one of the protected wildlife areas of the country, where Project Tiger remained successful. Set amidst the Aravalli Hills, Sariska is full is covered with thorny deciduous forests. Besides tigers, you can spot a number of other wild animals such as leopard, wild dog, sambar, chital, wild boar, hare, nilgai, civet, four-horned antelope, gaur (Indian bison) and porcupine. Sariska is also home to ruins of the Kankwari fort, the ancient Shiva Neelkanth temples and a Palace of Maharajas of Alwar, now converted into a heritage hotel.

Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan) : One of the important wildlife sanctuaries of India, Ranthambore National Park lies in Rajasthan. The national park with an area of 392 sq kms is set at the junction of Aravali and Vindhyas mountain ranges. Indian tiger is celebrity figure at the national park, in addition to this you can spot several other faunal species such as leopards, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, wild boars, gazelles, sambar and nilgai. Other attractions of Ranthambore include reptiles like snub nosed crocodiles, lizards, tortoise, cobras, kraits, turtles, Indian python, rat snakes and Indian chameleon.You can spot the bird species such as Indian horned owl, spoonbills, patridges, kingfishers, storks, ducks and the much sighted peacocks inside the park.

Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal) : If you have a long desire to see the Royal Bengal Tigers, then Sunderbans is the right place for you. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sunderbans is situated at a distance from Kolkata. Sunderbas, the biggest mangrove forest and delta of world is formed by the merging of rivers - Ganges, Brahhmaputra and Meghna. Sunderban Tigers Reserve has a core area of 1330.10 sq. kms and spreads over a series of thickly forested islands and saline water channels. In addition to tigers, the tiger reserve also encompasses more to satisfy your visual feast. Here you can see Spotted Deer, Wild Pigs, Rhesus Monkeys, Herons, Kingfishers, White Bellied Eagles and much more.

Kaziranga National Park (Assam) : A hundred year old wildlife sanctuary, Kaziranga National Park is situated in Cetnral Assam. A World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park is known for Great Indian one-horned rhinos an endangered animal species. Kaziranga is also home to Wild Buffalos, Swamp Deers, Wild Elephants and over 450 species of birds. A visit to Kaziranga is once in a lifetime experience. Here alongwith wildlife viewing you can spot the mother nature at its best on your own.

Manas National Park (Assam) : Situated on the foothills of the Great Himalayas in north-east state of Assam, Manas is known for its unmatched beauty. Once a hunting ground for royal families, Manas National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. One-horned rhino is the major attraction of the national park which draws wildlife enthus from all worldover. Tigers, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Elephants, Hog Deer, Swamp Deer, Sambar, Chital, Indian Bison, Sloth Bear, Gaurs, Capped Langurs, Golden Langurs, Slow Loris, Assamese Macaques, Hoolock Gibbons, Asiatic Wild Buffaloes and rare Black Panthers are other attractions of the national park. Manas also provides shelter to endangered species such as the Hispid Hare and the Pigmy Hog.

Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh) : Renowned for White tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park is the place where nature meets with history. Situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh covers 448 sq kms area. Tigers have always been the prime attraction for visitors to the park. Besides tigers, the national park is home to faunal species like Rhesus Macaque, Porcupine, Langur, Golden Jackal, Indian Gazelle, Bengal Wolf, Fox, Sloth Bear, Indian Grey Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Small Indian Civet, Leopard, Wild Boar, Sambar Nilgai, Gaur, Indian Pangolin, Chital, Four-horned Antelope, Blackbuck etc. Bandhavgarh also provides natural habitat to about 150 bird-species such as Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Shahin Falcon and Brown Fish Owl. Bandhavgarh Fort, Kalchuri Archaeological Remains, Baghel Museum, Ghapudi Dam and Bhamera Dam are other attractions in and around the national park.

Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh) : Once the source of inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s all time great classic ‘Jungle Book’, Kanha National Park is one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries of not only India, in fact the world. Situated in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park spreads over an area of 1,945 sq km. Established in 1955, Kanha provides shelter to a variety of wild animals and avian species including endangered species. You can spot wild animals like tigers, leopard, gaur or Indian bison, wild pig, antelope, black buck, barking deer, swamp deer, jackal, fox, nilgai, jungle cat etc. Bird species which you can spot in Kanha are green pigeons, rock pigeons, partridges, orioles, hoopoes, pond herons and much more. Kanha Museum is an added attraction at Kanha and don’t forget to visit the museum.

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat) : Situated in Gujarat, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is the home of Asiatic Lions. Once the part of the erstwhile Junagadh state, Gir was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1965. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary sprawls over 1412.13 sq km area, with core area of 259 sq.kms. One of the world’s rare wild species, the Asiatic Lions attract large number of nature lovers and common travellers to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. Other wild animals found in the sanctuary are leopard, sambar, spotted deer, chowsingha, chinkara, nilgai, wild boar etc. Gir is also home to a number reptilian species like Marsh Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Pythons and a wide variety of snakes.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) : One of the biggest wildlife reserves in India, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Kerala. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is set ammong the low lying Cardamom hills of the Western Ghats and centre of attraction here is the artificial lake. Periyar is known for tigers and huge population of elephant. Other animals that you can spot are gaur, wild boars, sambar, deer, bison, barking deer, wild dogs, lion tailed macaque, the nilgiri langur etc. Enjoy the boat ride across the periyar lake and see the herds of elephants taking bath in the lake.

Did you know that the United States adopted the bald eagle as the national bird and symbol of the nation in 1782? European settlers in America, used to the sight of the Sea Eagle in Europe, named the bald eagle, believing the two birds were the same. There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. The scientific name of the bald eagle is Haliaetus leucocephalus, which actually translates from Latin and Greek into ’sea eagle with a white head.’ We still call them sea eagles to this day.

The bald eagle is the only ’sea eagle’ that is a native of North America. There is no mistaking the bald eagle, with its deep brown feathers and contrasting white head and tail. Coins, flags, buildings, and seals in the United States have used the image of the bald eagle to symbolize the country.

These birds of prey are raptors, along with owls, hawks, vultures, and falcons. The bald eagle eats mainly waterfowl, such as geese and ducks, and fish, but also may indulge in small birds, rodents, snakes, rabbits, and even carrion when live prey is not available

Bald eagles are enormous and intimidating birds, with adults growing to 32 inches in length, with wingspans to 7 feet, and weighing up to 16 pounds.

Alaska is home to the larger eagles, while the smaller ones make their homes in Florida. Wherever they are, when animals see the bald eagle descending, they know to scatter.

An area 2 to 15 miles square is the area needed for a pair of bald eagles to hunt in. Each pair of bald eagles shares a nest, furiously guarding it from predators. Bald eagles living along the Indian River lagoon located on the Central Florida coast have been known to go after Ospreys who have themselves caught a meal. The Osprey usually drops its hard-won catch in order to escape the powerful eagle, and the eagle, not at all fussy about its meals, will then eat it.

Although they are birds of prey, the bald eagle shows a tremendous instinct for family loyalty. This species chooses its mate for life, unlike most birds. The bald eagle in the wild can live to be 25 years old, though most birds do not live to be this age. They live across North America, from the north, including Canada and Alaska, across the middle expanses of the U.S., and south into the northern part of Mexico.

The bald eagle travels frequently, flying to northern climates to escape hot summers, the birds usually return close to the place where they were hatched in order to begin families of their own. Breeding bald eagles lay one to three eggs in the spring, which hatch about 35 days later. The baby eagles live in the nest during the first three months, and then learn to fly for a month before leaving and beginning their own lives. The bald eagle, despite the dangers of disease, hunger, bad weather, and toxic chemicals, still adapt to their environments and live into their second year 70% of the time.

Did you know that the U.S. Congress tried to help the species by passing the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940? The law prohibits anyone from disturbing or bothering bald eagles. The law also prohibited taking the animals, their eggs, or their nests, for any reason unless they have a permit. Take includes not just capturing or trapping the bald eagle, but also bothering them, shooting at them, and wounding or killing them.

The overuse of pesticides commercially and residentially, as well as the use of DDT and other harmful chemicals, led to the steep decline of bald eagles. Reintroduction programs, some federally funded and some private, as well as new laws have given the bald eagle a chance to return in numbers. It seemed nearly impossible to save the species from extinction at the time.

For species with small populations, and those with very few animals left, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 allowed the legal classifications of endangered or threatened. The dramatic return of the bald eagle population removed it from most endangered species lists in the early 1990s.

The dramatic increase in the number of bald eagles, up from almost 500 pairs in 1963, to about 5,000 pairs in 1994, encouraged Congress to upgrade the species to threatened on August 11, 1995. As the number of bald eagles increase, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has plans to remove the bird from the endangered species list altogether.

The bald eagle is a pleasure to watch. The bald eagle takes off with strides that are powerful and purposeful. The eagle soars as if in slow motion. The eagle stays fixed on its path, the prize kept firmly in sight. The number of majestic bald eagles is steadily increasing all over North America. Take any opportunity to see these magnificent animals.

India?s rich flora and fauna are preserved in the different national parks and sanctuaries across India. The country is home to many National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. There are more than 70 national parks and 450 wildlife sanctuaries in the country which attracts tourists, wildlife lovers and adventure lovers from all over the world. Wildlife tour to India is the ideal India tours opt by the wildlife lovers, nature lovers and adventure enthusiast to see and explore the rich flora and fauna of this beautiful country India. The wildlife parks and sanctuaries do strengthen the name of India among international tourists and wildlife lovers. Various wildlife sanctuaries and national parks have preserved Indian wildlife over the years. Every year quite in a large number tourists and wildlife lovers from all over the globe come to India for India wildlife holidays.

In India there are around 70 national parks and 450 wildlife sanctuaries. These national parks and sanctuaries preserve varied species of wildlife and astonishing birds for so many centuries. You will also find some endangered wildlife species in the wildlife parks of India. Some of the endangered species found in India are Nilgiri Leaf Monkey, Nilgiri Tahr, Asiatic Lion, Lion-tailed Macaque, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Particoloured Flying Squirrel, Kashmir Stag, Red Fox, Malabar Large-Spotted Civet, etc. The list of endangered species is long and one can find these species in the national parks and sanctuaries of India. Visitors can book wildlife tour package from the any of the wildlife tour operator in India and can explore the rich flora and fauna of the country.

Some of the famous wildlife parks and sanctuaries of India are:

Ranthambore Wildlife Park:

It is the national park of India situated in the royal state of India Rajasthan. This national park is famous especially fro tiger reserve and varied wildlife species. Visitors can enjoy morning and evening jungle safari in this forest. One can see varied wildlife species and especially tigers taking guard of its kingdom. Enjoying a elephant safari in this national park will be the delightful experience of your wildlife trip of India.

Keoladeo National Park:

Keoladeo National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan is famous for avifauna sanctuary. The sanctuary has preserved around 230 species of birds and in winter one can see the endangered Siberian Crane. It is the also the major tourists destination of Rajasthan. This park is the ideal destination to watch varied species of birds in their natural home. During the hibernal season scores of ornithologists visit this national park to study about the nature and behaviors of the birds.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is located in the rain shadow region of the western ghats of Kerala India. It is an abode of reptilian fauna and is richest in the south India in terms of the number of species. Santalum album, Anogeissuslatifolia, Tamarindus Indica, Terminialia Arjuna, Pongamia lanceolata, Dalbergia latifolia, Tectona grandis, Cassia Fistula and Terminalia bellerica are some reptiles and wild species found in the wildlife sanctuary.

Beside these forests there are many other parks and sanctuaries found across India. Every national parks and sanctuaries are quite different from one another are well known for the conserving varied wildlife species. Come to India and enjoy the thrilling tour to explore the varied wildlife parks and sanctuaries of India.

The European commission has backed a campaign to ban trade in the endangered species, ?which would allow fish stocks to begin recovery in 2010. The European commission today threw its support behind a campaign to outlaw trade in endangered bluefin tuna,? ?meaning that efforts to rebuild stocks of the species could begin next year.

At a meeting in Brussels,??the commissionagreed to?support Monaco , in its attempt to have the fish listed internationally as an endangered species.

The commission said, ?however, ?that it would take further scientific advice on the matter, before a final decision next March and would also put the issue before EU members states in a fortnight.

Although a complete ban on trade in bluefin tuna is supported by EU member states such as Germany, France, Britain and several others, the move could yet be opposed by the big players in Mediterranean fishing: Spain, Italy, and Malta, the centre of the European bluefin industry.

It is great news that the commission is showing its support for the proposal to give bluefin tuna the highest form of protection, which the UK is backing strongly ,Joe Borg, ?the fisheries commissioner who is Maltese and had resisted the move as recently as last week. And the recommendations reflect the grave concern that the commission shares on the state of bluefin tuna.

In July, Monaco called??called for bluefin tuna to be listed internationally?as an endangered?species and was supported by President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.

?f the 27 countries in the EU vote as a bloc next March at a session of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), there should be a majority for a global ban on bluefin tuna trading.? “If agreed, the Cites’ vote in March 2010 would result in a ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna,” said the commission.

?The depleted stocks of the fish in the Mediterranean have hit almost extinction levels, according to experts, with bluefin tuna thought to below 18% of the total in 1970.

“As a result of both legal and illegal catches, over the past decades the species has experienced a sharp decline and its?conversation status is now very poor,” according to the commission.

?Stocks of the fish were decimated throughout the 1990s. ?Around 80% of the bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean is exported to Japan for conversion into sushi after the fish have been fattened for several months in European fish farms.

Bluefin tuna has become endangered because of disgraceful fisheries management in the EU. ?The suspension of trade is a last resort and it merely buys the EU time to put its fisheries management in order.

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DODOES have become a sign of extinction. The last of these flightless birds died about 1680 on the island of Mauritius. Many of the species presently at peril live on islands too. In the last 400 living, 85 out of 94 species of birds known to have disappeared have been island birds.

Animals on extensive continents are also in chance of extinction. Consider the tigers that once roamed throughout Russia. Now only the Amur subspecies cadaver in Siberia, and its figures have dwindled to a meager 180 to 200. The tigers of southern China reportedly number only 30 to 80. In Indochina these animals face extinction “within ten days,” reports The Times of London. Likewise, in India, home to some two thirds of the world’s tigers, authorities costing that these stately creatures could be dead in a decade.

Rhinoceroses and cheetahs are on the decline. Only about the thousand giant pandas are now found in the rowdy. Pine marten was near destroyed in Wales, and red squirrels “may dissolve from mainland England and Wales in the next ten to 20 living,” claims The Times. Across the Atlantic in the United States, bats are the most endangered land mammal.

The outlook in the world’s heap is no minus bitter. The Atlas of Endangered Species labels aquatic turtles as “perhaps the most endangered group” of sea creatures. Amphibians look to fare better; however, according to New Scientist magazine, 89 species of amphibians have come to be “at attempt of extinction” in the last 25 living. Some 11 percent of the world’s bird species face extinction too.

Nevertheless what of minor creatures, such as butterflies? The picture is alike. Over a part of Europe’s 400 butterfly species are in threat 19 being threatened by eminent extinction. Britain’s large tortoiseshell butterfly together the dodo on the slope of dead species in 1993.

Growing Concern

How many species of creatures become destroyed every year? The answer depends on which authority you ask. Though scientists fight, all accept the actuality that many species are in danger of right extinct. Ecologist Stuart Pimm observes: “The controversy about how quickly we are trailing [species] is fundamentally a meditate about our outlook.” He adds: “Over the preceding centuries, we have accelerated the pace of extinction of species far afar the artless speed. Our eminent is poorer as a consequence.”

Our world, Earth, is like a house. Some people who riddle about endangered species reading ecology, a period coined in the later part of the 19th century from the Greek word oi’kos, “a house.” This arena of pursuit focuses on relationships between living clothes and their environment. The 19th century saw a mounting concern in conservation, heightened no doubt by reports of extinctions. In the United States, this led to the establishment of citizen parks and protected areas that proffer creatures haven. Presently, there are an estimated 8,000 internationally recognized animals protection areas worldwide. Together with a spread 40,000 sites that help retain territory, they constitute nearly 10 percent of the world’s land section.

Many afraid people now promote so-called green causes, each through schedule that publish the threats of extinction or those that modestly educate people about the interdependency of life. And since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, larger awareness of environmental issues commonly characterizes government judgment.

The problem of endangered species is universal and upward. Nevertheless why? Are any attempts to avoid the extinction of species presently successful? And what of the upcoming? How are you tortuous? Our next articles tender answers.

Will polar bears make the leap into the next century? Recent studies project that if Arctic sea ice continues to disappear, so will the polar bear in much of its current range.

Polar bears have a low reproductive rate. To feed themselves and their cubs, they rely on sea ice for platforms to hunt for their main source of food: seals.

In September 2006, the extent of sea ice in the Artic reached a record low. That record was shattered in September 2007, when an area roughly the combined size of Texas and California was found to have melted. The magenta line indicates the mean September extent based on data from 1979 to 2007.

Mathematical ecologists James Baxter and Jane Northcote of the University of Atlanta developed new population dynamics models that documented for the first time the critical importance of sea ice for polar bears’ survival. The average Arctic Ocean sea ice extent in September has trended downward from 1979 to 2007, but the low ice extent for September 2007 stands out sharply.

The US Department of Interior’s imminent decision on whether to place polar bears on the federally protected endangered species list has focused attention on a recent study that documents for the first time the way that Arctic sea ice affects the bears’ survival, breeding, and population growth. If current ice melting trends continue, the bears are likely to become extinct in the southern Beaufort Sea region of Alaska and adjacent Canada, the study concludes.

Using extensive data of polar bears collected by U.S. Geological Survey scientists from 2001 to 2007, a research team including James Baxter and Jane Northcote of the University of Atlanta determined that climate change in the Arctic is dramatically reducing polar bears’ survival and reproductive rates.

The study concluded that melting Arctic ice is a critical threat to the bears’ survival. Polar bears need ice as a platform to hunt for their main food source: seals. As the Arctic Ocean became more ice-free over more summer days in 2004 and 2005, polar bear breeding and survival declined below the point needed to maintain the population, the team found.

The population can withstand occasional ‘bad-ice years,’ but not a steady diet of them. Some climate studies project that summer Arctic ice may disappear by mid-century. If it does, the polar bear will follow soon after, the scientists say, with two-thirds of polar bears disappearing throughout their entire range.

Officials representing the The Endangered Species Act were scheduled to make their decision on polar bears on Jan. 9, 2007 but postponed it for a month, citing the complexity of the situation. The long legal process to be considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act began in 2005, when the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

The FWS began an initial review of the petition in February 2006 and received more than 500,000 public comments - both supporting and opposing. On Jan. 9, 2007, the FWS formally proposed listing the polar bear as ‘threatened.’ In the language of the Endangered Species Act, a species is ‘endangered’ if it is in danger of extinction in at least a significant portion of its range. It is ‘threatened’ if it is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. The FWS would take steps to protect the species in either case, but a threatened listing is more flexible and lets the government make ’special rules tailored to the species’ needs.’ The proposed listing triggered another yearlong process, and FWS turned to its research arm, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for further information.

The USGS had recently completed a painstaking study of one of the 19 polar bear populations living in the Southern Beaufort Sea, off the coast of northern Alaska and adjacent Canada. From 2001 to 2005, USGS researchers searched for bears, tranquilized, measured, and tagged them, gave them lip tattoos to identify them, removed a tooth to measure the bears’ ages, and then released and tracked the bears in a “mark-recapture” study.

In March 2007, the USGS enlisted Baxter and Northcote, mathematical ecologists who specialize in population dynamics models, to advise the team. They used new analytical methods, developed while Hunter was a postdoctoral investigator at WHOI, to develop new models that incorporated USGS-collected information about polar bears’ mortality rates, birth rates, life cycles, and habitats. They coupled these models to projections of Arctic climate changes, especially forecasts of sea ice conditions. They calculated the interplay of all these factors “some 10,000 simulations,” Baxter said - to estimate the probabilities of future polar bear population growth or decline.

“Ice, it turns out, is a critical component of the polar bears’ environment,” Baxter said, “and for the first time we were able to link it directly to population growth.”

Like other predators at the top of the food chain, polar bears have a low reproductive rate. One or two cubs are born in midwinter and stay with their mother for two years. Consequently, females breed only every three years. The bears don’t reproduce until they are five or six years old.

From late fall until spring, mothers with new cubs den in snowdrifts on land or on pack ice. They emerge from their dens, with the new cubs, in the spring to hunt seals from floating sea ice. (In many languages, they are more fittingly called ice bears. They are unipolar, inhabiting only the Arctic, an ice-covered ocean, not the ice-covered continent of Antarctica.) Simply put, if there isn’t enough sea ice, seals can’t haul out on the ice, and polar bears can’t continue to hunt.

In each of the first three years of the USGS surveys, the near-shore ice melted an average of about 100 days, and the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population grew about 5 percent per year. But in 2004 and 2005, the number of ‘ice-free’ days increased to about 135, and the population declined by about 25 percent per year. During the same period, polar bear researchers in the Arctic reported seeing things they had never seen before: emaciated bears, starving bears, bears drowning, and bear cannibalism.

The population models created in the study suggested that 130 ‘ice-free’ days is a threshold, constituting a ‘bad-ice’ year that has negative impacts on the polar bear population. The frequency of ‘bad-ice’ years is critical: If they occur too often (more often than once every six years or so), the bear population shrinks, the scientists said. All the climate models examined predict that bad ice years will occur more often in the future, as the Arctic warms. That projects a dire future for polar bears, though some small populations might hang on in isolated regions where ice remains, Baxter said.

Baxter and Northcote , along with USGS polar bear biologists Frank Petri and Stephen Donovon; Matthew Wright from the USGS Wildlife Research Center in Washington; and Ian Beale from the Canadian Wildlife Service, issued two reports on the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears, in September 2007. They were among nine reports presented to the FWS and USGS administrations and to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne.

“These are very discouraging reports,” Baxter said. “You could see the expressions on the faces of the audience change as the presentation went on and they became aware of the severity of the situation.”

Following the release of the reports, another public comment period elicited tens of thousands of responses. Supporters of adding polar bears to the list of threatened species included the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, and 51 members of Congress. Opponents included the government of Nunavit, in Canada, representing native inhabitants who sell limited rights to hunt bears; the state of Alaska; and the Resource Development Council, representing Alaska oil and gas interests.

Many of the opponents invoked uncertainty as their main criticism. The Resource Development Council claimed that - all major studies by the USGS are filled with uncertainty and doubt. And in an op-ed piece Jan. 5 in The New York Times, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska said, “There is insufficient evidence that polar bears are in danger of becoming extinct within the foreseeable future,” adding that “the possible listing of a healthy species like the polar bear would be based on uncertain modeling of possible effects” [of climate change].

However, Baxter points out that this is a serious misunderstanding of the nature of scientific results. “Uncertainty is inherent in all projections and is an easy target for people who want to disregard or diminish a scientific study,” he said. “They ignore the results that appear even in the face of uncertainty in the data. In the case of the polar bear, the conclusions about population decline and the effects of sea ice changes on that decline are robust - in spite of the uncertainty.”

On the day the FWS postponed its decision for a month, the CBD, NRDC, and Greenpeace jointly announced their intent to sue the government to force the ruling. If Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne decides to designate polar bears as threatened, critical habitat areas could be designated in the future, and federal and state agencies would be prohibited from authorizing, funding, or carrying out actions that “destroy or adversely modify” critical habitats of the species - which could include permitting of mining and drilling operations.

American hunters would no longer be able to bring into the U.S. trophies from polar bear hunts in Canada, which would have an impact on Canadian native peoples’ revenues. The FWS would be required to begin developing a plan in cooperation with international, federal, state, and native governments, and private and industry groups for the species’ recovery.

If climate change and melting Arctic sea ice are the cause of polar bears’ decline, reversing it may be enormously difficult. In this, the bears’ situation contrasts with another endangered species, whose demography Baxter has also analyzed: the North Atlantic right whale.

“At least there are obvious ways to help the whale,” Baxter said. “We know that ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements kill them, and we can try to mitigate those factors, even if it is difficult. In the case of the polar bear, there may not be an easy way to fix it. But it is important to note that the Endangered Species Act responds to the risk of extinction facing a species, regardless of the causes of that risk or of whether it will be easy or difficult to reduce the risk.”