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Happy Whale Shark Day!

cute-whale-shark-square

It’s International Whale Shark Day! These amazingly adorable, giant filter-feeding sharks are vulnerable around the world. Because they cruise along slowly not far beneath the ocean’s surface, they can be hit by ships and caught by fishing gear intended for other fish. In some countries, they’re deliberately caught for their meat. Supporting sustainable fishing (like getting rid of illegal nets and not taking too many fish) protects whale sharks along with hundreds of other vulnerable and endangered species.

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It’s Endangered Species Day!

Three species of tapir are endangered; one species, which we know little about, is vulnerable to extinction.
Baby tapirs are super cute! This is a baby Malaysian tapir. There are four species of tapir. Three are endangered; one species, which we know little about, is vulnerable.

Today is Endangered Species Day! There are amazing animals and plants in danger of going extinct all over the world–probably even in your own state. Here in Washington, animals in danger of extinction include Western pond turtles, grouse, and super cute pygmy rabbits. Like many animals around the world, the main threat to these critters is habitat destruction. We humans are bulldozing and paving, pumping oil and gas, spilling chemicals, cutting down trees and vegetation, introducing invasive species, and heating up their climates.

The best way to protect many species is to protect their habitats!