Disappearing Wildlife 

Many of my photos are of animals that are endangered or at risk of becoming endangered. It is very likely that some will only be seen in parks and zoos in the coming years. I hope that bringing this photos to people they may reach out and help with these projects. I am working and finding groups to have people support, in the mean time here is a bit of information on the subjects of my work. 

Mexican Gray Wolves

This is a critically endangered sub-species of gray wolf. Although gray wolves are listed as least concern by the IUCN there are some populations at risk of dieing out. The Mexican gray wolf is one of the most genetically distinct sub species of gray wolf.  Historically it lived in the south west of the United States and as far south as Mexico City. With the west ward expansion and the growth in the cattle industry campaigns were launched to eliminate predators, this included wolves. By the 1970's time had run out for the Mexican gray wolf. The last in the wild were captured for a captive breeding program and only a few animals were found in two zoos. With a total of 7 unrelated wolves the race to save this population began. The Mexican gray wolf is now slowly making a comeback. With a slow but steady efforts by both the US and Mexico, USFWS did their first reintroductions in 1997. Now over 80 Mexican gray wolves live in the US and Mexico has started their reintroduction efforts as well. 

This project is close to my heart. I worked with captive Mexican gray wolves (and other wolves) for over 5 years. The highlight of that time period was getting to see a wild pack of nine Mexican gray wolves out in the wild. I didn't bring my camera, a rare case for me, but I don't regret it as Its a moment I will never forget. Each wolf I got to know had such personality to them, from the shy ones that avoided any attempt at a photo, to the ones that seemed to pose for me. 

African Wild (Painted) Dogs

This is an canine most people out side of Africa will ever see outside a documentary. They are considered endangered throughout their home range. Most of this is due to habitat fragmentation, disease, and conflict with human activities. They use to survive across Africa, except in the large sand deserts and dense jungle forest. Now they are only found in small pockets, their last true strong hold is the Okavango Delta. They need large areas for territory with a relatively low large carnivore population. Many of the national parks in Africa have unnaturally large Lion populations to help attract tourist, This poses a problem for wild dogs as they will lose pups and their hard won kills to lions.  

I got to study these amazing creature for a month and it was an amazing experience. Their family structure and their hunting style is something that just is not seen in any other animal. From their "twitter" and "Who-calls" communication and their pure speed and endurance. 

Cheetahs 

This was a cat that once was found throughout Africa (except in dense jungles), the middle east and as far east as India. Due to habitat fragmentation, human conflict and illegal poaching they have now listed as vulnerable, just one step above endangered. Cheetahs have had a tough time adapting to modern times. Even before human pressures their numbers dropped forcing them to go through a bottle neck, this means that all cheetahs today are very closely related. This makes them very vulnerable genetically. On top of that they live in areas where they have to compete with lions, leopards and hyenas. Often forced out of high pray areas by larger predators they often will wander into farm lands where farmers will shoot them. 

This iconic cat is not without help. Over the last decade much work has been done to help with preserving habitat. Captive breeding programs are doing amazing work with trying to keep what genetics are out there alive. Most importantly there is a lot of work being done with farmers and ranchers to help them understand cheetahs and giving them tools like donkeys and dogs to help protect their herds. 

I have been fortune enough to get to study three captive raised cheetahs that were then released. One female was able to raise cubs on her own to adulthood and the other two males have been making kills on their own with now issue. There is hope and this might be one species that we work hard enough will get to see a few more decades on this planet.

Rhino

All the photos I have of rhinos are of Southern White Rhinos, its the only rhino sub species not to be listed as endangered or threaten. In fact there are more Southern White Rhinos then any other species of rhino in the world, even if they were all combined. This is a terrifying state considering a Southern White rhino is poached every single day, Its only a matter of time of time before we lose these titans of the Savannah. Just like elephants in the 1970s and 1980s rhinos are poached for nothing more then their horns, the rest of the animal is left to rot. The horn is thought by some to have medical properties, while other use it for traditional knife handles. Either way there is money to be made in their horns. The horn is nothing more the carotene, just like our own finger nails. When I was in Africa we ran into suspected poachers inside a protected park, it doesn't matter, the price is so high and the demand so high that it is worth the risk. Some groups have gone as far as putting armed guards on their rhinos to help protect them. Time might have ran out for their northern cousins the Northern White Rhino at the time of this writing there are only 6 known left in captivity and extinct in the wild. 

There are other four additional  rhino species; Black Rhinos, Indian rhinos, Sumatran Rhinos and Javan Rhino. Black and White rhinos both have overlapping areas. I won't forget the way that our bush walk guide told us how you can tell the difference. If the rhino is charging at you and it stops its a White Rhino if it keeps charging and hits you its a Black Rhino.