Human Interest

by Alicia Graef July 31, 2014

While we’ve been focused on the poaching crisis that’s threatening the future for charismatic animals like elephants, rhinos and tigers, another species now faces the threat of extinction thanks to human appetites and could disappear before most people even hear of it.

The pangolin, which includes eight species who live in Africa and Asia, are unique little creatures in a number of ways. They’ve been described as walking artichokes and because they’re insectivores they’ve been dubbed “scaly anteaters.” These toothless animals are also the only mammal covered in true scales, which are made of keratin, and the the fact that they walk like a miniature T. rex only adds to their charm.

"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today denied protections for the rare wolverine under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), potentially jeopardizing the species’ long-term survival in the lower-48 states. Although the Service proposed to list wolverines as “threatened” in 2013 citing a primary threat of reduced habitat and range from climate change, the agency today said wolverines do not warrant a listing due to uncertainty about the effects of climate change on the animals, a claim disputed by conservation groups."

Leonardo DiCaprio has friends in high places, which comes in handy when he’s trying to raise money to save the planet. The award winning actor raised $25 million on Wednesday to protect the environ...