ENDANGERED SPECIES
This is my collection of endangered animals. My first drawing was the Hawk Billed Turtle, which ended up researching to learn more about it. I saw that it was endangered and it got me wondering how many endangered species there are. The research began and I've enjoyed bringing these beautiful creates to life in full colour.
My endangered range is done in watercolour on standard matt paper so the effect isn't like the usual water colour finish; instead they are finished off with a fine black liner.
ORANGUTAN: These apes are currently only found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. They are the most solitary of the great apes, with social bonds occurring primarily between mothers and their babies, who stay together for the first two years. Orangutans mainly eat fruit but they also eat vegetation, bark, honey and insects. From 1996, there were two species: Bornean and Sumatran but then in November 2017 they reported that a third species had been identified, the Tapanuli orangutan! All three orangutan species are considered to be critically endangered. Human activities have caused severe declines in populations and ranges. Threats to wild orangutan populations include poaching, habitat destruction, and the illegal pet trade.
SOUTH CHINA TIGER: The stunning, vibrant and critically endangered South China Tiger. The smallest of the tiger subspecies, these tigers WERE found in sub-tropical evergreen forests of southeast China. The hideous reality is that they haven't been spotted in the wild for the last 20 years. They were considered a pest and hence their fading hopes of survival.
HAWKSBILL TURTLE: These turtles are found mainly throughout the world's tropical oceans, predominantly in shallow lagoons and coral reefs. Unfortunately they are manufactured into tortoiseshell items for jewellery and ornaments and are critically endangered.
SLOTH: Now everyone's favourite sleepy tree animal with the most beautifully human looking faces: the sloth. Surprisingly enough, these long-armed animals are excellent swimmers. They occasionally drop from their treetop perches into water for a paddle in their native Central and South America. And sadly as we all know too well, deforestation puts these gorgeous creatures onto the endangered list.
POISON DART FROGS: Jumping onto the page, we have some tiny, bright and beautifully decorated Frogs. These frogs are typically 1.5cm so you'll have to watch out very carefully when you're in the rain forests of Central and South America. Their bright coloration correlates with toxicity and acts as a warning to their predators. Due to humans encroaching on their habitat, these little fellows are endangered.
PANGOLIN : Did you know there is a World Pangolin Day? I've drawn one with its baby being carried on its mum's back and tail. There are 8 species of these chaps, 4 in Asia and 4 in Africa. Did you know that a pangolin can eat 70 million ants a year and the tongue they use to catch them is longer than the pangolin itself! They are the most heavily trafficked creature and are struggling to survive whist people want their flesh and scales.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY: This butterfly is most familiar in North America and is considered an iconic pollinator species. They embark on an incredible migratory trip, travelling up to 2800 miles from USA and Canada to central Mexican forests. They need places to reproduce and feed. However, herbicide use is decreasing the availability of their primary food source, the milkweed plant.
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER: It's the males that have the distinct and flamboyant bright red crest - females are rather understated in black. Its alarm call apparently sounds like a toy trumpet! This bird is of old-growth forests of SE America. Destruction of its habitat caused severe population declines in the 1800s and only a handful of birds remained in the 20th century. Sightings of these woodpeckers are so rare, back in 2005 one was found in Arkansas, USA, 60 years after it was believed to have gone extinct.
BLACK-FOOTED FERRET: This cute ferret was once thought extinct and fortunately in the last 30 years, concerted efforts have been made to being them back to their native North America. Habitat loss and disease remains the challenge in their population increase.
SUMATRAN RHINO: This rhino is native to Borneo and Samatra. It is the smallest of the rhino sub species and the only one that has two horns. Rhinos are born without horns but within a few months tiny stumps appear and they grow from there. Poaching for rhino horn and loss of habitat are the main threats facing these animals.