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A Lion Decision's Been Made

1/22/2016

If you haven’t heard yet, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) has made a ruling to list the lion as two subspecies under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Effective today, under the ESA (this is an important distinction), the lion will now be Panthera leo leo and Panthera leo melanchaita.

Panthera leo leo are the western and central populations of African lion and the Asiatic lion. These populations have approx. 1,400 lions with about 900 in 14 African populations and 523 in India. These populations have seen the most dramatic declines. USFWS claims newly available scientific information make these populations more genetically related and due to the severity of the threats to these populations, have decided to list them all as one subspecies which meet the definition of endangered under the ESA.

IUCN still recognizes Panthera leo leo as being all African lions

Panthera leo melanchaita, which consists of the rest of the populations in East and Southern Africa, however, is not listed as endangered. They claim this population consists of 17,000-19,000 lions (but this estimation comes from a study that acknowledges that their estimates are “intrinsically imprecise” and previous estimations range from 23,000-39,000 so the exact number is still a bit hazy). USFWS says “this subspecies is less vulnerable and is not currently in danger of extinction.”

Panthera leo melanchaita was previously considered to be the now extinct Cape Lion, which has also been proven not to be a genetically distinct subspecies but rather a difference in weather induced morphology.

The ruling also includes some new regulations on hunting permit requirements. Anyone convicted of or who has pled guilty to violations of wildlife laws will be denied a permit. They will also only allow the importation of sport-hunted trophies from countries with established conservation programs and well-managed lion populations to help support and strengthen the accountability of conservation programs in other nations.

This ruling seems fair but their use of previously and currently used subspecies names may get a little convoluted in the overall scheme of things. It seems as though USFWS is showing a genuine concern in looking after the best interest of the African lion but I think more research is still needed (and not just because I’m one of the ones doing it) to make decisions that will be beneficial for both the lions and the countries they live in.

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Throwback Third Thursday - January 2016

1/21/2016

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It's been 5 days since we lost Grandpa and it still doesn't quite feel real. I love you, Grandpa!

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In Loving Memory

1/16/2016

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In an incredibly romantic turn of events, my grandfather, who had a stroke on January 4th, held on until he was officially married for 62 years to the love of his life. My grandfather was a persistent man, convincing my grandmother to marry him all those years ago and we could not be more grateful for it. He is responsible for the people all us Currys are today. Not just because without him we would literally not be here but because of the remarkable example he set for all of us. He was the best grandpa and lived a perfect life. He was such a beautiful man and we all aspire to find someone to love and love us like he loved grandma.

Thank you Grandpa for leaving us a legacy to follow through those you have influenced, showing us what family really means and, most importantly, how to love unconditionally.

Happy Anniversary

and

In Loving Memory of

Edward Alphonsus Curry, Jr.

Today is a day to celebrate, not mourn. Just like Grandpa wanted.

We will always love you Grandpa!

"When parents train children to enjoy serving others they are preparing the children for happy lives. For those trained to enjoying helping others the way so many are trained to help themselves will never be disappointed. There are always opportunities to serve but there are not always opportunities to be served."
- Edward Alphonsus Curry

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