[Raptor235]

Today a group of scientists announced a new effort to protect “the world’s most unusual, endangered and neglected species.” While gathering support for what they call “last-ditch” conservation efforts for these imperiled animals, the group’s top priority species–the Yangtze River dolphin–may already be lost to the world. The nine other species on their current priority list are hanging on by threads and, according to the group, are as unique to the biological world as the Mona Lisa is to art. The scientists call them “EDGE” species: “Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered,” and expects the list to grow to 100 species as their effort expands.

Source: Scientists try to save the world’s rarest creatures. Reuters, January 16, 2007. Photo: A long-eared jeroba from Mongolia, one of the top ten EDGE species. Photo by R. Samiya.

More information: http://www.edgeofexistence.org

You can find the entire article here http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/environ...es-on-the-edge

[peachy]

That is an odd looking creature...but so cute at the same time! Honestly, I don't know how everybody keeps track of all these species. But it's good that someone is!

[ALF]

Species on the EDGE. So often we think almost mammally and not in terms of other Kingdoms under ecological review.. Endangered species are endangered by the loss of #'s, and as loss of habitat . Are we as humans losing habitat by polluting the one we are living in, and by the increased demand being placed on our habitat by increasing #'s. The loss of life sustaining resources in our habitat.
I guess maybe the loss of #'s related to our environmental interactions, is reflected by the loss of those capable and willing to teach about sustainable yields, and the like. Thank you all for being here. It's nice knowing you

[Redofthelost]

Ugh we are soooo late. THe site is pretty cool where they rank the top 100 most rare endangered species. Really interesting animals too. Good luck jeroba from mongolia!

[everending]

I wish people cared more about the natural world. Endangered or not, the way people treat the animal kingdom downright disgusts me. And the fact that people can drive a species to the edge of extinction and STILL not care is even more disappointing.

[mollyL]

It is more than tragic if the river dolphins have been wiped out. As intelligent as dolphins are, perhaps they managed to get out in the ocean, at least we can hope so. The little Jerboah is a cute little fellow; my husband used to play in a group called Jerboah, so I've been aware of the little desert rat for awhile (the mouse, not my husband)

[RFL1986]

It's good to have lists like these available because a lot of people aren't going to care much about preserving biodiversity until they have a cute face attached to it. I've known that quite a few of these are 'last-ditch species' but there were a number of new animals on the list for me.

[Kitten]

I think it's great that they're actually trying. There are tons of efforts out there already because there are so many endangered animals, so this certainly can't help. I hope they make a difference.

[RFL1986]

Yeah well something is certainly better than nothing in this case. Any kind of support, no matter the reason behind it, is good in my books so I wasn't trying to be too critical.

[Roguegal]

Unfortunately, the way we humans are a lot more species will be lost before we get it through our thick skulls that we need to change. Hopefully, it won't be before we lose all including ourselves. We need to look on the positive side and keep trying to get the word out!