Unit 1: Afghanistan

RECAP

Back in the Afghanistan unit, I chose to research the wildlife issues of Afghanistan; more specifically, the endangered species of Afghanistan. I found out that two of the main endangered species are the Snow leopard and the Markhor.

A Snow leopard

The Snow leopard lives in the highlands of Afghanistan and the Hindu Kush in coniferous forests. They used to be hunted for their furs until law prohibited it, but poachers still hunt and illegally trade their furs. Their habitat is also at risk due to deforestation, dam projects, and lack of food sources due to similar environmental issues. There are laws protecting this species, but other than that, not much is being done to help these animals.





The other endangered species is the Markhor; that funny goat looking thing. Like the Snow leopard, they live in high regions and the Hindu Kush. They are also hunted for their long fur as well as those twisty horns. Deforestation and dam projects are limiting their living space and food sources. They are also sometimes hunted by the Snow leopard, but laws protect them from poachers. Just like the Snow leopard, they are also illegally hunted and only the hunting laws protect them.

A Markhor

REVISIT

Afghanistan issued its first Wildlife Hunting Ban on June 10, 2009. It banned hunting of all endangered mammals, birds, and other creatures in the region. They have also issued protection on endangered plants and other endangered species such as the Paghman salamander. They also created their first national park, Band - e - Amir, in May 2009. The park consists of waterfalls, lakes, and naturally made dams.


This info. came from:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90171390

http://www.livescience.com/animals/etc/090610-afghanistan-issue-its-first-endangered-species-list.html

A Paghman salamander

Band - e - Amir

REFLECT

I Personally think that the fact that this country is taking steps to wildlife conservation is great, but they still have a long way to go. The endangered species list for that area is just to big, and they may have some trouble protecting all of the animals and bringing them back from the brink. I do realize, however, that there may be more important issues at hand, but they still need to revive the land that has practically been destroyed from war. I hope that they can do that, because this world is an amazing place, even if there's a barren wasteland with just a pinch of wildlife potential.