.:RED DATA:.

File 01 - Iriomote Wildcat (Iriomote Yamaneko)

Scientific name: Mayailurus iriomotensis
Reason endangered: Competition, interbreeding, habitat destruction/limited range
Numbers: 40-100
Location: Iriomote Island (Japan)
Length: 70-90cm
Weight: 3-4.5kg
Diet: Medium to small mammals, birds, rodents, amphibians, crabs, and insects

The Iriomote Wildcat was discovered in 1965, attracting a lot of attention from people who described it as "the biggest zoological discovery of the century". Being a primitive species of cat, it is thought to have crossed over to the island when it was still connected to the Chinese mainland. The wildcat has rounded eartips, short legs and tail, and a fairly long body. It is a dark brown color with spots. Living only on Iriomote Island within the Okinawa prefecture, the area is about 90% jungle. The cats have 1-4 kittens at a time, becoming mature after about 10-12 months. The cats are terrestrial, and mostly active at night, though they have been known to both swim and climb trees. The natives consider their meat a delicacy, but the cat's major threats are competition, interbreeding with other cat species, and being restricted to a single island area. In 1982, researches began monitoring the cats, and part of their habitat is now protected. Though less than 100 are known to exist, their numbers are thought to have remained stable.

Sources
+ [ ISEC Canada ]
+ [ Japan Atlas: Iriomote Island and the Iriomote Wildcat ]
+ [ Nature - Odyssey - Kids Web Japan ]

File 02 - Tahiti Blue Lorikeet (Idojiroru Inco)

Scientific name: Vini peruviana
Reason endangered: habitat loss, pet trade, introduced species
Numbers: 1,000-2,500
Location: Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
Height: 18cm
Wingspan: 11cm
Diet:

The Ultramarine Lorikeet is one of several endangered parrot species on the Marquesas islands. Thought to be the most endangered of the species, it has undergone several relocation attempts, but its numbers are still declining. One of the biggest threats to the population was the introduction of the European rat to the islands. The population on Ua Huka is said to have descended from a single pair of birds. The lorikeet's feathers are a brilliant shade of blue and white.

Sources
+ [ BirdLife International ]
+ [ Jewels Lost in an Ocean ]

File 03 - Finless Porpoise (Sunameri)

Scientific name: Neophocaena phocaenoides
Reason endangered: Fishing industry, habitat destruction
Numbers:
Location: Coastal areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans near Asia, and some freshwater rivers and estuaries
Length: 1.2-1.9m
Weight: 30-40kg
Diet: Krill, squid and other crustaceans

The finless porpoise (aka. the black finless porpoise, among many other names), is so-called because it lacks a dorsal fin, and they also have a large melon-shaped head. They are a pale grey color that darkens with age, and turns black after death. About half of the population has pink eyes. These porpoises generally travel in small groups of up to ten animals, and females are said to carry their young on their backs. The species is not very acrobatic, but it is one of a few species with unrestricted head movement. They also tend to avoid humans most of the time. The Yangtze River subpopulation is classified as endangered, however, the majority of the population is listed as Data deficient. They live for about 20-30 years.

Sources
+ [ BBC - Science and Nature ]
+ [ Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) ]
+ [ Whale Web: Finless Porpoise

File 04 - Golden Lion Tamarin

Scientific name: Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia
Reason endangered: Habitat destruction
Numbers: 400
Location: Amazon Rain Forest (Brazil)
Height: 20-30cm
Weight:
Diet:

Sources
+ [ Fact Sheet: Golden Lion Tamarin ]

File 05 - Gray Wolf (Haiiro Okami)

Scientific name: Canis lupis
Reason endangered: hunting, habitat destruction
Numbers: 1,000
Location: (United States)
Height: 82-160cm
Weight:
Diet:

Also known as the timber wolf. This canine species was recently delisted in the United States, however, only months later numbers of the wolves began declining again in the Northern Rocky Mountains, leading people to demand that the species be relisted. As a result, many planned wolf hunting events were cancelled. Wolf populations are continuing to be monitored.

Sources
+ [ Northern Ontario Mammal Species - Gray Wolf ]

File 06 - Amami Black Rabbit

Scientific name: Pentelagus furnessi
Reason endangered: Habitat destruction, introduced species
Numbers: 1000-3000
Location: Amami Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island (Japan)
Height: 40-50cm
Weight: 2kg
Diet: Plants and grasses

Considered a "living fossil" and protected in Japan, the nocturnal Amami Black Rabbit is thought to be the oldest rabbit species alive. Its ears are small and round and its legs are short, much unlike the typical hare. The eyes are also small, and the tail is completely absent. This species was first discovered by American scientists, and was overhunted in the 19th century for meat and medicine. It is currently in danger due to the failed introduction of mongooses to the islands to control the viper population, as well as the clear-felling of trees. Female rabbits only produce one offspring per breeding season.

Sources
+ [ BBC - Science and Nature ]
+ [ A Call for Help in Saving the Amami Rabbit ]
+ [ Rabbit Woes: Easter Icons Face Survival Struggles ]

File 07 - Andes Mountain Cat

Scientific name: Oreailuris jacobita
Reason endangered:
Numbers:
Location:
Height:
Weight:
Diet:

Sources
+ [ Lion Crusher's Domain - Andean Mountain Cat ]

File 08 - Humboldt Penguin

Scientific name: Spheniscus humboldti
Reason endangered:
Numbers:
Location:
Height:
Weight:
Diet:

Sources
+ [ Kamogawa SEA WORLD ]

For more information on endangered and threatened species, please visit the following websites:

+ The 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species