Pierre de Chabannes’ Post

The Cuban basslet (Gramma dejongi) has been described to science in 2010 and its situation in the wild is still poorly understood. Endemic to south Cuban waters, this species has a very small range and could be vulnerable to habitat loss as well as predation by the invasive lionfish (Pterois sp.). It has been collected for the trade occasionally and was bred under human care for the first time in 2017. There are probably no specimens displayed in public collections anywhere at this time. So far, its IUCN Status remains as Data Defficient. For those of you who want to support Pierre Wildlife, you can pledge at https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx

This Solomon Island skink (Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti) belongs to the very rare Bougainville island subspecies. It is easily told from the nominate subspecies by the bright yellow eyes and yellower coloration. It is also slightly smaller. In captivity, this subspecies is very rarely kept these days and that stunning specimen is currently displayed in a reptile exposition known as "Dragons", organised in the city of Piran, in Slovenia, for the whole summer, by the company called Reptile's Nest. This species isn't listed by the IUCN so far but it is possibly threatened by deforestation and illegal collection of wild specimens for the trade, occurring in most of its range. Remember to support us by pledging on our Patreon, https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx

The Annamite crested gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) is the most recently described crested gibbon species and its conservation status has yet to be assessed. Its populations appear to be globally more stable than all other gibbons from this genus but the species remains threatened by loss of habitat (gibbons need large intact tracts of forests) and poaching or capture for illegal trade. This playful young specimen was photographed at the Endangered Primates Rescue Center in northern Vietnam. See you in two weeks for more amazing species posts on this page, time for a little holidays ! In the meantime, remember that we need your support. To help us, you can pledge on our Patreon, https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx Thanks and see you soon !

The Everglades pygmy sunfish (Elassoma evergladei) is a tiny (less than 3 cm in length) beauty from swamps and sluggish rivers of south-eastern USA. So far, it remains common within suitable habitat and isn't known to face any major threats. Despite being relatively well known from private aquarists, this species is very rarely displayed in public collections and seldom bred as it requires hibernation. Remember to support us by pledging on our Patreon: https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx

The Philippine pitviper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus) is a stunning species endemic to the Philippines and found nearly throughout the Archipelago. Taxonomists are currently working on a possible split of this species in many insular forms. This could make a big change in their conservation status as it is known than, on a few islands, such as Negros where this specimen was photographed, its populations have been declining because of habitat loss and persecution. We should work on assessing each subpopulations' status and determine which ones are likely to be threatened before the species is split in order to immediately take action to protect, and eventually establish captive breeding programs, the most vulnerable ones. Remember to support us by pledging on our patreon, https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx

The Montserrat oriole (Icterus oberi), as its name suggests, is endemic to Montserrat Island in the Lesser Antilles. The female is yellowish whereas the male, pictured here, has a silvery bill, black head and back and brown-beige belly. This species was, until recently, listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List but it has been downlisted to Vulnerable as its wild populations are stable and even increasing. However, the species remains on the verge of extinction potentially because its habitat is under direct threat from possible volcanic eruptions and hurricanes. This species is targeted by a conservation breeding program in European zoos. Remember to support us by pledging on our patreon, https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx

The Zebra loach (Botia striata) is a very common species in captivity, being bred in farms and sold in big numbers in aquarium fish shops around the world and occasionally displayed in public collections. In the wild, its situation is much more alarming as the species is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. It only occurs in four fragmented populations in the Western Ghats of India and remains threatened by deforestation and hill streams pollution. This species is the prime example of a common species under human care yet highly endangered in the wild with no real conservation program in place. Remember to support us by pledging on our patreon : https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx

The Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is Madagascar's biggest Carnivore species. The species is extraordinarily agile and will spend most of its life in trees. It needs extensive areas of untouched forest to live and doesn't adapt well to degradations in its habitat. It is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List because it is more and more threatened by habitat loss and illegal hunting. This situation got worse with the political unrest after the coup d'etat in 2009, leading to more artisanal mining, illegal hunting and unregulated tree cutting (Rosewood particularly). It is targeted by a conservation breeding program in zoological gardens. Remember to support us by pledging on our patreon, https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx

The Blue-naped chlorophonia (Chlorophonia cyanea) is a jewel from South American montane rainforests from Colombia to Bolivia with an isolated population in south-east Brazil. The species can be locally common but its distribution remains patchy, depending on its habitat requirements. So far, it isn't threatened and the IUCN Red List has it assessed as Least Concern. In captivity, the species is particularly rare and seldom bred. No conservation measures or captive breeding programs are in place at this time. Remember to support us by pledging on our patreon : https://lnkd.in/dUKwGmx