Globally, we've got about 18,000 animal species just trying to hang on, labeled everything from "vulnerable" to "critically endangered" by the folks at the IUCN. The good news? Some are actually making a comeback thanks to some serious conservation elbow grease — think wolves, whales, a few lizards, and parrots. The bad news? A whole lot more are still struggling, mostly because we keep taking their homes and generally being, well, human.
May 15th is Endangered Species Day, a delightful annual reminder of both the wins and the ongoing, rather significant, challenges. Because apparently, we like our victories with a side of existential dread.
Take California's gray wolves (Canis lupus). These majestic creatures were locally extinct for decades, then started strolling back into the state in 2015. Now? There are between 50 and 70 of them, making up at least 10 packs. A real rewilding success story, if you ask the two-thirds of California voters who, back in 2013, actually wanted them back.
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Start Your News DetoxBut here's where things get a little… complicated. From 2015 to 2024, these returning wolves decided that 142 cattle looked like a pretty good snack. Which, if you're keeping score, is a microscopic 0.002% of California's nearly 7 million cattle. Still, it was enough for one county to take out four wolves from a pack that had apparently developed a taste for farm-raised beef.
Now, some ranchers are getting creative with nonlethal deterrents. We're talking faldry (fabric strips on fences, because apparently wolves hate laundry day), drones blasting loud music (a real party killer, that), and good old electric fences. Because apparently that's where we are now: using EDM to ward off predators.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, West African leopards are having a much tougher time. Their population has plummeted by 50% in the last two decades. Only about 350 mature leopards are left. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive that they've held on, and slightly terrifying that their numbers are that low. Makes you wonder what kind of drone music they'd need.
