The Final Encounters with Extinct Species

Summary

The script explores the fascinating yet tragic tales of extinct species, from the night-visioned Thylacine to the towering Irish Elk. It delves into unique creatures like the Carolina Parakeet and the gastric brooding frogs, highlighting the devastating impact of extinction on biodiversity. The narrative also touches on ongoing efforts to revive some species, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the loss.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Currently, there are about 20 billion animals on Earth, but many species have gone extinct and around 44,000 species are in danger.
• 🦕 The largest mass extinction event in history occurred during the dinosaur era, eradicating 75% of species on Earth.
• 🦘 The Thylacine (Tulan WABE) was a relative of today's kangaroo with night vision, but only one picture of this species exists as it was declared extinct.
• 🐻 The short-faced bear, a massive species in North America, went extinct due to the end of the Ice Age and the loss of herbivores, their primary food source.
• 🐦 The passenger pigeon, once abundant in America, went extinct in 1914, with the last one named Martha.
• 🦌 The Irish Elk, known for its enormous size and antlers, went extinct due to its inability to adapt to post-Ice Age changes.
• 🐸 The golden toad, discovered in Costa Rica in 1966, went extinct due to drought and a new fungal species affecting their skin.
• 🦜 The Carolina Parakeet, native to America and parts of Canada, was abundant but went extinct by 1935, with temperature changes being a major factor.
• 🦁 The Barbary lion, a large and feared species, was declared extinct in the '90s due to various factors.
• 🦆 The Paradise Parrot, native to Australia, was known for its unique nesting habits in termite mounds and was last spotted in 1972.
• 🐸 The gastric brooding frog, which hatched young inside its stomach, went extinct but is part of a de-extinction program.

Q & A

What is the current estimated number of animal species on Earth?

There are approximately 20 billion animal species inhabiting our world.

How many more animals would there be on Earth if everything were ideal?

Ideally, there would be 5 billion more animals on Earth.

What percentage of species were eradicated during the largest mass extinction event in history, the dinosaur era?

During the dinosaur era, 75% of species on Earth were eradicated in the largest mass extinction event in history.

What was the Tultan WABE's hidden superpower that allowed them to be active mostly at night?

The Tultan WABE had a hidden superpower of night vision, which is why they were mostly active at night.

What were the wallabies' preferred habitats, and how did their numbers decline by the 19th century?

Wallabies lived in grassy areas near swamps and other water bodies. By the 19th century, their numbers had gone down, bringing them to the edge of extinction.

How many Tultan WABEs were left in the wild by 1920, and what happened to them?

By 1920, only 14 Tultan WABEs were left in the wild. A rescue mission was launched to capture them for protection, but 10 lost their lives, and the remaining four were transferred to a special facility.

What was the primary reason for the extinction of the short-faced bear?

The primary reason for the extinction of the short-faced bear was their diet; they were solely carnivorous, and when herbivores became scarce at the end of the Ice Age, they did not have enough food to survive.

What was the last known passenger pigeon named, and when did it pass away?

The last known passenger pigeon was named Martha, and it passed away in captivity in 1914.

What was the main reason for the disappearance of the Irish Elk, and when did the last one pass away?

The main reason for the disappearance of the Irish Elk was their inability to adapt to changes when the Ice Age ended. The last one passed away in Ireland, but the exact date is not mentioned in the script.

What was the primary cause of the extinction of the golden toad, and how did it affect other amphibian species?

The primary cause of the extinction of the golden toad was a new fungal species that caused their skin to thicken, eventually leading to their death. This chytrid fungus is responsible for the extinction of more than 90 frog and amphibian species.

What was unique about the nesting habits of the Paradise Parrot, and when was the last one spotted?

The unique aspect of the Paradise Parrot's nesting habits was that they only nested in termite mounds. The last bird was spotted in 1972.

What was the main reason for the extinction of the gastric brooding frogs, and what efforts are being made to bring them back?

The main reason for the extinction of the gastric brooding frogs was the chytrid fungus. They are part of a de-extinction program that is putting serious efforts into bringing them back into the wild.