Ugly Animals We Should Save Anyway

[LaraOnline]

In Australia, one of the (very few) successful wildlife preservation campaigns has been for the incredibly dangerous saltwater crocodile.

There were concerns that safety-conscious fishers and farmers (among others) were hunting this animal to extinction.
Now there are fairly regular reports of attacks, and the taking of children. If you've ever seen one in an aquarium... they are Absolutely Terrifying.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/fishing-community-in-shock-after-man-snatched-from-boat-while-fishing-in-kakadu/story-fnk0b1zt-1226946962619

http://www.abc.net.au/darwin/topics/human-interest/animal-attacks/crocodile/

In a fairly similar vein, an increase in the number of fatal and near-fatal shark attacks on holidaymakers in Australia has seen a huge uproar against government attempts to mitigate the risks. The government is between a rock and hard place here. It seems that while 'we the public' are happy to fish out every last wild last salmon, or any other eating fish, the shark is a 'national treasure' and not to be touched.

While these are interesting topics and interesting animals in themselves, here are some other endangered creatures that caught my eye.
They won't eat you... they are just funny looking. and perhaps that's one reason they haven't yet become 'causes celebre' in wildlife preservation terms.

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141017-eight-ugly-animals-we-should-save

 

[missy]

Thanks for sharing this Lara. I just want to add in my book there is no such thing as an ugly animal...they are all beautiful IMO and all worthy of course of being saved no matter their appearance and so I agree with you. We need to be more mindful of the animals that share the world with us and stop behaving so savagely towards them. They deserve to be here too.