David Garcia Ms.

Frank Senior Capstone February 13, 2014

Endangered Species I. Introduction

Animals have lived in our planet throughout the centuries, and even before the existence of the human race touched the earths surface. These creatures go way back since the beginning of the dinosaurs and the first ice age this world has ever encountered. As of now, the animals that lived during that time do no longer exist in our own time. For years there have been animals that are in extinction that we dont even notice theyre going missing over time, and the action we should take is important. A couple of reasons we are losing our animals are due to the loss of habitats, climate change, diseases, pollution, and most commonly hunting and poaching. Around the world there are organizations and conservations like the Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, and The Natural Recourses Defense Council, they aim to protect the natural world and sustain by carefully preserving and managing habitats and restoring area that has been damaged. Now these animals do what their instincts tell them to do. They dont know if they are doing harm to us, theyre just passing through another day on fetching a meal. Poachers know how rare these animals are but, they dont care about the existing of the animal they are hunting, all they want is the

goods the animal has. For example the tiger and the snow leopard, they are hunted to provide resources such as food and traditional medicine, they use theyre fur, bones and teeth to cure the sick with these materials. In this case many are hunted for clothing, jewelry, and trophies as well, but many are taken alive so they can try and use them as pets, falconry or a live trophy trade. Many Poachers do what they do because they see no problem with this, they believe that these activities are acceptable in their ways, they also market the animal or promote them to bargain for money (Snow Leopards for Kids). Most of the hunting is done in Africa, another good example on what poachers steal are the horns of a rhino. Most people believe that the rhinos horns are also use to make medicine, but poachers dont know that, so their belief is wrong. Their horns are made by the same materials our nails are made of, so hunting them now is useless, now they use the horns for jewelry or weapons. Back in 2012, 668 rhinos were poached in South Africa, by the year 2013, rhinos were being poached two per day (Endangered Species). Another animal in danger is the elephant, in the beginning of the 20th century there were about 100,000 Asian elephants, and throughout time now theres about 35,000-40,000 Asian elephants. Poachers usually hunt these massive animals for their large tusks, mainly adults, and now they are considered an endangered species (Top 10 most Endangered Species in the World). As the good people that are in this world today, we as humans being, have to save these amazing creatures from going extinct. All around the world there are people who are caring, lovable, and passionate about these animals. Thats why we have so many organizations that people volunteer and help out to save the animals habitat and its species (Jackie Chan Teams up with Spike the Rhino). A worldwide organization thats known commonly to everyone is the African Wildlife Foundation, since all the hunting and habit loss are occurring on the other side, its a very big and large environment for the animal to move around in. Since there are so many animals in danger they cant just place any animal in any organization, there are so many places type of animal needs to go, for example, in Rwanda and Uganda theres a place just for gorillas known as Gorilla Doctor. They help the gorillas be healthy and

prevent diseases to them and of course cure the ones that are sick ("Gorilla Doctors - Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project - Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.") Another place thats located here in the U.S. is in Washington D.C. there you can find an organization called PAWS, this only helps pet animals, even though theyre not in danger, it helps these animals have a home and be loved by people when theyre owners threw them away in the streets, only difference is that you cannot adopt in this organization (Care for the Animals.) Now WSPA, The World Society of the Protection of Animals, is a global organization focuses on sea creatures, they dont tolerate animal cruelty, but only have love and compassion for the creatures, to expand their species and keep on living. If it werent for these noble and outstanding groups of people we wouldnt have many animals left in our mother earth, they have made miracles with their organization and made another day for the animal to walk freely (The Latest News on Animal Welfare and Animal Cruelty.") My capstone will address the four Asian Society Global Leadership performance Outcomes categories; Investigate the World, Recognizing Perspectives, Communicating ideas and Taking Action. The way Im going to be taking action is by talking to the Director of the organization called Campamento Tortugero Ayotcally she will explain how I can help the camp thats in Mexico while Im here in Houston. This Capstone Project will help me become more of a leader and a better speaker by taking action on the endangered species around the world. I will serve the organization by helping clean the community, sea, forest, or grassland, for the animals to live in a clean environment. This will also help me grow my knowledge on species by the number of animals were losing per year and what can be done to prevent this, to learn the skills of the animal and learn its characteristics. My capstone project will increase on writing, reading, and researching skills, this project is a way for me to be college ready and make an impact in the world before I leave high school. Like always, everyone can help, you might be helping now and you might not even notice it, what you can do to help out or lend a hand is by doing

something simple, like recycling all recyclable trash, use less energy, clean up a park or a beach, get involved in the local community, and most importantly spread the word to the world.

II.

Learning Objectives A. To be part of the organization B. To learn more about endangered species C. Manage my time wisely D. Research where does it impact the most in the world E. To learn more about what can I do to make my voice be heard

III.

Activities Timeline

Writing and research

Activities

Timeline

I will research and find key website to use for my project. I will have my proposal done to be check by Ms. Frank. I will have turned in my rough draft check by Ms. Marin. I will make revisions to my research paper.

January 13, 2014

January 30, 2014

February 7, 2014

February 8-13, 2014

I will turn in my final proposal to Ms. Frank.

February 14, 2014

Learning Experience

Activities
I will meet with the Director of the organization Im working with. I will schedule when I can help the organization (Turtle Camp Ayotcally.) I will present my capstone project to Ms. Frank May and Ms. Marin. I will successfully pull of my part in this project. May March-May March 4, 2014

Date

IV.

Form

My capstone project will take three forms. First will be a research paper with citations and work cited pages. Secondly I will be volunteering in the organization and help out the community by cleaning the environment. Finally I will present my research and learning experience at Sharpstown International at the end of the semester. My project will defend my research argument and learning objective, the audience will be Ms. Frank, M. Marin and friends.

V.

Preparations To complete capstone I will need: A. Well organized binder B. Help from my sponsor Ms. Marin C. To get involved in the community as much as possible D. To be organized E. To be opened minded F. To be determined G. To be focused

Citations African Wildlife Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. Gorilla Doctors - Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project - Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project. N.p., 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. PAWS. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. Rhinos, Black (Diceros Bicornis), Native to Southern and East Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. Snow Leopard Questions Answered (Why Are Snow Leopards Considered Endangered?). N.p., 2008. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. The Latest News on Animal Welfare and Animal Cruelty. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. TheRichest We Follow Money The Extraordinary Top 10 Most Endangered Species in the World Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.