7 Endangered Animals We Love

(& How We Show It)

PUBLISHED: MAY 2015
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Eco-conscious travelers in the Americas can get a glimpse of

Sea Turtles

and contribute

to the conservation of their habitats by choosing Rainforest Alliance Certified hotels and tour operators
located on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.

Eco-conscious travelers in the Americas can get a glimpse of sea turtles and contribute to the c
rThe Petn region of Guatemala is a population stronghold for

Jaguars, the only big cat

species found in the Americas. To help conserve this important habitat, the Rainforest Alliance is working with
local communities to develop sustainable forest enterprises and mitigate climate change. Weve also trained
educators in the area to teach children about the importance of conservation.

Rainforest Alliance certification requirements for shade cover and diverse native tree species help
conserve the buffer zones surrounding Indonesia's Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park , a World Heritage
Site and refuge for

Sumatran Tigers. Farmers who learn Rainforest Alliance methods of

sustainable land managementincluding pruning, nourishing the soil and rejuvenating plantsoften see
increased productivity and income, gains that reduce economic pressure to encroach on park boundaries.

The

Great Green Macaw

is an intelligent and vibrant bird that inhabits lowland tropical

rainforests in Central and South America. Its population has dropped at an alarming rate due to deforestation
and capture for the illegal pet trade. Conservationists are working hard to save this beautiful species, and are
sharing valuable information with colleagues on our Eco-Index website

For the critically endangered western lowland

GORILLAS OF GABON , sustainable forest

management can mean the difference between life and death. The Rainforest Alliance works with forestry
companies in the region to conserve millions of acres of forestland in the region through FSC certification. A
recent World Wildlife Fund study found healthy populations of critically endangered gorillas and chimpanzees
on FSC certified logging concessions in the Congo Basin.

Many

NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD SPECIES

are threatened by the loss

of habitats along their transnational journeys. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms and forests provide critically
important habitat for Neotropical migratory birds, including this endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

Sumatran orangutans live up in the trees, climbing from branch to branch and foraging for fruit and insects. They
are found only on the island of Sumatra, where illegal logging and conversion of forestland to palm oil
plantations have caused this critically endangered population to plummet to an estimated 6,600 individuals. The
survival of the orangutan rests on forest conservation and sustainable production, which makes the Rainforest
Alliances work in palm oil certification and carbon sequestration in Indonesia vitally important. vation of their

habitats by choosing Rainforest Alliance Certified hotels and tour operators located on the
Caribbean and Pacific coasts.

The Vishwanatha Temple

SABHA MANDAP

Sun Temple, Modhera

Dilwara Temple of Mount Abu

One of the Hindu temples, built by Chandela Rajputs

Brown

Khajurao Temples were built by Chandel Rajputs.

Jaisalmer, "Gems in the Desert"

Sun Temple of Modhera built by Bhimdev I

Khajuraho,madhya Pradesh

9 everyday products you didn't know had animal

ingredients
1. Plastic Bags

Kate Ter Haar via Creative Commons.

Many plastics, including shopping bags, contain 'slip agents', which reduce the friction in the
material. What are those made of? Animal fat.
In a more technical explanation from Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
News: "Although polymers are manufactured from petroleum feedstock, plastics manufacturers
often use additives of animal origin to improve material properties and/or to aid in processing of
raw polymers" -- which blogger Beth Terry proved first-hand.
Also, watch out for new plastics coming out: Companies like Tyson Foods are experimenting
with keratin protein found in chicken feathers to produce plastics, adhesives and non-wooven
materials. "Someday disposable diapers or hospital gowns could be made from the materials,"
said Jeff Webster, the group vice president of the renewable products division to USA Today.

2. Car and bike tires

Photo: SamuraiGhost via Creative Commons.

Even when food can have hidden animal ingredients, you can still take the time to look at the
label to see it. With your car or bike tires, it's a little more difficult. But here's the trick: check with
the manufacturer if they use animal-based stearic acid, which helps the rubber in tires hold
shape under steady surface friction.
The guys at Vegan Fitness forums took the time to call some brands and made a handy
list of companies that use plant-based alternatives of the component.

3. Glue in wood work and musical instruments

Photo: Luz A. Villa via Creative Commons.

Animal glue (made from the boiling animals cognitive tissue and bones) is apparently the best
adhesive for fixing musical instruments made from wood such as violins and
pianos. Even though other synthetic glues are used too, hide glue is also readily available and
widely used for furniture fixes and wood work: You can even catch a guide on how to use
it online. If you're OK with animal slaughter that is.

4. Biofuels

Photo credit: Western Biodiesel.

Sugar cane and corn are what come to mind at first when we think about biofuels, but over
the past years the use of animal fats to produce these has extended.
There's actually beef biodiesel (which Matthew called a "bone-headed idea" last year)
and chicken biodiesel to choose from.

5. Fireworks

Photo credit: Mr Magoo ICU.

It's no news that fireworks suck real badly in terms of pollution, but bits of animals
in them? Apparently so.
The same component used in the tire industry, stearic acid, is present in the production of
fireworks. The book The Chemistry of Fireworks lists this as an ingredient and an
article in Wikipedia explains that "in fireworks, stearic acid is often used to coat metal
powders such as aluminium and iron. This prevents oxidation, allowing compositions to be
stored for a longer period of time."

Even though it can be plant-sourced, you never know. Another reason to ditch the
bastards.

6. Fabric softener

Photo credit: Mr Magoo ICU.

It was big news on TreeHugger some time ago: Downy fabric softener contains
Dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, which comes from the cattle, sheep and
horse industry. They sure won't put that in the usual 'all-so-soft' advertising.

7. Shampoo and conditioner

Photo: Marcelo Guerrero, via Stock Xchng. Annie Leonard warned us about the
hazardous chemicals in the cosmetics industry, but didn't necessarily emphasis the animal
ingredients.

According to PETA, there are more than 20 components from animals that could be in your
shampoo and conditioner. The tricky part is when you read "Panthenol", "Amino acids", or
"Vitamin B" in a bottle (just to name a few), it can be either from animal or plant source -making it hard to tell. Companies have even removed the word 'animal' from some ingredients
to avoid putting off consumers.
Best way to be sure? Look for vegan brands.

8. Toothpaste

Photo: Festland via Stock Xchng (Royalty free).

Glycerin is found in animal and vegetable fats, which have a chemical composition containing
from 7% to 13% glycerine. When separated from it, it's used in a wide variety of products,
including toothpaste.
As I mentioned with other ingredients, when you read 'glycerin' on shampoo and conditioner, it
can be either animal or plant based, which is a pain.
But many products from commercial brands like Colgate claim to be animal-free and suited
for vegetarians (though the vegetarian product guide is not currently functional on their
website).
If you really want to be sure, try and make your own toothpaste at home.

9. White and brown sugar

Photo: JadeGordon via Stock Xchng (Royalty free).

What about hidden products in the manufacture process? Among vegetarians and vegans, it's
known that purified ash from animal bones is used in filters to refine sugar by some brands,
though there are other companies that use filters with granular carbon or ion exchange systems.
What not all may know is that brown sugar is also refined, only to have molasses added after.
You can opt for unrefined organic sugar or choose the brands that PETA says are vegan.
It's important to note that getting to know where animal products go is not just for vegetarians or
vegans: These byproducts are very likely not sourced from responsible organic farmers,
but from the very frightening and extremely polluting factory farms. So even if you're
a conscious omnivore, watch out.