Save The World Proposal: Fresno Kangaroo Rat

Student’s Name: Instructor: Course: Date: SAVE THE WORLD PROPOSAL Fresno Kangaroo Rat Fresno Kangaroo Rat is also referred to as San Joaquin Kangaroo Rat. It belongs to the species of rodents in the family of Heteromyidae. Fresno Kangaroo Rat is epidemic to areas within and near the San Joaquin Valley of California in the United States. Destruction of its habitat due to agricultural activities and urbanization has put Fresno kangaroo rat at a great risk. The International Union for the conservation of nature has assessed the conservation of this species as vulnerable to the exposure of attack and the possibility of being harmed (Alexander 66). There are three species of Fresno kangaroo rat namely, Fresno subspecies, Tipton subspecies and short nose subspecies. The Fresno kangaroo has found it survival by adapting to the desert. However, they are an endangered species because their desert habitat has been turned to oil fields, a home for agricultural activities and development of infrastructure. The change in the use of land from grazing to farming is one of the factors that have led to the elimination and possible extinction of the Fresno kangaroo from its ecological reserves. Research shows that the effects of livestock grazing on the quality of habitat of Fresno kangaroo rats are lacking (Jacobus, & Goeters 260). This indicates that seasonal livestock grazing at certain levels has an advantageous effect on the habitat. Moreover, flooding also poses a great risk to the protected habitat of Fresno kangaroo. This is because of their proximity to the San Joaquin River and also because the land is similar or is only slightly higher in elevation than the riverbed. Other potential threats to the survival of Fresno kangaroo are the illegal use of rodenticides, competition with the Heermanns kangaroo rat, diseases, and predation. Any of these threats eliminate the isolated population of the species. Every living organism has a vital role to play in the society, therefore saving of the Fresno kangaroo rat species is of benefits to the surrounding community where the rats occupy. Despite the position and the contributions of the living organism to the ecosystem, human beings do not have the right to expose the organism to dangers, but they instead should provide quality care to microorganisms ( Bennett, Nancy & Eklund 16). They can eat the seeds of the plant and also help create an ecosystem that is appreciated by other endangered animals, for example, the kit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard. Plants also benefit whereby the seed clippings the rats use to surround burrows help enrich the soil with nutrients. Saving of the Fresno kangaroo rat species is of importance...