ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 10 Fascinating Migratory Animals and the Importance of Protecting Their Journeys – GWC Mag gwcmagFebruary 13, 2024057 views The phenomenon of animal migration is a marvel of nature, showcasing the incredible adaptability and survival instincts of various species. Migratory animals cover astonishing distances and there is always a purpose behind their long journeys. However, as climate change poses threats to these migrations, it becomes crucial for us to understand their significance and take measures to protect their routes. 1. Arctic Tern Source: Brut America/Youtube Arctic Terns migrate from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back, covering more than 18,000 miles annually. They undertake this treacherous journey in search of optimal breeding and feeding grounds. The Arctic Tern‘s migration is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity and ensuring the availability of abundant food sources throughout their lifecycle. To protect their migration, we must conserve their breeding sites and ensure the availability of food sources along their route. This includes reducing pollution in their habitats, conserving marine resources, and establishing protected areas. 2. Wildebeest Source: National Geographic/Youtube Each year, millions of wildebeest migrate in search of fresh grazing lands. Covering 800- 1,000 miles between Tanzania and Kenya, their migration is essential for maintaining ecosystem balance. The wildebeest‘s movement not only benefits their own survival but also plays a vital role in nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, and providing food for predators. To preserve their migration, it is crucial to conserve their habitats, prevent land fragmentation, and avoid overgrazing by domestic livestock. 3. Monarch Butterfly Source: Documentaries Zone/Youtube Monarch butterflies undertake an epic journey from Canada and the United States to Mexico, spanning thousands of miles. This migration is vital for their survival as they seek warmer climates and access to milkweed plants for breeding. Monarchs rely on milkweed as the sole host plant for their caterpillars. To protect their migration, it is essential to address habitat loss, promote the planting of milkweed gardens, and reduce the use of harmful pesticides that affect their reproductive success. 4. Gray Whale Source: National Geographic/Youtube Gray whales migrate over 10,000 miles annually, traveling from the Arctic to the warmer waters of Baja California, Mexico. They undertake this journey to give birth and find food. The gray whale’s migration not only ensures the survival of their species but also contributes to the coastal ecosystems they visit. To ensure their migration remains uninterrupted, it is crucial to mitigate human activities such as Pollution, ship collisions, and disturbance in their breeding and feeding areas. 5. Humpback Whale Source: National Geographic/Youtube Humpback whales migrate up to 6,000 miles each year as they travel from their feeding grounds in polar regions to warmer waters for breeding. Protecting their migration involves implementing measures to reduce ocean noise, conserve their feeding grounds, and prevent entanglement in fishing gear. The humpback whale’s journey is essential for their reproductive success, as warmer waters offer protection for newborn calves and abundant food sources for nursing mothers. 6. Caribou Source: BBC Studios/Youtube Caribou undertake one of the longest land migrations, covering up to 2,000 miles in search of food and breeding grounds. Their migration is a remarkable adaptation to the harsh Arctic environment. Caribou play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitats by regulating vegetation growth, providing food for predators, and dispersing seeds. Ensuring their migration is not disrupted requires preserving their habitats, managing predator populations, and reducing disturbances caused by human activities such as infrastructure development. 7. Leatherback Sea Turtle Source: SEE Turtles/Youtube Leatherback sea turtles migrate thousands of miles between breeding and feeding grounds. Their journeys are crucial for breeding success and finding abundant food sources. Protecting their migration involves addressing issues like marine Pollution, habitat degradation, and accidental bycatch in fishing nets. Conservation efforts must focus on protecting nesting beaches, implementing turtle-friendly fishing practices, and reducing plastic pollution in oceans to ensure the survival of these ancient creatures. 8. Sockeye Salmon Source: National Geographic/Youtube Sockeye salmon migrate up to 900 miles from the ocean to their freshwater spawning grounds. Their migration plays a vital role in nutrient cycling and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Protecting their migration involves conserving their spawning habitats, managing fisheries sustainably, and addressing water Pollution issues. By protecting their migration routes, we can ensure the continuation of salmon populations, which are not only crucial for the health of rivers and lakes but also Support countless other species dependent on their nutrients. 9. Bar-headed Goose Source: Janardanan Wildlife/Youtube Bar-headed geese migrate over the Himalayas, reaching altitudes of over 5 miles in their journey between breeding and wintering sites. Their migration is driven by the availability of food and favorable climate conditions. To safeguard their migration, it is essential to preserve their breeding and stopover sites, as well as ensure that the wetlands and grasslands they rely on for food are protected. Climate change poses a significant threat to these geese, as it alters the availability of suitable stopover sites and disrupts their timing of migration. 10. Pacific Salmon Source: Ocean Wise/Youtube Pacific salmon undertake extensive migrations, traveling thousands of miles from freshwater rivers to the ocean and back to spawn. Their journey is vital for the survival of both the species and the ecosystems they inhabit. Salmon serve as a keystone species, providing nutrients to river systems and acting as a food source for various predators. Protecting their migration involves managing fisheries sustainably, restoring river habitats, and addressing the impacts of Climate change on their spawning grounds. The migratory journeys of these fascinating animals highlight the connections between species, habitats, and their ecosystems. Protecting their migrations is crucial for maintaining biodiversity. Addressing the threats posed by Climate change, habitat loss, Pollution, and human disturbances becomes imperative to ensure the uninterrupted journeys of animals. By implementing conservation measures, raising awareness, and supporting initiatives that prioritize the preservation of migration routes, we can contribute to the long-term survival of these species and the ecosystems they inhabit. Animals Are My Favorite People by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection Animals Are My Favorite People by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection Being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content.Click here to Support Us Related Content: Easy Ways to Help the Planet: Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks. 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