Animal Lover Badge

No timescale.  Complete 5 of the 10 Clauses.

Clause 1 - Take full responsibility caring for a pet for at least three months.

We have owned chickens for over 18 months. DONE.

Clause 3 - Learn about three animals which are close to extinction.  What can we do to help protect them?

I chose three obscure animals because everyone knows about the larger and more impressive animals.  These little ones are still part of the ecosystem and need to be protected.  Visiting the Wild Place Project and spending money there helps them to support the causes that are looking after these critically endangered creatures.  Look away now if the eight-legged freaks you out! (This Clause overlaps with the Environmetalist Badge). DONE.

• PARTULA SNAILS - French Polynesia.  They were wiped out in Tahiti by the introduction of Florida rosy wolf snails into their habitat.  The wolf snails were supposed to control the infestation of giant African land snails, but they ate the Partulas instead.  There were 76 known species of Partula Snails, the wolf snails devoured all but 12 species.  The Wild Place Project is captively breeding these snails and have helped create a safe reserve in which to release them into their native habitat.
  
• LEMUR LEAF FROGS (Hylomantis lemur) - Costa Rica. These frogs have anti-fungal properties in their skin, and yet are still threatened by the fungal disease chtridiomycosis, a common disease in tree frogs.  Wild Place Project are surveying the historic range of these frogs to establish their current range.  The first successful captive breeding was in the Manchester Museum's Vivarium "Project Leaf Frog".  Bristol Zoo is also captively breeding them.
  
• DESERTAS WOLF SPIDERS (Hogna ingens) - Madeira.  The Deserta Grande Island in the Madeira archipelago is their native habitat. Wild Place Project are helping to restore the habitat for these spiders and bolstering the population through captive breeding.  There are now less than 5000 adults and are one of the rarest wolf spiders. They are also one of the largest wolf spiders on Earth with a 12cm leg span for a female.  Their habitat is being invaded by a grass named Phalaris aquatica.

Clause 5 - Visit a Zoo, Farm or Animal Sanctuary

Visited the Wild Place Project on Saturday 13th August.  We also stayed on a working farm and the children helped feed calves. DONE.

Clause 7 - Take an initiative which improves conditions for wildlife.

Our new chicken-proof (hah!) plants are also wildlife friendly, particularly for bees.  The local resident's association has been greening some unused land.  We have created bug hotels and planted bee-friendly plants.  Our Street has also agreed to be a "Bee Street" and chemical spraying by the Council is not permitted this year. DONE.

Clause 8 - If you have a pet, make a proactive change to their lifestyle to improve their current way of life.

We have extended the chicken run and built them some shelters and perches.  I also attempted growing wheat from seed but growing it inside didn't work because it stinks.  The chickens appreciated it, though. DONE.