The Shoebill

The Shoebill is a tall bird usually ranges from 43 to 55 inches. It mostly appears in wetlands and swamps.  They are very slow even "statue like" They are quite sensitive to human disturbance and may abandon their nests if disturbed by humans. The shoebill is normally silent. They are mainly found distributed throughout the African continent.

The Olinguito

          The olinguito, or Bassaricyon neblina, is a species of procyonid endemic to the cloud forests of Columbia and Peru. In 2013, this arboreal critter became the first member of the order Carnivora discovered in over 35 years. Previously thought to be an olingo, an olinguito was uncovered in Chicago's Field Museum. The specimen's DNA was tested, and it was confirmed that it was it's own distinct species. The olinguito is omnivorous, feeding upon fruit, nectar, and insects. So far, four different subspecies have been described: B. n. neblina, B. n. osborni, B. n. hershkovitzi, and B. n. ruber. Currently, it is unknown whether olinguitos are at risk to deforestation, but with growing agricultural industries, they may soon be. For more information on the discovery, visit this site: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/for-the-first-time-in-35-years-a-new-carnivorous-mammal-species-is-discovered-in-the-americas-48047/?no-ist

MacFarlane's Bear

        MacFarlane's bear lies directly on the barrier between cryptozoology and modern biology. Some believe it is a new species, some believe it is a new subspecies, some believe it is a hybrid bear, and some believe that it doesn't even exist.

        In 1864, Inuit hunters shot an enormous, yellow-furred bear in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The hunters gave the bear's skin and skull to naturalist Roderick MacFarlane. Mr. MacFarlane sent the remains to the Smithsonian Institute, where they were soon stowed away and forgotten. After a while, Dr. Clinton Hart Merriam discovered the skull and skin. Merriam deduced that the bear had been shot outside the brown bear's range, and concluded that it couldn't have been a grizzly. In 1918, he described that the bear was an entirely new species, as well as a new genus.

        Although there have been unconfirmed sightings, most people believe that MacFarlane's bear may have gone extinct in the past 150 years. Even if it is extinct, there is still much controversy on the classification of the bear. One of the most popular theories is that the skin and skull belonged to a Grolar bear, a hybrid between a grizzly bear and a polar bear. These hybrids have been documented in the wild, so they're a possible candidate. It is also a possibility that MacFarlane's bear was a representative of a Pleistocene species.

        Modern science may soon reveal the true identity of the bear, but until then, scientists will be divided on their beliefs, whether a grizzly bear, a hybrid bear, or an entirely new species.

The Sumatran Elephant

         The Sumatran Elephant, or Elephus maximus sumatranus, is a subspecies of the Asian Elephant, or Elephus maximus. With less than 3,000 individuals left in the wild, these elephants are on the critically endangered list. They are on a downhill slope towards extinction, having lost 80% of their population in the last 25 years. Over the last three generations, 70% of the Sumatran Elephant's Indonesian habitat has been lost. This elephant can reach a height of up to 10 feet and a weight of over 4 tons. With declining numbers, these majestic animals may become extinct in the near future.

The Mexican Wolf

       The Mexican Wolf, or Canis lupus baileyi, is the most endangered wolf in the world as well as one of the most critically endangered animals in the world. This subspecies of the gray wolf has very few packs left in the wild. With fewer than 85 individuals left in the wild, the Mexican wolf can only be found in Apache National Forest (Arizona), and Gila National Forest (New Mexico). They will kill and eat deer, elk, and javelina, but will also eat an animal carcass if they come across one. With so few numbers, the Mexican Wolf may soon disappear.