Bear Paws For A Cause Links: Home | About | Sponsorships | Map (PDF) | FAQs | Age Grading
Event Reviews | Endangered Species
Why does Bear Paws for a Cause recognize an endangered species?
Because Ranger Bear cares!!
Each year, most university mascots travel to warm destinations known for fun for spring break. However, Ranger Bear decided to spend his week learning learn a little more about other species in the world. He was saddened to hear about all the species whose habitat was being threatened and making it difficult for them to survive. That’s when Ranger Bear had a brilliant idea. "I'm going to raise awareness of an endangered species at the Bear Paws for a Cause Race! We’ll feature a new species each year and hopefully all our runners and walkers will help to spread the word."
So in 2011, the HESM Event Management class that helps Ranger Bear organize the race, held a little competition on campus and from the proposals, ‘Omar’ the Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux blewitt) from central India was chosen for the 2012 race.
This species has a tiny, severely fragmented population, known from less than ten recent locations. It is likely to be declining as a result of loss of its deciduous forest habitat. Although surveys continue to discover more individuals, these factors lead to its present classification as Critically Endangered. The species faces a number of threats which in combination are suspected to be causing a decline at a rate of 10-19% over ten years. Forest in its range is being lost and degraded by illegal tree cutting for firewood and timber, and encroachment for cultivation, grazing and settlements, as well as forest fires and minor irrigation dams. Overgrazing by cattle may reduce habitat suitability. 1
Look for Omar to make an appearance on T-shirts, brochures, and other race materials to help us raise awareness of Endangered Species!
Be Aware - Like Ranger Bear!
1 BirdLife International (2011) Species factsheet: Heteroglaux blewitti. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 15/06/2011.
Bear Paws For A Cause Links: Home | About | Sponsorships | Map (PDF) | FAQs | Age Grading
Event Reviews | Endangered Species
