Quagga Facts and Figures

Name: Quagga (pronounced KWAH-gah, after its distinctive call); also known as Equus quagga quagga Habitat: Plains of South Africa Historical Period: Late Pleistocene-Modern (300,000-150 years ago) Size and Weight: About four feet high and 500 pounds Diet: Grass Distinguishing Characteristics: Stripes on head and neck; modest size; brown posterior About the Quagga Of all the animals that have gone extinct over the past 500 million years, the Quagga has the distinction of being the first to have had its DNA analyzed, in 1984. Modern science quickly dissipated 200 years of confusion: when it was first described by South African naturalists, in 1778, the Quagga was pegged as a species of genus Equus (which comprises horses, zebras, and donkeys). However, its DNA, extracted from the hide of a preserved specimen, showed that the Quagga was actually a sub-species of the classic Plains Zebra, which diverged from the parent stock in Africa anywhere between 300,000 and 100,000 years ago, during the later Pleistocene epoch. (This shouldnt have come as a surprise, considering the zebra-like stripes that covered the Quaggas head and neck.) Unfortunately, the Quagga was no match for the Boer settlers of South Africa, who prized this zebra offshoot for its meat and its coat (and hunted it just for sport as well). Those Quaggas that werent shot and skinned were humiliated in other ways; some were used, more or less successfully, to herd sheep, and some were exported for display in foreign zoos (one well-known and much-photographed individual lived in the London Zoo in the mid-19th century). A few Quaggas even wound up pulling carts full of tourists in early 19th century England, which much have quite been an adventure considering the Quaggas mean, skittish disposition (even today, zebras are not known for their gentle natures, which helps to explain why they were never domesticated like modern horses.) The last living Quagga, a mare, died in full sight of the world, in an Amsterdam zoo in 1883. However, you may yet have the chance to see a living Quagga—or at least a modern interpretation of a living Quagga—thanks to the controversial scientific program known as de-extinction. In 1987, a South African naturalist hatched a plan to selectively breed back the Quagga from a population of plains zebras, specifically aiming to reproduce the Quaggas distinctive stripe pattern. Whether or not the resulting animals count as genuine Quaggas, or are technically only zebras that look superficially like Quaggas, will likely not matter to the tourists that (in a few years) will be able to glimpse these majestic beasts on the Western Cape.

Personal Effects Of Bullying Essay - 1739 Words

Bullying is a set of harmful behaviors that children and adults impose on others to gain a false sense of empowerment. Bullies are often intensely insecure themselves and will do anything in their power to make another human being feel worse than they currently do about themselves. Bullying is a problem within schools, workplaces, and even a family’s home. Bullying can have life long consequences for both the bully and their victim. Many children are the victims of bullies, and some take such steps as attempting to end their own life in hopes of never being bullied again. Many schools place rules and procedures in place in hopes of reducing or eliminating the presence of bullying within their educational institutions. Many of which do not†¦show more content†¦I knew my mother did not know about the abuse I was enduring and if she did, she would leave my stepfather. However, I also knew my family could not make it financially without him. Therefore, I forced myself to no longer express my frustrations through my behaviors with other people, as to not cause any suspicions with my family. I unknowingly was participating in the vortex of violence. I was displacing my anger into someone who I viewed as being weaker than I was, and therefore more deserving of my frustrations. Years later, in late middle school and throughout high school, the tables had turned and I was now the victim of bullying on many occasions and by many different bullies. When I was bullied in late middle school, my already low self esteem was broken even further as a result. Therefore, as I entered high school and experienced more hurtful acts of bullying, I had little self esteem left. I began to skip school quite often to the point where the school was threatening to kick me out due to me only going to class a total of 11 days in a semester. My mother had no idea of any of this. Even when the school threatened to kick me out, they did not contact her to inform her of my absenc es and the potential consequences for these absences. I have also been a bystander on a fewShow MoreRelatedBullying Argumentative essay970 Words   |  4 PagesWriting Argumentative Essay 25 November 2013 Bullying Have you ever seen or experienced bullying and the dramatic effects it has on its victims? Unfortunately nine out of every ten students have experienced bullying in school or online. Many people believe that bullying is a part of growing up and kids do not know any better. Bullies are intentionally causing mental and or physical damage to their victims, which will affect them for the rest of their lives. Bullying has shown that it canRead MoreIs Cyberbullying Becoming An Added Struggle Of Mental Health Essay1269 Words   |  6 Pagesbecoming an added struggle of mental health which burden the New Zealand Youth (Bilby, 2016). To endeavour to cover the cyberbullying topic this essay will introduce the development of the internet and Facebook. Secondly, it will outline the concern of cyberbullying, the roles of a victim and perpetrator. Furthermore, indicating the beginning and long term effects and consequences of the cyberbully issue and lastly identifies how the issue is being addressed within New Zealand with recommendations as toRead MoreBullying Is A Common Problem881 Words   |  4 Pages Bullying is a common problem. Bullying is very negative and creates bigger problems for society. Since many people don`t take bullying serious, they are often left shocked and confused when an incident occurs as a result of bullying. This essay is about dealing with bullying and one teens desparate struggle to deal with the issue; which ultimately led to her suicide at the age of 15. There are many forms of bullying. Two types of bullying that Amanda experienced was emotional bullying, which includesRead MoreProposing a Solution Essay Bullying767 Words   |  4 PagesSolution: Bullying Bullying among American elementary, middle and high school students is a growing problem. Bullying has been defined many ways, by many people. One definition is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. (stopbullying.org). Bullying is a very negative act and honestly needs to be stopped. This essay will provide my solution for the growing bullying problem in our schools. Over the years, bullying has becomeRead MoreBullying And Its Effects On Society1313 Words   |  6 PagesBullying is defined as a use of superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, typically to force him or her to do what one wants. The bully and those who are bullied can be of any age; bullying does not discriminate. There are a number of psychological causes and effects that can cause bullying and also the lasting effects of. However, in order to understand the psychology behind bullying, one must understand the reasons that influence one to become a bully and the effects it can have onRead MoreThe Concept Of Self Concept1123 Words   |  5 Pagesdifficulties and social reclusion. Recent psychological research has also discovered that inflated self-concept is correlated to violence, including bullying and even criminal acts. While reminiscent of the neo-Freudian Narcissistic Personality Indicator, Carl Rogers’ phenomenological theory is a better explanation of t he apparent drive towards bullying and positive self-concepts. Rogers defines self-concept (hereafter the self) as the stable, but malleable, and organized pattern of perceptions aboutRead MoreSocial Media And Its Effects On Society Essay1396 Words   |  6 Pageselectronic devices. Although social media does provide opportunities for people to keep in contact, many do believe that social media has a negative impact on human communication skills because face-to-fact encounters are lessened, an increase in cyber bullying is present, and the impacts effecting writing skills. Due to the advancement and use of social media, children are lacking the fundamental skills learned as a child to build effective communication skills throughout their lives. When most peopleRead MoreEssay about Bullying and Harassment1373 Words   |  6 PagesManaging bullying and harassment in the workplace When most of us hear the term ‘bullying’ we seem to reflect back on childhood memories of the schoolyard bully tormenting others for self-amusement, much to the distain of others around them. Unfortunately this seems not to be the only time such behaviour occurs. Workplace bullying and harassment can be defined as ‘Offending, socially excluding someone or negatively affecting someone’s work tasks. It can occur repeatedly and regularly over a periodRead MoreThe Effects Of Workplace On Health And Wellbeing Of Their Employees1508 Words   |  7 Pagesorganisations to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees. Workplace bullying includes verbal, physical, psychological or social abuse by an employer or colleague at work. Rousseau et al (2015, p.287) define workplace bullying as ‘repeated occurrences of negative acts over a sustained duration’ in which victims are unable to defend themselves. Furthermore, Randall (cited in Olive and Cangem i, 2015, p.20) defines workplace bullying as ‘aggressive behaviours that are intended to inflict psychologicalRead MoreSocial Network1015 Words   |  5 Pages4/8/13 essay - Causes and Effects of Social Networking Causes and Effects of Social Networking Navigation Home #1: Bullying #2: Self Expression and Creativity #3: Sharing Knowledge From Around The World Audience Potential Causes and Effects Sources cited Thesis essa y Sitema p Se ar c h t hi s si t e essay The Effects Of Social Networking Jenna King per. 4 4/5/12 Every day, thousands of people are logging on to social networking websites. Some play games, some chat with friends

Natural disaster risk assessment and risk management Free Essays

Disasters have occurred in the world over for many years. They have occurred both in MDCs and LDCs. These disasters have either been caused by human forces or natural forces or interaction of both natural and human forces. We will write a custom essay sample on Natural disaster risk assessment and risk management or any similar topic only for you Order Now When they occur they cause serious challenges and consequences to the economies of affected areas or countries. It’s estimated that the world looses over 750 dollars annually as a result of disaster. In most cases, the phenomenon that triggers disasters is beyond human control. In general the loses that causes natural disasters are largely a function of human factors which are human decisions, human actions and human choices or sometimes lack of these. Before I go into specifying a specific human disaster threat, it is important to exactly know what a disaster is or what it means. A disaster means misfortunes or calamities. It can also be termed as an incident of great harm and distress. It’s a serious disruption of functions of society causing widespread human, material or environmental loses that exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources. In this case, I am going to specifically dwell on earthquake as a natural disaster and its threats. Earthquake is a tremor caused by the disturbance of the earth surface. When it happens it causes great destruction economically, socially and even psychologically to the people living around. Because earthquakes are natural disasters, human have no control over them and this can explain why naturally occurring disasters have serious impact on human society. They only leave human beings with the option of reducing their impacts when they occur. As I have mentioned before, disaster is a result of human force, natural force or a combination of both; management for these disasters have been put in place. Disaster management simply is a body of policy and administrative decisions and operational activities which pertain to various stages of a disaster at all levels. So disaster management body has to come up with personnel and facilities dealing with earthquakes. The personnel includes both the administrative, individuals and community actions who try to minimize loss of lives or/and damage of facilities. This they do through disaster preparedness includes efforts for effective rescue of people involved in the earthquake disaster, relief and also rehabilitation and reconstruction of destroyed materials like buildings. The administration, individuals and community also engage in disaster mitigation which encompasses all measures to reduce the impact the earthquake disaster phenomenon by improving the community’s ability o withstand the impact of the earthquake. This they do through the prevention, preparedness and real response of earthquake disaster during or after which includes relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Earthquake disaster will definitely leave behind vulnerable people who are prone to it again incase it occurs again. To be vulnerable is to live with a likelihood that one will suffer from hazardous events. In the society, some people are more vulnerable than others. The nearness to hazardous places the more the consequence one will face. Earlier, earthquake disasters have established that natural hazards are a cause of vulnerability to disasters. People who live or work in certain areas are prone to disasters that may occur to such areas. This means that humans living or working in certain areas make themselves vulnerable to earthquakes disaster, for example if they live in areas of volcanic activities then they are prone to earthquakes or earth movements respectively. Vulnerability is simply reduced to zero by people not living in affected areas. Scientists, technologists and engineers have attempted to predict hazardous events and development of technologies that can enable human structures to withstand earthquakes. The assumption has been that events are acts of nature that cannot be prevented but rather there are possibilities of reducing their consequences. As a result of this, technologies and materials for building and construction for example have been developed so that they can withstand earthquakes or earth movements. In spite of many games in the scientific and technological process to control vulnerability to earthquake disasters people continue to be injured, die and loss of property. One reason for this is because many earthquake disasters predictions and other mitigative technology are costly and individuals and communities are either unwilling or unable to afford them. The costs tend to set criteria for deciding on what mitigation methods to use under various circumstances.   So according to this view, although vulnerability is a cost, vulnerability reduction is itself costly. As I mentioned before, disaster does not choose specific people and the nearer one gets to it or lives near it the more vulnerable he or she becomes. Earthquakes disasters do not choose the poor or the rich but it affects anyone or everyone. So earthquake or earth movement disasters impose a varied number of consequences on the humans, animals, physical and environmental aspects. These consequences can be in view of the time period of a disaster that is either short term, mid term or long term. To UNECLAC, effects of disasters are short term consequences of disaster that comprise of direct damage,, indirect damages and secondary effect. Impacts comprise of economic, social, psychological and environmental impacts. These are mainly long term consequences of disasters. The worst case scenario that determines the degree of risk is whereby disaster occurs because people who are vulnerable simply do not know when the disaster may occur, what protection measures to take and these coupled with negative attitudes towards use of certain measures. This increases human suffering from disastrous situation. A good example here is a case where by simple earth tremors or movements occur frequently leaving   people with a normal assumption that such have been happening and that have never had effect on them. This will definitely make everyone to take such scenarios for granted not knowing that one day the tremor can turn out to be an earthquake. When it turns to be earthquake, it will find everyone unaware and hence will end up affecting the majority. The fact that disaster can happen anywhere and anytime, everyone should be prepared. Earthquakes disasters are categorized as either simple, Meagre or complex. What one society can look at as a simple earthquake disaster can be perceived as complex earthquake disaster by another society. Some disasters are also seen as rapid while others seen as slow. I may say that most earthquakes disasters can be considered as initially slow or creeping because mostly they begin as earth movement or tremors before ending up as earthquakes which are considered to being rapid. Earthquakes are as a result of natural forces or an interaction of human and natural hence they are beyond human control thus the society should be prepared on how they can be mitigated however much costly it may be. People should also be prepared because of the damages the earth quakes cause whether partial or complete destructions of physical infrastructure like buildings, people, communication networks, machineries, etc.   They can be indirect damages that the damage to the flow of goods and services that can neither be produced nor distributed when a disaster occurs. Indirect damages are of four folds namely; increased population costs, increased damages, loss of corporate incomes and unexpected expenditures. In conclusion, earthquake disasters neither belong to the rich or poor but to everyone. This means it can affect everyone as long as one lives on the earth’s surface. References www.redcross.com How to cite Natural disaster risk assessment and risk management, Essay examples