Madagascar is renowned for its diverse array of wildlife – yet many of these species have become increasingly threatened with extinction due to the loss of their habitats. This sad fact has made Madagascar an urgent conservation priority for the last two decades. Part of the problem stems from illegal logging, slash and burn agriculture and cattle pasture.

Humans have always had an affinity for animals, but our connection to bonobos runs much deeper than a simple affection - as we share 97.8 percent of the same DNA with this highly intelligent species.

It was 5:00 a.m. when we left to visit our third school. We drove an hour to the Wildlife Refuge of Chaconcente, and then after breakfast, set off on a three hour horseback ride and walk to the beach. I have never been horseback-riding, much less through a forest, but today I saw and heard creatures that I really did not want to see. There were wild bulls that were ready to attack our horses at any time, spiders, snakes and pretty much anything else you can imagine that would be living in the wild! After about an hour we made it the beach.

Known for its amazing beauty, millions of tourists flock to Madagascar every year hoping to catch a glimpse of the vast array of wildlife that call this area home. Yet the forests of this wooded paradise are in danger – and along with it, the lives of the animals that live there.

The snow leopard is a magnificent, large cat found throughout the higher reaches of the Himalayas. These athletic animals have been known to leap as far as 50 feet - and take down an animal three times their weight. Yet these capable cats have been fighting a battle that’s hard to win – the race against extinction.

It’s estimated that there are only 3,500 to 7,000 snow leopards left in the world. In India, snow leopards still roam throughout the northernmost portions of the country, and a new project plans to keep it that way.

Day 3 - A Jounal by Linda Weisenmiller

Cuteness plus!!!!

Loggerheads are amazing animals that are almost 110 million years old. And, whether they are swimming or just resting on the bottom of the sea floor, these omnivorous ocean-dwellers are always interesting!

Around SeaWorld Orlando, this loggerhead sea turtles is known as "Mr. 1,000."