Extinction - Raising conservation awareness

[PlecPicker]

Hello Ladies & Gentlemen,

I will be working along with artists on a collection of pieces called 'Extinction'. It will showcase the great animals mankind has helped wipe out.

Each piece will feature an iconic image along with scientific/historical facts.

Here are the current apex contenders;
*Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thylacine
*Panthera tigris virgata (Caspian Tiger) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_tiger
*Dinornis novaezealandiae (North Island Giant Moa) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Island_Giant_Moa

I'd love to here your opinions and add a few more creatures to the list

[OdinsRaven]

The New England Red Wolf was declared extinct in the wild in 1980. Luckily 17 or so were captured prior to that and with a little breeding there are now estimated to be 100 or so in the wild and 165 in captivity. They're not technically extinct, but the story behind it is very interesting.

[PlecPicker]

Very interesting. From a biodiversity standpoint, its great to know that humans are now using their brains instead of a gun/spear. Bringing back top predators is definitely the way to go for to improve overall flora/fauna recovery.

What a beautiful animal. Humans can have such a direct influence.

[JackBean]

Why are big (great) animals more important than small (little) animals or any plants?

[PlecPicker]

Well I'm of opinion that apex predators keep animal populations at an equilibrium.
Take the gray wolf as an example and look up Yellowstone Park.
Without a natural check to keep grazers from over grazing, plant species die off & the food source of small (little) animals is exhausted.

Lose Lose for everyone

[JorgeLobo]

Jack makes a good point. For the example offered, the prey species are also affected by man and the less evident (and less emotional) extinctions can also be interpreted to have a substantial impact.

But these guys are artists - not biologists - and are looking for the emotional appeal. Plec, what do you see as the objective, bext outcome of this effort?

[PlecPicker]

Jack and Jorge you both make good points. Perhaps I should have explained myself better. The plan is to start with a top predator and work down the food chain. I'd love to do a close to extinction set of pieces. Bonobo's and and Scottish wild cats are something I'd love people to take interest in (for the right reasons). New Zealand flora & birdlife too.

[JackBean]

Moa is predator?

[PlecPicker]

Oh I forgot to mention Moa/ hasst's eagle will be linked together. Just designing the Moa first so wanted a bit of feedback on that

[PlecPicker]

I've added the golden toad to the list
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Toad

Along with the western black rhinoceros
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Black_Rhinoceros

I wish to add marine life along with rodents to the list. Could someone point me in the right direction?

Thank you

[JorgeLobo]

Who is your audience - what demographic?

[PlecPicker]

The designs will be on guitar picks (so options for separate pictures/details on each side).

I will obviously be selling to musicians and i can imagine them wanting something bold and unique. Album art has always has always been designed to be eye catching, striking or quirky so along them lines.

I'm interested in doing a skeletal profile on one side & drawing upon that to recreate what the animal would look like alive on the flip side. So striking anatomy