Wired wildlife

By CONNIE MERTZ

For wildlife buffs, students and teachers alike, the new web site on contemporary endangered and threatened species by the Pennsylvania Game Commission is a “must see.” It is an educational bonanza.

There are 14 endangered species plus eight threatened species in Pennsylvania and each is profiled on the web site. Information is not only given for each species including habitat needs, locations and reasons for decline, but a colored photograph helps to identify it even further. The information is up to date, easily accessed and downloadable.

There are also lesson plans for teachers who want to include these species in their curriculum. All in all, the site is an excellent source of information for anyone. Log onto www.pgc.state.pa.us and select “wildlife.” A screen of endangered and threatened species will appear; just click on the species of interest. There is even information on the passenger pigeon, an extinct species.

Publishing on the net, rather than in book form as done in the past, is a money-saver. It is not only the work of the Game Commission, but a conglomeration of other organizations that have supplied photos and research to complete the profiles.

And if the viewer wants a list of national endangered and threatened species, there are other links which supply the information.