Merove favoured genetic familiarity last week, but will this week’s team member choose a close relative or opt for something more obscure?

Ben Roberts – ARKive In-House Designer

Favourite species? Tiger

Why? I’ve always loved tigers since I was little. They seem mysterious, powerful and graceful all at the same time. Plus, they just look cool! I used to draw them, paint them, make lego tigers, and do etchings of them. All that’s left art-wise is to photograph them – maybe one day! I did used to think all Siberian tigers were white though, for camouflage in the snow!

The tiger is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. Tiger parts are used in many traditional Oriental medicines as an anti-inflammatory, even though it is listed on the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and trade is therefore banned. The market for tiger fur is also increasing. Habitat loss and the consequential decrease in prey populations have led to tigers taking domestic livestock and coming into conflict with local farmers. Habitat loss has also isolated certain populations, which remain in one area and eventually die out.

See more photos and videos of the tiger on ARKive.

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Last week lion-loving Maggie showed her support for her favourite species, but will this weeks team member be wild for whiskers or think scales are superior?

Merove Heifetz – Chief Operating Officer, Wildscreen USA

Favourite species? Bonobo

Why? It’s my favorite species because they are a very peaceful and intelligent species that are so incredibly human-like in their appearance and in their expressions.

The bonobo is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. The bonobo is threatened due to land conversion for agriculture throughout Congo, where it is endemic. The rising demand for bushmeat is also compromising the future of this human-like primate.

See more photos and videos of the bonobo on ARKive.

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This week we’ve crossed The Atlantic once more to find out if, like Ellie, the Wildscreen USA team think sea life is supreme or if their loyalties lay with life on land.

Maggie Graham – Program Assistant, Wildscreen USA

Favourite species? Lion

Why? They are a symbol of raw courage, beauty and freedom to me.

Favourite image on ARKive:

The lion is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Conflicts with farmers are not uncommon as much of the lion’s original range has been converted into agricultural land, reducing the amount of available prey and habitat and providing new, easily accessible prey in the form of cattle. In certain areas, lions are viewed as pest species and are often shot or poisoned.

See more photos and videos of the lion on ARKive.

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Last time Liana proved her passion for plant-life, but will this week’s ARKive team member believe botany is best or animals are awesome?

Ellie Dart – Online Outreach Manager

Favourite species? Dusky dolphin

Why? The dusky dolphin stole my heart when I was in New Zealand eight years ago. I love the dusky dolphin’s playful character, its social nature and its ability to put on an impromptu acrobatics show.

It was a cold snowy morning when a group of 100 or more dolphins started swimming alongside our boat. I’d never seen so many dolphins at one time. Wetsuits on, we jumped into the sea with them. I think my heart actually skipped a couple of beats – perhaps it was the shock of the ice cold water, or perhaps it was their power that took my breath away.

They were bigger up close than they looked from the boat, and the speed at which they moved was to begin with, verging on terrifying, as they rocketed towards us, before playfully curving around. But within seconds, I felt at home with them, splashing around in the water (though my movements were significantly less graceful than theirs). Everywhere I looked there were dolphins – twirling to the side of me, diving underneath me and shooting out of the water and over my head. These dolphins know how to have fun and showed me a truly unforgettable morning.

Favourite dusky dolphin image(s) on ARKive:

The dusky dolphin is classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. Threats to this species are thought to include entanglement in gillnets and illegal harpooning for meat.

See more photos and videos of the dusky dolphin.

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This week we have crossed the Atlantic to see if the Wildscreen USA team have a different approach to the amazing species ARKive has to offer. Will a seasonal visitor be favoured by this week’s team member like it was for Susan Russell, or something slightly more stationary?

Liana Vitali – ARKive Science, Education and Outreach Officer, Wildscreen USA

Favourite species? Bristlecone pine

Why? It’s my favorite species because it’s one of, if not the oldest living organisms on the planet. It has amazingly twisted branches and although at first glance it appears to have withered away, it’s really thriving underneath; a kind of diamond in the rough. Finally, the tree ring growths are used to study climate change since these trees date back over 4,000 years ago. It’s mind-boggling to think that you can touch a living tree that was on Earth well before the pyramids were built!

Favourite bristlecone pine image on ARKive:

Bristlecone pines are thought to be one of the world's oldest living organisms

The bristlecone pine is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. As a slowly regenerating plant, future climate and environmental conditions could pose a future threat to future populations of this species. Diseases and insect pests are injurious to the bristlecone pine, as well as fires and vandalism. The location of ‘Methuselah’, thought to be the oldest living tree at around 4,789 years old, is kept secret to avoid vandalism.

 See more photos and videos of the bristlecone pine.

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