Telipogon diabolicus (Devil Orchid)

[theanalyst]

Anyone else intrigued by this newly discovered species?

'Demon Orchid' Has a 'Devil Head' and Claw-Like Petals

[fishmom]

Cool looking flower! Wonder how hard it would be to grow?

Doesn't seem like they will be on the market if they are well protected, though.

[AvantGardner]

Awesome but saddening story

[Subrosa]

The best protection for any endangered species, particularly those from limited or specialized habitats is to be commercialized.

[fishmom]

Good point, if the endangered habitat isn't threatened.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

The best protection for any endangered species, particularly those from limited or specialized habitats is to be commercialized.

I agree, that's what they did with the Wollemi pine, a prehistoric relic found in a valley in Australia, after years of propagation, now found in garden centres everywhere in the UK.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

The best protection for any endangered species, particularly those from limited or specialized habitats is to be commercialized.

Well, that's a broad over-generalization. It may work for some endangered species. Maybe this particular orchid?

Not all endangered species lend themselves to commercialization. There are many endangered species that are unlikely to be commercialized because they are insufficiently charismatic (pretty, cute, etc.). Others are just too difficult to keep, don't reproduce in captivity, or can't be commercialized for other reasons. An orchid or other plant that is unattractive and difficult to maintain is unlikely to ever be commercialized but could be ecologically important.

Commercialization has threatened or endangered some species. Examples include several species of rhinoceros, tigers, whales, and certain over-collected European mushrooms.

While habitat preservation is not a cure-all for preserving all species, it is certainly the best option for some species. Including those that are not yet known to science, which apparently included Telipogon diabolicus until very recently.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by jcec1

I agree, that's what they did with the Wollemi pine, a prehistoric relic found in a valley in Australia, after years of propagation, now found in garden centres everywhere in the UK.

A good example is to compare the current status of two very similar parrots that suffered essentially the same fate but about 100 years apart, Spix's Macaw and the Blue Throat Macaw. Their specialized habitats were converted/are being converted to agricultural uses. In the case of the Spix's this occurred in the 19th century before the captive raising of parrots for the commercial trade occurred. Spix's are considered extirpated with a captive population somewhere around 100 individuals. Blue Throats have an estimated wild population of around 150 individuals, and their future is bleak. However the captive population numbers in the thousands and is secure. Don't get me started on the fish species which continue to exist solely because of captive populations. If indeed this plant is as restricted in habitat as it now appears, the powers that be in Colombia need to authorize the collection and raising of some seed pods of this plant and spread them around.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Well, that's a broad over-generalization. It may work for some endangered species. Maybe this particular orchid?

Not all endangered species lend themselves to commercialization. There are many endangered species that are unlikely to be commercialized because they are insufficiently charismatic (pretty, cute, etc.). Others are just too difficult to keep, don't reproduce in captivity, or can't be commercialized for other reasons. An orchid or other plant that is unattractive and difficult to maintain is unlikely to ever be commercialized but could be ecologically important.

Commercialization has threatened or endangered some species. Examples include several species of rhinoceros, tigers, whales, and certain over-collected European mushrooms.

While habitat preservation is not a cure-all for preserving all species, it is certainly the best option for some species. Including those that are not yet known to science, which apparently included Telipogon diabolicus until very recently.

You make several valid points, the most important being that preservation of the actual habitat is of paramount importance. But to address your specific examples of animals harmed by their commercialization, tigers are never going to be extinct because they are relatively easy to breed and have entered aspects of the commercial market where they're more valuable alive than dead. They will be eventually extirpated from all but the most protected parts of their range, but as long as there are people who want tigers there will be tigers. The same applies to the Asian elephant. The disposition of the African elephant is problematic in this regard. However commercialization will absolutely be one of the last refuges of tigers and Asian elephants.

[theanalyst]

I think we also need to remember that it is still possible that more exist and just haven't been discovered yet.