After several years of failure, new efforts are being made to breed lynx in captivity for possible re-introduction. Many states within the US have lost much of their wetlands over the last 200 years. This group is threatened by invasive species, herbicide damage, over-collection, and draining of its bog habitats. Historically, the Alabama canebrake pitcher-plant was known from 28 sites in these same three counties. Four of the 12 remaining populations have up to 300 plants, while the rest have no more than 50.
Work is underway to try to restore the degraded habitats to their natural state.
This is being done through long-term cooperation between a number of private and state agencies and individuals, including the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Nature Conservancy, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Alabama Heritage Program. Criticially Endangered Mandrinette, a beautiful red-flowered shrub, is found only on the steep slopes of two mountains on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The species, known from a population of about 20 adults in a small area, is not regenerating, probably due to competition from introduced species. The second population of 26 plants was recently found at the top of Morne Brabant Mountain in an area equally degraded by invasive species. Fortunately, this species grows well from cuttings and is being artificially propagated.