The Animals
The majority of the animals depicted in Gorilla Warfare have unfortunately been adversely affected by humans. Here you can read about the amazing species at risk because of our actions, see all of our hand illustrated card art, and see how we at Untamed Cardworks are doing our bit.
Armadillos
Despite their tough appearance, there are currently two armadillo species listed as Vulnerable by IUCN. Their primary issues are poaching for meat, their shells and the pet trade, and road collisions, with an estimated 100,000 plus armadillos killed annually on American roads alone.
Army Ants
These little guys may be IUCN Least Concern, but they still face challenges imposed upon them by people, including widespread habitat loss and pesticide use. They also feel the effects of climate change, with shifting temperature and weather patterns disrupting their colonies and feeding behaviours.
Bombardier Beetles
Yes, they're real. They live up to their name, too, by releasing rapid bursts of scalding-hot caustic fluid from their rear ends. There are more than 500 species of bombardier beetle, and they face the same threats as most beetles: over-collection as curiosities or for educational purposes, and pesticide use.
Camels
While the camel depicted in the game is a dromedary camel (one hump), the wild or Bactrian camel, with its two distinctive humps, is critically endangered. The survival of the species is threatened by competition with livestock for food, overhunting, and crossbreeding with domesticated camels.
Pigeons
We may be used to seeing our town centres overrun with these guys, but there are currently at least twenty-five endangered and critically endangered pigeon species. In fact, as recently as the twentieth century, the passenger pigeon went extinct due to overhunting. Carrier pigeons were used extensively during both world wars to deliver messages, and had a success rate of more than 95%.
Sharks
Sharks vs people. A tale as old as time. But what people don't realise is that you are more likely to be killed by a cow or a falling coconut than a shark. The fact of the matter is that over 100 million sharks are killed by people every year, for a combination of revenge and food. Commercial bycatch is also common.
Chow Chow
Chow chows originated in China more than 8,000 years ago. They were bred for hunting and sled pulling, and were known in Chinese legend as dogs of war. One Chinese ruler was rumoured to own 5,000 chow chows.
Eels
When you think critically endangered species, species such as the giant panda, or white rhinoceros come to mind. What might not is our very own European eel, which has seen its numbers decimated by more than 90%, by a combination of hydroelectric dams on their migratory breeding rivers, and massive overfishing for food.
Crows
The humble crow may be a common sight in the UK, but crow species further afield have suffered different fates. Notably, the Hawaiian crow is now extinct in the wild, with the species being preserved by only a handful of individuals in captivity. The corvid (crow) family is well renowned for being highly intelligent and communicative.
Eagles
The bald eagle, American icon and national bird of the United States, was once nearly driven to extinction in the US. Happily, its numbers have recovered somewhat, but this is not true for dozens of other eagle species around the world, with the enormous Philippine eagle numbering only in the hundreds.
Billfish
These iconic gamefish, synonymous with speed and brutal power, are being ruthlessly overfished, often coming as bycatch for other, ever rarer species such as tuna. The sailfish is the fastest fish on Earth, and can reach speeds of up to 55kmph. The term "billfish" refers to swordfish and marlin.
Gorillas
Both the Eastern and Western gorilla are listed as IUCN Critically Endangered. They have lost vast swathes of their natural habitat, and are frequently killed for their meat and pelts, or are maimed in traps set for other species such as wild pigs. There are now fewer than 3,000 Eastern gorillas left, and the number is still declining.
Harriers
In England in 2016, only four breeding pairs of hen harriers were recorded. This number has since grown to more than 50 breeding pairs, however, the British harrier scene is a bleak one. Many hen harriers are killed illegally on grouse moors, or have lost habitat due to urbanisation. Worldwide, numbers of many species of harrier are declining.
Sniffer Dogs
All over the world, law enforcement agencies utilise the super nose of man's best friend. Sniffer dogs are used to search out narcotics, unexploded bombs and mines, and casualties in dangerous areas. Dogs have even been deployed to warzones to provide terrestrial capability to partner technological tools like drones.
Komodo Dragon
The world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon is endemic to four islands in Indonesia. This island lifestyle, however, leaves it vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels. This, and its limited range and appeal as a trophy means that this enormous reptile is listed as IUCN Endangered.
Portuguese Man-o-War
A beautiful deathtrap, the Portuguese Man-o-War is not, in fact, a jellyfish, but a complex system of different organisms (zooids) called a siphonophore. While not IUCN listed, they can still feel the effects of human interaction, such as marine pollution, and changing ocean temperatures.
Seals
One of the most hunted groups by native people, seals have been culled in vast numbers for their meat, waterproof skins and blubber, which can be used for fuel, lubricant, food, treating leather, and even cosmetics. There are currently six species of seal and sea lion that are IUCN listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered.
Panthers
Not in fact a species in its own right, Panther is a term reserved for jaguars and leopards with a genetic mutation called melanism, which gives them a jet black coat. jaguars and leopards are both decreasing in numbers, with their main threats being habitat loss, and human encroachment into their territories.
Parrots
Nearly 400 species of parrot inhabit our planet, and approximately 40 of them are IUCN Endangered or Critically Endangered. Most notably, star of the Disney movie Rio, the Spix's macaw, now extinct in the wild, and the heaviest, the kākāpō, a flightless and somewhat comical parrot endemic to New Zealand, and now confined only to a handful of offshore islands in a bid to preserve the species.
Tortoises
There are currently 17 IUCN Critically Endangered tortoise species worldwide, and a further 26 classified as Endangered. The Pinta Island tortoise, a subspecies of the Galápagos giant tortoise, became extinct in 2012, when Lonesome George, the last of his species, died in captivity. Eight of the remaining subspecies are Endangered or Critically Endangered.
Ducks
While we may be most familiar with the humble mallard, there are more than 120 species of duck, with several being seriously threatened, including the Madagascar pochard, West Indian whistling duck, and Philippine duck. The main threats to duck species include avian influenza (bird flu), invasive predators, and watercourse pollution.
Spiders
Often landed with a terrible reputation, spiders are one of the most diverse families on earth, with nearly 50,000 known species, and potentially the same again yet to be discovered. There are several IUCN Critically Endangered species such as the peacock tarantula, and the unfortunately named horrid ground-weaver. Threats include harvesting for private collections, pesticides, and genetic bottlenecking.
Scorpions
Perhaps the most sinister invertebrate, scorpions exist on all continents except from Antarctica. Scorpions are commonly kept as pets, and some are taken in such numbers that they have become Critically Endangered, such as the Indian red scorpion, and the giant desert hairy scorpion. Climate change has driven scorpions north, to the extent that they have ended up thriving in the southern United Kingdom.
Groupers
Iconic sentinels of the reef, groupers play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems. However, their huge size, impressive appearance, and ferocious fight make them highly prized gamefish, to the point that the Atlantic goliath grouper, which can grow up to 8 feet long and 800 pounds in weight, is now Critically Endangered. Groupers are also renowned as an excellent eating fish, with up to 400,000 tonnes of fish being taken for human consumption every year.
Flies
Annoying? Yes. Important for maintaining our planet as we know it? Also yes. Flies often go overlooked when it comes to keystone species, but, without them, we would be licking the moss in our cellars to survive. There are a number of Critically Endangered flies, including several species of Mediterranean hoverfly in the genus Merodon. Flies are vital for pollination, and form the diets of millions of species around the world.
Moles
Moles are often forgotten when we think about conservation, as they spend their lives underground, leaving only a mound of earth as evidence of their existence. Moles are heavily persecuted because of the damage that they cause to subterranean pipes, cables and fences. While not true moles, Juliana's golden mole, the Iberian desman and Russian desman are all IUCN listed as Endangered.
Wild Pigs
Stereotypically pugnacious and aggressive, wild pigs have been a source of food for people for centuries. Island dwelling species are highly vulnerable to extinction, with several island natives, such as the Visayan warty pig, being listed as IUCN Critically Endangered. Small populations, paired with crossbreeding, competition from non-native species, overhunting and habitat loss have lead to severe decreases in the numbers of many wild pigs.
What comes next?
Our planet is an incredible place, full of amazing plants and animals. Since 1500AD, more than 900 vertebrate species have gone extinct, and tens of thousands of invertebrates have gone the same way in the last few centuries alone. Humans are inextricably linked to the decline in animal and plant populations, and so it should be our responsibility to prevent further losses.
Trojan Horse
Ok, this one isn't technically an animal, but we included all of the other card art, so we had to include this one too. However, the term Trojan Horse does apply in nature, referring to an organism deceiving another organism for its own personal gain. It is typically associated with parasitism, such as the cuckoo or the fantastically named zombie ant fungus.
How are we helping?
All of our materials are sustainably and responsibly sourced, and are fully UKCA and FSC certified. This means that when you pick up our distinctive stripy box, you can relax in the knowledge that our product has done no harm to our planet.
We are also saving ink and paper by not including an instruction leaflet in the box, further reducing our environmental footprint.
Our product comes with no plastic packaging and is fully biodegradable, so can be recycled (not that you will want to!)