​SAVE THE WUGS
Problems wugs face today
Wugs, while relatively secluded, are in danger from pollution. The trash piles Wugs are increasingly pulling nesting materials from can contain harmful bacteria and fungi that can damage newly formed wug eggs. These bacteria grow on the outside of the shells and when the wuglets eat these bacteria with their egg, the toxin produced kills the wuglet within a few days. A recent survey of wug nests near Palayam, India, found that 20% of the nests contained these sorts of bacteria and fungi along with an estimated 60 dead wuglets who died from ingesting them. This garbage is also causing the wug nests to become weaker to the harsh monsoon weather. The strips of plastic wugs tear from plastic bags to build their nests get slippery and don’t hold together as well as more natural fibers found in the local plant life. This causes wug nests to tear apart in the high winds, many times scattering young wuglets either killing them instantly, or smashing them against the terrain.
How you can help
Local and governmental funding is stretched in the region already, but several charity groups have stepped up to help. The Wug Hub, has started a campaign to open several new garbage centers in the region with protective wiring over the top of the piles to keep out the wugs while still providing a dumping area for the residents’ waste. The World Wildlife Fund, or WWF, has also started projects to help these birds by sending volunteers to Southern India to start cleaning up the trash piles and educate locals on proper disposal techniques that will minimize the effect of trash on the wugs. To donate to these groups, or to find more ways you can help, head over to www.hugsforwugs.net, wughub.wordpress.com, or www.worldwildlife.org.
