The Giant Sea Fan of Niue - Annella mollis

The Giant Sea Fan or Annella mollis is a soft coral that found throughout Niue’s picturesque coral reef. To tribute this species, Niue Post collaborated with WWF organization released a set of four stamps, one miniature sheet, and two of official First Day Cover on September 05, 2012.

The giant sea fan is a soft coral (Octocorallia) and belongs to the class of flower animals (Anthozoa). Its fans measure up to two metres and are always placed transverse to the sea current, making it easier for it to fish its food (small plankton) out of the water. Most soft corals have no true skeleton and so their bodies are flexible. Some soft corals have spikes very similar to rose thorns which may help to protect against predators.

The first of local  FDC have attached set of four single stamps and have background image of this species on the left cover. Also marked logo of WWF and has special post marks a picture of a diver exploring Niue’s waters. This unique datestamp reflecting the large number of tourists who experience Niue’s breathtaking diving environment.

Stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium)

 

Slovenia Post have issued the local WWF first day cover  along with the launched the stamp series of  Stone crayfish (Austropotamobious torrentium) on September 23, 2011.   The First Day Cover has image of this species on the left-bottom side . The issued of  four  postage stamps has placed on the top rows of FDC and  cancelled with  postmark of WWF logo.

The stone crayfish is a member of the order Decapoda, or ten-legged crustaceans. Three species of crayfish live in fresh water in Slovenia: the noble crayfish, the stone crayfish and white-clawed crayfish.

 

The stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) is smaller than the noble crayfish. It grows up to 10 cm and lives primarily in small streams and also at higher elevations. It lives in streams that have mainly rocky beds, where it hides beneath the rocks. Its carapace is usually brown, and the underside of the claws is lighter and never red as are those of the noble crayfish. Its range extends throughout central and southern Europe.

In Slovenia it is widespread mainly in the Sava and Drava watersheds, and is less present in the Primorska and Pomurje regions. Due to its small size it was never very interesting economically and was never bred or used as a food source.  

Due to the regulation of watercourses and water pollution, all of these crayfish species are highly threatened and therefore also protected. Natura 2000 protection areas have been established in order to protect the stone crayfish.

Fiji’s Tuna Today and for the Future

 

Fiji Post have collaborated with WWF organization issued the stamp set feature Fiji’s tuna, in related with the concern topic of Fiji government regarding to their population for today and the future, on April 07, 2004. The species of tuna are depicted are skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna,  and albacore. The issues are presented in one miniature sheet consist of 4  single stamps and local first day cover that have background image of tuna fishes in the sea with logo of WWF and motto “ Fiji’s Tuna Today and for the Future” as reminder for every one to care this species.

Iceland – 50th Anniversary of WWF Organization

In the year 2011,  World Wide Fund for Nature have  celebrated the 50th anniversary. Iceland Post commemorated this  anniversary by issued the special stamp features endangered birds. The officially FDC also issued together with stamp. On the FDC have marked logo of WWF and noticed the 50th anniversary. A comprehensive survey of endangered birds was first issued in the year 2000 listing 32 bird species which account for 42% of all Icelandic breeding birds. Not all these species are in immediate danger of extinction.

Butterflies of Ireland - 2005

Ireland Post  has issued the local FDC  together the stamp set featuring the species of butterflies , Small Copper / Lycaena phlaeas, Green Hairstreak / Callophrys rubi , Pearl-bordered Fritillary / Boloria euphrosyne , and Painted Lady on May 24, 2005. The issue stamps have designed by Ian Loe Artwork, consist of 4 single postage stamps and one souvenir sheet. Maxi cards also issued  and depicted each species in more detail.

Cay Van ( Owston's Banded Civets )- Vietnam 2005

Vietnam Post together with WWF organization issued  stamp set features the rare species, Owston’s palm civet or Chrotogale owstoni on  May 2, 2005. The issue presented in 4 postage stamps and one souvenir sheet . Along with this issuance,  Vietnam Post also released 2 (two) local FDC which depicted the species on the left-side  and a special cancellation mark.

Orchid flower of Suriname–Special Issued 1986.

This stamp series are special issue by Suriname Post and WWF organization  on 19 February 1998. The Local FDC issued by Suriname Post on the same date. The species depicted on stamps are epidendrum ciliare, epidendrum vespa, epidendrum anceps, cyenoches chlorochilon, meanwhile the species of epidendrum ciliare drawn  on  the left side of fdc. A special post mark have shape of orchid flower.

Rare fauna II–Jersey 2004

Jersey Post collaborated with WWF organization  issued the second series of  the rare fauna ( threatened species) on July 27, 2004.The depicted species are Wall Lizard / Podarcis muralis , Ant Lion / Eurolean nostras , Field Cricket / Gryllus campestris, and Dartford Warbler / Sylvia undata. Along with the issue stamp,  Jersey Post released also the local FDC and maxi cards. The local FDC  have marked  image of Dartford Warbler on the left side and a special post mark shown Dartford Warbler also. Meanwhile maxi card  presented more detail of each species and each card have attached stamp of the related species.

Marlin Fishes - Azores (Portugal)

Azores (Portugal) Post issued the local FDC  that features  the marlin species, Atlantic Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) and White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) on stamps meanwhile the image of Atlantic Blue Marlin drawn in the left side of FDC. The issue of FDC has a special post mark and dated on June 28, 2004. Both species are registered in the Seafood Red List of Greenpeace International in year 2010.

Red Squirrel - Slovenia 2007

 

On March 23, 2007,  Slovenia Post  issued the WWF stamp series depicted the Red Squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ) . The local FDC has been released  on the same date. Image of species has shown on  left side of the FDC and cancelled with a special  post mark. Also  four maxi cards that shown more detail of the species issued together.

BLUE CORAL - TUVALU 1992

On September 01, 1992, Tuvalu Post released the local FDC which have attached with the WWF stamp series of Blue Coral.  Image of Blue Coral  shown in the left side and has a post mark of logo WWF.

Blue coral or Heliopora coerulea is a coral and as  the only species in the family Helioporidae and the only Octocoral known to produce a massive skeleton that formed of aragonite. Individual polyps live in tubes within the skeleton and are connected by a thin layer of tissue over the outside of the skeleton.

Peregrine Falcon – Alderney 2000

Alderney / Guernsey post   released the local FDC  together with the issue stamp of  WWF series  that depicts  Peregrine Falcon ,   bird of prey on February 4, 2000. Image of species  have drawn on the left corner of  the local FDC and have  a special post mark for cancellation. Also maxi cards  have issued on the same date.

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. This species have distinctive appearances  large, crow-sized falcon and   blue-grey back, barred white underparts, black head and "moustache".

Chinese White Dolphin – Hong Kong 1999

Hong Kong Post  has issued the local FDC depicted the Chinese White Dolphin on November 14, 1999. This issue along with the stamp that are composed of 4 nominal face value. The local FDC has logo of WWF and image of the species also has a ship-shaped  post mark for cancellation.

There are three main areas of China where the Chinese White Dolphin lives. the Soko Islands, Peng Chau, and Lantau. They tend to live in the warmer bodies of water but they do also live in some cooler areas.  More of a pinkish color are the ones that live in the cooler areas.

Blacktip Reef Sharks - Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Cocos (Keeling) Islands released the WWF stamps  that feature the species Blacktip Reef sharks or Carcharhinus melanopterus  on June 21 , 2003.  The issue presented in 4 single stamps and one local FDC which has big image of species and a special shaped of cancellation post mark.

The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a species of requiem shark, family Carcharhinidae, and easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins. Among the most abundant sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, this species prefers shallow, inshore waters, and its exposed first dorsal fin is a common sight in the region.

Sea Life – Alderney 1993

The beautiful first day cover of Alderney  has sealed with the  WWF stamps issued  on November 2, 1993. The local FDC has post mark of WWF logo. The issue stamps are depicts 4 (four) species of sea life ,  Spiny Lobster (Palinurus elephas ), Plumose Anemone (Metridium senile), Seven-Armed Starfish (Lucida ciliaris), and Green Urchin ( Psammechinus milliaris).

Plumose Anemone, sea anemones found mostly in the cooler waters of the northern Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They are characterized by their numerous threadlike tentacles extending from atop a smooth cylindrical column, and can vary from a few centimeters in height up to one meter or more. In larger specimens, the oral disk becomes densely curved and frilly.

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) - Penhryn 2003

Penrhyn  is the most remote and largest atoll of the 15 Cook Islands in the south Pacific Ocean. Penrhyn Atoll has two villages, the main village of Omoka, and  the village of Te Tautua. On 24 February 2003, the Penrhyn Post issued the first day cover along with the WWF stamps feature Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola). The issue stamps consist of 4 postage stamps.The Local FDC has sealed with all of  4 WWF stamps and  standard post marks.