Endangered species are rare or threatened plants or animals that are rapidly vanishing and becoming extinct. This means they are plants and animals that now exist in only small numbers and soon may be gone forever unless whatever is causing this to occur changes. Maybe as humans, we need to cherish these plants and animals as much as we cherish our material possessions, as after all these may be the most valuable treasures for all of mankind.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (“IUCN”) there are 6 categories of endangered animals:
• Extinct meaning no living member of a particular species on earth.
• Critically endangered which is the highest risk category for wild species and means these animals are facing high risk of extinction.
• Endangered animals are those that are close to becoming critically endangered.
• Vulnerable animals have high risk of extinction.
• Near threatened animals are ones that are believed to be endangered and close to extinction in the future, and
• Least concerned animals are species that have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category.
The main reason animals are becoming extinct is due to direct human causes and environmental issues. Some of these include:
• Habitat deprivation
• Human use
• Entertainment purposes
• Environmental causes such as climate change, rising sea levels and global warming
• Exotic organisms
• Pollution
• Over fishing and poaching
Habitat Deprivation
Habitat loss is one of the main reasons why some species of animals are considered endangered. For example, the population of Africa doubles every twenty-four years. This means forests are destroyed to create space for people, to live and to grow crops, with the wood fro...
... middle of paper ...
...ustralias-most-endangered-species>.
Dugong, n.d. World Wildlife, accessed 17 March 2014, .
Unsustainable and illegal wildlife trade, n.d. World Wildlife, accessed 17 March 2014, .
Students, n.d. Tigers, Edu, accessed 17 March 2014, .
Bove, J n.d. Why does it Matter if Species go Extinct?, About.Com, accessed 18 March 2014, .
Endangered Species, n.d. N.d., accessed 18 March 2014, .
Byrd, D 2011 Yellowstone benefitting from return of wolves, EarthSky, accessed 18 March 2014, .
Many animals depend on different environments such as lakes, oceans or the forest in order to survive. However due to human intervention such as pollution of the ocean, or heavy deforestation, many animals are at the risk of extinction. One such example is known as the Gundlach Hawk which due to deforestation is currently on the endangered species list. Due to it being on the list, conservation attempts are being made in order to keep the animal alive and save it from extinction.
However, the population of the California condors decreased tremendously during the late 1970s, with only 22 reported alive worldwide in the year 1982-1983 and only nine in the wild by 1985. It was the lowest recorded number of this creature (Church, 2006). And the habitats also shrunk from several locations to only California area. The Condor was then added to the endangered species list of the United States. Moreover, Condor comes under the category of critically endangered (CR) species which is the most severe category under conservation status subjected to species at the highest risk of extinction. Since then various organizations and societies are working on conserving this creature and bringing it back to wildlife.(USFWS, N.D.)
Familiarize yourself with the ESA (Endangered Species Act). Find two credible sources that reflect on the success of the ESA in the US compared to efforts by the European Union. Compare those efforts and provide one example of species successfully protected in the US and one in the European Union. 1-2 pages Arial, 12 point, double spaced. Must be APA format, and include a APA title page and reference page. Include at least on in-text citiation from each source in APA format.
Scientists calculate that without humans about one to five species would die a year, which is considered the background rate of extinction. But in our current society human activities are destroying many of the chances these animals need to survive. We as a planet are killing species at a rate 1,000 to 10,000 times more than the expected rate. Unlike previous extinctions 99% of the species, listed on the endangered species list, established by the endangered species act, became threatened due to human activities, such as the introduction of invasive species, habitat destruction, and global warming (The Extinction Crisis).
Unfortunately, besides the animal being such a stately and scientifically contributing creature, it has been endangered by various factors.
An endangered species is a species of organisms that is likely to become extinct due to natural or man-made changes in the environment. The animal which is most popular for its dangerously small numbers is the panda, which has become the poster child for endangered species. Unfortunately, there are only about a 1,000 pandas left in the wild. However, more than 300 pandas live in zoos and breeding centers throughout the world.
Humans are destructive. Not a lot of us think about how what we do affects the world around us. We almost act like we are the only ones on this planet. We go around polluting and destroying our world with no regard for our actions. The things that live out in the wild are paying the price for it. Every day that passes there is another animal or plant that is placed on an endangered list. This is happening at an alarming rate. Because of man’s desire to expand and conquer their surroundings, there are animals and plants that are on the brink of extinction that will not be around for our kids and future generations to enjoy if something is not done about it now. This problem has been going on for hundreds of years. There are animals and plants that can only been seen in paintings or early photography. It is because of our early ancestors that we have this problem today and we have to do more to prevent more animals and plants from disappearing forever.
In the year 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was instituted in order to bring attention to the issue of species that are in danger of extinction as well as to provide conservation of species that are endangered or threatened. Currently, there are around 2,245 species that the Endangered Species Act lists as either endangered or threatened throughout the world, many of which are found in the United States ecosystems and a handful that are only found in foreign ecosystems (Ehrlich 12). Because of the considerable number of endangered species, people should be aware of endangered species and help to protect these creatures society, as their unnatural extinction due to our actions and neglect will affect ecosystems and the environment (“Why
By trading continuously since so many years the existence of these animals is lowering down and therefore now these species come under the category of endangered species which further now has resulted
will rise out of the state of being endangered. Although it may seem to be a
Certain animals need more protection than others because they don’t particularly need to be on the list. Animals like the Bangle Tiger or the Siamang are the most threatened besides others because they are loved for their skins or they are wanted as pets. They go through the pet trade there whole life because they are so rare and beautiful. Just because the animals are a prize kill or to have doesn’t mean people should harm or endanger them.
Many of the issues of biodiversity loss can be traced back to human interaction to the environment. One of the issues is alteration and loss of habitats. A lot of this issue is based on the destruction of habitats and for the land to be used for human consumption. The land is either used up for agricultural use or for neighborhoods. Destroying habitats and building them for our own use can have a positive impact on our way of living but a negative impact on the environment. We would gain land for building land for crops and communities to be built. The habitat for the animals would be destroyed and the species local to the land would either relocate or die. There are restrictions to deforesting land and there are organizations to help protect the land.
Animals lose their homes to deforestation, wildfires and pollution. The environment may also affect animals. Drought affects the animals water supply and plants. People cut down trees for wood, and most people don't know that are cutting down an animal's home. Wildfires also cause the loss of habitat for animals. Poaching and smuggling are main causes of an animal becoming endangered. Pollution is very negative for an animal and its habitat. Animals are curious and try to eat the objects that are causing pollution. Also, some rivers and natural resources are becoming polluted and can make an animal have to move to a new home. Pollution harms valuable resources that animals need. Global warming melts ice caps. Polar Bears and other animals need the ice, because the ice is the animals home. The Earth is gradually getting warmer. Global warming affects more than just animals, it is also affecting humans as well. Many endangered animals are killed for their fur. Fur is used for clothes and money. People buy fur because the animals are rare and fur is used for clothing, trade, rugs, etc. Humans illegally kill and trade endangered animals. The animals are traded because they are rare and the animals have economic va...
In our world today we have approximately 26,021 endangered species. Endangered species are organisms that may possible become extinct. The term 'endangered species' refers to all species that fits this description. However some conservation biologists and scientists normally use the term ‘endangered species’ to refer to species that are put on the IUCN(International Union for Conservation of Nature)Red List. Many factors can be looked at when considering the conservation status of a species. Factors such as human threats or environmental threats can cause a species to become endangered.
In the world today there are about five thousand endangered species. Around one specie dies out every year. Some animals become endangered because people are killing them for their horns, as in the case of the Black Rhino of Africa. Others become extinct because pesticides are put on the food we eat, causing the animals that eat the insects off the plant to become contaminated, which causes their predators to become contaminated, which often affects the shell of that organism?s egg. Here is a list of the endangered species, 91 endangered birds, 76 endangered mammals, 36 endangered reptiles, 21 endangered amphibians, 115 endangered fish, 70 endangered clams, 35 endangered snails, 44 endangered insects, 12 endangered arachnids, 21 endangered crustaceans, 594 endangered flowering plants.