According to the Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 28,000 species around the world are threatened with extinction.
That translates to 27% of all assessed species considered to be under threat. Some of the many reasons why these species may be at risk are: habitat loss, poaching, loss of genetic variation and invasive species.
Endangered Species Around The World
Here is an overview of just a few of the beautiful species who could go extinct if we don’t raise awareness.
Why these species are threatened with extinction
Did you know that one of the main causes why these species are threatened with extinction is habitat loss?
Human activities such as agriculture and industrial development contribute a lot to this. Industries like construction, lumber, petroleum, livestock and plant agriculture are the most harmful ones.
When developing an industry, companies are ‘clearing’ pieces of land like the Amazon Rainforest of South America or The Atlantic forest. By doing that, they are eliminating all vegetation which is the home of hundreds of animal species.
Poaching is another reason why these beautiful species are at risk. Millions of animals of thousands of species worldwide are captured or killed to be sold locally, or traded worldwide as exotic pets. On top of that, these animals and their body parts are also sold as food, decor, jewellery or traditional medicine.
Poaching is a growing threat, especially to elephants, rhinos, as well as to smaller animals like lizards and monkeys.
Extinction can also happen naturally
Don’t forget, extinction can happen naturally too, without the involvement of humans. Just think of dinosaurs. Because of the impact of an asteroid, debris was forced into the atmosphere, which reduced the temperature and the amount of light hitting the Earth. Dinosaurs were unable to adapt to the quick climate change and the cold temperatures so they became endangered, then extinct.
How we can help endangered species
However, that doesn’t mean that we should watch how these species are becoming more and more endangered and then are slowly disappearing. We can make a massive change if we raise awareness and educate, not only others, but ourselves as well.
There are so many things we can do to save these animals, such as:
- Researching the origin of the products we buy
- Growing native plants
- Buying from local small businesses
- Walking instead of driving to our destination.
Any of these small steps can make a big difference.
About the author:
Hazel Harred is working for Wire Fence on a campaign where they are helping animals and charities in need. They want to give a helping hand to those in need, so they are fundraising for a different charity/animal each month. They would also like to raise awareness about endangered species with their newest graphic.
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Like this post? Take a look at National Animals from around the World
Want to learn more about species extinction?
Discover more about species extinction here…
- The serious business of species extinction
- Discover the Gardens of Extinction
- Calculating extinction; finding ways to get children thinking
Learn about Racing Extinction documentary…
To save specie from extinction
(1) Grow more plant
(2) industry should be away from forrest . donot destroyed forrest to make there industry. do mot cut old and new tree for agriculture purpuse.
(3 Do not uses pastasides or DDT for killing of harmfull insects, if uses then on a control rate so which do not made problem for wild birds and amimals.
(4) For ill animals and birds do not use side effect injection ie after thee death which effect other species. the ill animals when died then it should be burried in ground .
(5) Ban all type of hunting.
(6) In schools subject a course about wildlife should be made compulsory,so the people gain knowledge about wildlufe law.
(7) do not polute air and water .
(8) reduce all type of harmfull radiation emitting from mobile towers etc.
Thank you for such important and relevant suggestions! Couldn’t agree more!
Read my book Last Two in the Wild @kindlestore
Thank you for the recommendation.
Stay Wild, friends