We live in a sad state of affairs these days. So many of the planet’s most amazing species have been lost to time and extinction, while the continued existence of many more still hangs in the balance. On that note, it’s important for us to understand that the natural world is a finely balanced ecosystem where every living being plays an essential role.
Unfortunately, this delicate equilibrium has been upset on every shore by the proliferation of the human race. The natural world is facing a host of unprecedented threats, and nowhere is this more evident than in the rising number of endangered species across the globe. From the majestic African elephant to the tiny Rusty-Patched Bumblebee, many of Earth’s animals are struggling for survival thanks to things like climate change, habitat destruction, poaching, and other factors.
In this article, we will endeavor to understand the struggles these animals are facing, explore a handful of the species that at risk, and the consequences their decline is having on world ecosystems. So if you’re an animal lover or if you’re concerned about the future of our planet, read on.
The Meaning of Endangered
What does it mean to be an endangered species? If you were to ask the Malayan Tiger this question, they would likely express a sense of loneliness. With only about 80-120 of its species currently in existence, this beautiful but rapidly-disappearing apex predator fits the bill for “endangered” perfectly. An endangered species is defined as one that is at risk of extinction across all or a significant portion of its natural range.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), different species are categorized into different threat levels, with “endangered” being one of the most severe. Using the IUCN metrics, a species is classified as endangered when its populations have declined by at least 50–70%, or when their habitat is so fragmented or diminished that their long-term survival is uncertain. In these cases, drastic measures must be taken in order to prevent the species from disappearing entirely.
In addition to the term “endangered,” the IUCN also uses categories like “vulnerable” and “critically endangered” to describe species at different stages of risk. Critically endangered species are teetering on the brink of extinction, while vulnerable species are in the early stages of population decline. These classifications provide valuable insights into the severity of the problem and the urgency with which we need to act.
Causes of Endangerment
These days, animals can become endangered thanks to a number of causes. The long and short of it, however, is that human activity is the single most significant driver. We have gathered some of the key factors contributing to the decline of land-dwelling animals below, and you will likely recognize one or two of them.
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
The human race has settled nearly every livable space on this Earth and we’ve had to “break a few eggs” in order to do so. Cities, farms, towns, mines, villages, and human infrastructure of every kind requires us to utilize or tear down bits of the natural world, so it’s no surprise that habitat destruction is the leading cause of species endangerment.
Humans commit environmental crimes like deforestation everyday in our pursuit of lumber, paper goods, grazing land, and a thousand wood-based products. The result are barren swaths of former forests and jungles that have driven animals out of their homes and away from their food sources. It isn’t just forests either. Human development has cleared vast expanses of grasslands and wetlands as well, all in the name of progress. Such destruction doesn’t just eliminate habitats, it fragments those that remain.
Habitat fragmentation isolates animal populations, making it harder for them to find mates and reproduce. The result is inbreeding among small, isolated animal populations, which weakens the genetic line of local species, and makes it harder for future generations to thrive.
Climate Change
Climate change is the biggest issue here, as it affects animals and humans in equal measure. It may not be the main reason some creatures are endangered, but it certainly has a huge effect on the lives of land animals the world over. Climate change has been known to cause rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and changes in precipitation, that alter the habitats of terrestrial and marine species. These changes can affect whole swaths of territory, flooding some, parching others, and forcing food sources to dwindle or die on the vine.
Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade
The illegal hunting, capturing, and killing of wild animals remains a major threat to many endangered species. The rarer an animal becomes, the more sought after it becomes, and the more likely that poachers will try and hunt it down for its meat, skin, bones, or other body parts. These parts are then sold on the black market in an illegal wildlife trade that represents a multibillion-dollar industry. Animals like elephants and rhinos are hunted for their ivory or horns, respectively, and both are highly valuable on this black market.
Species like tigers and leopards are similar victims of poaching, as their skins and body parts are used for luxury goods or traditional medicines. These big cats are essential parts of their ecosystems, so poaching them illegally can have catastrophic effects on the biodiversity, balance, and overall health of their habitats.
Invasive Species
The introduction of invasive species into an ecosystem can have a devastating effect on the indigenous animals that live there. There have been many instances when this has happened and it led to the absolute extinction of entire native species. The terrestrial Dodo bird, for example, or reptiles such as the now-extinct Pinta Island Tortoise.
The problem with Invasive species is that they often compete with native animals for food and resources, if not preying on them directly. Discarded boa constrictors and pythons in the Florida Everglades are another example of this unfortunate phenomenon, as those snakes have begun outproducing, outeating, and outmaneuvering many native swamp species.
Pollution
Pesticides, plastics, and many other forms of pollution pose a serious threat to wild animals. Land, sea, and sky, every creature on this planet is affected by the spread of microplastics, contaminated water, and toxic chemical dumping. Air pollution is also a problem, as it can change air quality so much that native vegetation, water sources, and food sources are seriously affected. Acid rain, though not something we hear about as much these days, is caused by industrial emissions. This chemical deluge can destroy whole ecosystems worth of plants, while wounding or poisoning countless animals.
Notable Endangered Species on Land
The number of endangered species on the planet are too numerous to count, but many of the ones mentioned below have become enduring symbols of the fight to protect and conserve our planet’s dwindling wildlife.
The African Elephant
The African elephant still holds the title of the world’s largest land animal. Despite this position near the top, these amazing, intelligent creatures remain critically endangered due a lethal combination of ivory poaching and habitat loss. International bans on the ivory trade have slowed things slightly, but sadly, elephants continue to be killed for their tusks. Habitat loss has further reduced these numbers, unfortunately. African elephants are a keystone species in their habitats, those of them that remain anyway. In any case, this means that their presence is vital to the health of their ecosystem.
The Amur Leopard
The Amur leopard is native to the Russian Far East and northeastern China, but it’s also one of the rarest big cats in the world. Fewer than 100 of these cats are left in the wild, and though conservation efforts have been underway for some time, these animals are disappearing faster than we can save them. The Amur leopard is a critically endangered species faces a devastating combination of habitat loss, poaching, and prey depletion; so things aren’t looking good.
The Mountain Gorilla
Mountain gorillas live in the highland forests of central Africa, but have been pushed to the brink of extinction due to a number of factors. These amazing apes face habitat loss, poaching, and disease, which doesn’t exactly help when they are already living in small, isolated populations, that leave them highly vulnerable to threats. Fortunately, recent conservation efforts, including anti-poaching patrols and the creation of protected areas, have seen a a slight increase in their relative numbers. And so, hope remains.
The Pangolin
The pangolin is widely considered to be the most trafficked mammal in the world. These small, unusual creatures are hunted for their scales, which are used in traditional medicines, but they are also poached for their meat, which some consider a delicacy. Habitat destruction has also contributed to the fact that all eight species of the pangolin are now considered to be critically endangered.
The Javan Rhino
While every single rhinoceros on the Earth is considered to be endangered, the extremely rare Javan rhinoceros is is one of the most endangered mammals on the planet. Only 75 of these animals are left in the wild, all of whom currently reside in a single Indonesian national park. Habitat loss is the key driver for their current predicament, but the fact that only a small population exists means they are highly vulnerable to disease and/or natural disasters due to climate change.
The Importance of Biodiversity
The loss of endangered species is a tragedy, though it’s not just sad for the animals. These animals almost always represent necessary pieces of their respective ecosystems. By now, we understand that every species plays a role in maintaining the balance of its environment, whether as a predator, prey, pollinator, or seed disperser. Thus, the far-reaching consequences of their slow extinction will undoubtedly have long-lasting effects on our global ecosystem and human society as a whole.
Biodiversity is as important to humans as it is to animals. Many of the foods we eat, the medicines we use, and the materials we rely on come directly from nature. Indeed, we have used so many of these things that we’ve driven countless species out of their homes. We may have even inadvertently driven some to extinction without even realizing. Who knows if our remaining endangered plants and animals may hold the key to future medical breakthroughs or agricultural innovations. The point is, if we don’t protect our world’s biodiversity, we may go the same way.
Conservation Efforts and What Can Be Done
We’ve been very doom and gloom about this whole situation, but despite all the darkness surrounding these poor endangered animals, there is hope. Conservation organizations, governments, and local communities around the world have been working tirelessly to protect endangered species and their habitats. Below are some of the most effective strategies being used:
Protected Areas and National Parks
Teddy Roosevelt was a renowned naturalist in his time, among other things…but one of his greatest contributions to conservation was an initiative that involved the creation of a national park system in the United States. National parks, protected areas, and wildlife reserves are some of the most successful conservation strategies because they provide safe habitats for endangered or threatened species. Animals that live in these places are largely protected from poaching and habitat destruction.
Anti-Poaching Laws and Enforcement
Many countries and world governments have already begun to enforce stricter laws and protection initiatives that have become crucial in the fight against poaching. In some cases, harsher penalties have been implemented for illegal hunting. Others have ramped things up by increasing patrols in and around protected areas.
Habitat Restoration
Efforts to restore degraded habitats have been attempted by volunteers, governments and conservation agencies for several decades now. Reforestation projects, wetland restoration, and the removal of invasive species are just a few examples of habitat restoration initiatives. These initiatives can be used to help bring species back from the brink of extinction.
True Investigator Says…
For many endangered species, the daily struggle for survival is compounded by the fact that they are constantly at risk for being wiped off the face of the Earth by human activity. It’s tragic that human beings have brought countless species to the brink of extinction, but the good news is that there is still time to reverse course. Through concerted conservation efforts, stricter protections, and a commitment to preserving the natural world, we are beginning to make a difference in the lives of endangered species. With any luck, we’ll be able to stave off our mutually-assured destruction for many centuries to come.
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