What are Endangered species,causes and solutions to save them

 Endangered species are those animals, birds and fish that are in immediate danger of  becoming extinct. Actually, When we say an animal is endangered, that doesn't really mean that the animal is in danger of being hurt or neglected, Instead, it is a reference to all animals of the same species which  are at the brink of dying out.

There may be many reasons like loss of habitat, Pollution, Natural disasters etc. that increases the risk of a particular species to become endangered. 

what are endangered species

Image Credit - https://www.thebetterindia.com/

In 2019, The IUCN Red List included 30,178 species that are threatened with extinction.

Here is a video of Ten rare Endangered Species soon to be extinct

Examples of endangered species

1).  Giant panda

Scientific name of giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca that means “black and white cat footed animal.” It is known as the bamboo bear, panda bear or in Chinese as Daxiongmao (large bear cat).

Habitat destruction is the main reason of Panda's extinction. The  panda is considered vulnerable of extinction by the IUCN. Due to the fact that pandas reproduce so infrequently, it is very difficult for their population to recover. (Animal Fact Guide)

Giant panda

2). Asiatic lion

Scientific name of Asiatic lion Panthera leo persica.
Asiatic Lions are found in Gir National Park (Gujarat).
It is listed under Endangered species list  because of its small population size and area of occupancy.

Asiatic lion

3). Sea turtles

Scientific name of sea turtles Chelonioidea. 

The most endangered species of Sea Turtles in the world are the Hawksbill Turtle and the Leatherback Turtle. 

sea turtle

4). Rhinos

Scientific name of Rhinos is Rhinocerotidae. 

The Javan Rhino is the most threatened with extinction. (WWE)

Rhinos

5). Tiger

scientific name of tiger is Panthera tigris. 

out of the  total nine tiger subspecies, three are already extinct, many are endangered. (Read - Tiger )

Tiger

picture source- https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/tiger

Causes of endangered animals

1). loss of  natural habitat

2). Environmental Pollution

3). Invasive species

4). Overpopulation

5). Hunting and poaching

6). Fishing 

7). Natural disasters

8). Genetics

9). Diseases 

1). loss of  natural habitat

The main reason for this danger is the loss of  natural habitat.
 So, now question arises what is habitat and what is its destruction

Habitat is the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.

Habitat destruction :-  Habitat may be lost due to natural forces (climate shifts, geological changes). Much of the habitat lost today is due to human activity such as construction of dams, highways ,canals, and agriculture dramatically affect the inhabitants of native ecosystems.


Read must - what is Climate Change (Definition, Causes,Effects,Actions and solutions )

2). Environmental Pollution

Pollution in many forms has endangered many animals.when  Pesticides and other chemicals introduced to an ecosystem may significantly harm untargeted species. For example, DDT used to fight mosquitoes was eventually linked to declines in the reproductive rates of birds.

3). Invasive species

An invasive species is a species which is not native to the place where it is found.when  It moved from its native area, it can not adapt another environment and may cause environmental harm, impact human health  and other animals.

4). Overpopulation

 Overpopulation is one of the most pressing problems faced by our society.To increase the living area we regularly cut the trees at high pace which is cause of deforestation. it loses the natural habitat of animals. The Major cause of the giant panda's Extinction is the Overpopulation in China. 

5). Hunting and poaching 

Poaching has devastating consequences for wildlife. at some places Poaching ia a main cause of Extinction of animals. For Example- The African elephant, more than 100,000 of which were killed between 2014 and 2017 for ivory. Read More...

6). Fishing 

Fishing is one of the major causes of declines in ocean wildlife populations. The damage done by overfishing goes beyond the marine environment.

Fishing 

7). Natural disasters

Natural disaster especially such as forest fires, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis  and Earthquake have various effects on wildlife animals. A new study found that the population of Javan rhinoceros could go extinct in the future due to natural disasters. 

Read must - How Amazon rainforest fire (an environmental catastrophe) causes climate change ?

Animals in Natural disaster cover 

Image Credit- https://worldanimalnews.com/forgotten-victims-natural-disasters-wildlife/

8). Genetics

Animals with low genetic variation are at greater risk for extinction. Populations with low genetic diversity may not be able to adapt to challenges such as changing environmental conditions, loss of natural habitats and new diseases, which could put them at risk of disappearing. read more ....

9). Diseases 

Not only people suffer from pandemic diseases, also animals can be greatly affected. Diseases like Ebola can cause thousands of deaths among certain species like monkeys.Therefore species of monkey's diminish  dramatically. 

Snow leopard endangered species 

Every creature created by nature has great importance in itself. But today's man has forgotten it in his daily race. Due to increased pollution and deforestation, many animals are declining. The result of which will be terrible. We should do our best to save Endangered Species.

Ways to save endangered species

Ways to save endangered species

1). Recycle and buy sustainable products.

  Buy recycled paper, sustainable products like bamboo to protect forest species. Never bought furniture from wood from rain forests. 

 Recycle your cell phones, because a mineral used in cell phones and other electronics is mined in gorilla habitat.

2). Protect wildlife habitat. 

The biggest threat that many species have in the 21st century is the widespread destruction of habitat. Scientists tell us the best way to protect endangered species Wildlife must have places to find food, shelter and raise their young Logging, oil and gas drilling, over-grazing and development all result habitat destruction.

3). Use less Pesticides and herbicides- 

Reduce the use of Pesticides and herbicides such as DDT as it is not less than a pandemic or disaster for animals.

4). Raise Awareness among people to save species.

Teach your  family, friends,children and Relatives about wildlife, birds, fish and plants that live near you. Remember one thing that every species on the earth has his own importance. 

Just awareness of these species is plays a crucial role to save them from extinction. There are many ways in our daily habits at home affect adversely these creatures.

5). Reduce your Carbon footprint

Drive less, walk more.  Support better public transport, and carpooling. Use biodegradable products and eat less meat. Buy whole food from your farmers market.

6). Avoid plastic products.

Plastic is too much harmful for human being as well as animals. Because large amounts of plastic will end up in our oceans which in turn will harm sea animals such as fishes, sea turtles etc.

On the land plastic also kill animals when they ingested plastic. so we should avoid plastic products as much as possible. must carry your own fabric bag while going for shopping. little steps bring huge change. 

Must Read - ways to reduce plastic pollution

Conclusion 

Animals play an important role in our life. every species has his own importance. We should save our animals at any cost for our bright future. Otherwise we will have to pay a very high price for it

Thanks!!!