ANIMAL EXTINCTION

A species becomes extinct when the last existing member of that species dies. Extinction therefore becomes a certainty when there are no surviving individuals that are able to reproduce and create a new generation. A species may become functionally extinct when only a handful of individuals survive, which are unable to reproduce due to poor health, age, sparse distribution over a large range, a lack of individuals of both sexes (in sexually reproducing species), or other reasons.

An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has calculated the percentage of endangered species as 40 percent of all organisms based on the sample of species that have been evaluated through 2006.

THE CAUSES OF EXTINCTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

Habitat loss, as a result of human demand, is widely considered to be the most important cause of animal extinction. Rainforests are the main habitats for tropical animals. There are huge demands laid constantly on forests by various parties. For a more detailed discussion of how rainforest habitat is lost, see rainforest destruction. Tropical rainforests are cleared for wood / timber resources, development of petroleum resources (see the oil contamination case of Ecuador rainforest), mineral resources, for cash-crop plantations and subsistence farming.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE TRADE

Poaching and (legal and illegal) wildlife trade are another common threat to animals. Some examples of trade are-

PET

TRADE FUR TRADE BUSHMEAT TRADE BODY PARTS TRADE TRADE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

Environmental pollution which in many ways causes global warming, is another cause for animal demise. Yet again, tropical frogs may be seriously affected by pollution of their habitats.

THE ANIMALS ARE USE TO GET MANY PRODUCTS

According to scientistes, more than one and one-half million species exist on the earth today. However, recent estimates state that at least 20 times that many species inhabit the planet. In the United Stats, 735 species of plants and 496 species of animals are listed as threatened or endangered. 266 of these listed species have recovery plans currently under development. There are more than 1,000 animal species endangered worldwide. There are more than 3,500 protected areas in existence worldwide. These areas include parks, wildlife refuges and other reserves. They cover a total of nearly 2 million square miles (5 million square km), or 3% of our total land area. Aquatic species, which are often overlooked, are facing serious trouble. One third of the United States fish species, two-thirds of its crayfish species, and almost three-quarters of its mussel species are in trouble.

The Baiji Dolphin

West African Black Rhino

Functionally extinct by 2006. IUCN: database entry. Scientific name: Lipotes vexillifer.

Probably extinct by 2006. IUCN: database entry. Scientific name: Diceros bicornis longipes.

THEGOLDEN TOAD
Extincted by 2007. IUCN: database entry. Scientific name: Incilius periglenes.

HOLDRIDGES TOAD
Extinted by 2007. IUCN: database entry. Scientific name: Incilius holdridgei.

PYRENEAN IBEX
Subspecies extinct by 2000. IUCN: database entry. Scientific name: Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica. Photo source (Wikipedia).

Historially the Amur Leopard's range included the Amur River Basin and the mountains of northeast China and the Korean Peninsular, but today it is only found in one small area of far eastern Russia, and (possibly) Jilin Province in China. The main cause of the Amur Leopard's demise: Being hunted for its fur and for medicinal use. Declines in its traditional prey have caused the leopard to hunt domestic animal populations, causing it to be further hunted.

AXOLOTL

The Axolotl, often called the 'Mexican walking fish' though it's really a salamander, is native to the ancient water channel system of Mexico City. It prefers deep brackish water with plenty of vegetation. The threats to the Axolotl's habitat date back the 17th century, when the city's water system began being neglected, drained and having sewage dumped in it. The main threat today is further degradation of this water system. Fortunately, the axolotl breeds well in captivity, perhaps allowing wild reintroduction at a later date, should its habitat be restored.

SOLOMON

This is not only the rarest, but the strangest parrot in the world. Imagine a rather portly nocturnal bird that never flies, preferring to hike through hilly forest for miles every night.

Everyone knows the beloved endangered kiwi is a flightless bird. As if to make up for its winged impotence, the kiwi is actually a violent, temperamental little bird.

Winning the cutest. bat. ever. award is the Bumblebee bat, which at its largest measures 1 inch. These tiny mammals hover like hummingbirds and like all bats prefer caves and love feasting on insects.

Instructions
1

Coordinate funds with your neighbors and fellow concerned citizens to take out an ad in your local newspaper. A half-page ad in your Sunday newspaper speaking about the threat of animal extinction will increase the public's exposure to this issue. 2 Design a website devoted entirely to the potential extinction of an animal species. This site should provide an online presence for your cause and offer a central organizing point for concerned citizens around the world. 3 Partner with advocacy groups at a local university to promote ways to prevent animal extinction in the community. The enthusiasm of college advocates can be harnessed under the umbrella of preventing animal extinction. 4 Send donations to funds and foundations devoted to the protection of animals from mass extinction. It is important to conduct research on how donations are used to find a wildlife fund with a good track record. 5 Share your concern over animal extinction with the public through regular letters to the editor. Your letters should be sent to your community's daily newspapers as well as alternative papers and weekly publications in neighboring communities.

6 Organize public protests outside government offices, zoos and other facilities to bring the problem of animal extinction to light. Your protest should be peaceful and each person should carry brochures about ways to stop animal extinction. 7 Join the effort to stop animal extinction by volunteering with a local wildlife foundation. These foundations need volunteers to work on educational displays, fundraising campaigns and public events. 8 Mobilize your friends, family and fellow conservationists to write letters to government officials on a regular basis. You should give everyone a contact list of state and federal officials who have the power to protect endangered animals. 9 Conserve resources and live a green lifestyle as part of your effort to prevent animal extinction. The simple acts of recycling bottles and using public transportation can decrease the need to destroy habitats for additional natural resources.

ONE WHICH FACE EXTINCTION

ITS OUR DUTY TO SAVE TIGERS

THANK YOU