Endangered Animals in Antarctica

Antarctica, the coldest continent, has an abundance of animal life. It shows the productivity of the Antarctic Ocean. Almost all the animals are dependant on sea, and are warm-blooded to meet the challenges of extreme coldness.

Today, Antarctica is facing a severe challenge for its survival. Human destructive activities are largely responsible for the condition of endangered animals in Antarctica. The Antarctic region is being explored for oil and minerals. Oil-spills and polluted waters, in addition to hunting of endangered marine animals, have endangered their natural habitat.

Moreover, the presence of chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere has caused Global warming. This has led to the depletion in ozone layer, which has resulted in melting of Antarctica's ice-sheets. Here, we will give some information on endangered animals in Antarctica:

Southern Right Whale: They are dark gray or black, and may have white spots on their abdomen. A large mouth that arches down beneath the eyes, along with callosities on their heads, distinguishes them from other whales. They do not have a dorsal fin.

Southern Right Whales are the first whale to be protected under the laws. According to an estimate, only 4,000 of them are alive today. Their numbers are threatened due to commercial whaling industry.

Blue Whale: They are the largest whale in the sea. They can weigh 120 tons and grow up to 80 feet in length. They have a dorsal fin towards the rear, and eight-foot-long flippers. They can be distinguished by their big size and blue gray-skin with white or gray spots.

Commercial Whaling industry has endangered their existence, although they are protected by International law. In 1966, a survey of Blue Whales has placed their numbers at 11,000.

Amsterdam Albatross: It is a large bird having chocolate-brown upper body and a white face and throat. They are endangered due to feral cats, which feed on birds. Moreover, forest fires and long line fishing have added to their endangerment. They are critically endangered with only 90 individual species alive.

Northern Royal Albatross: It is a large bird with white head, neck and tail, and black wings. They have a very small breeding area in the Antarctic region. Their number is endangered because storms in 1980s have severely affected their breeding ground.

Tristan Albatross: It is a large bird with white body and black wings, not easily distinguishable from other albatrosses. A very small breeding area in the Antarctic region, along with long line fishing has made them endangered animals. Moreover, rats and mice preying on the eggs of the birds have added to their endangerment.

In the same way, penguins have been slaughtered for their blubber and skins. Seals are endangered due to trade in seal skins. They have been provided protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Hunting of whales on large-scale has endangered all the species of whales.

Nowadays, many people are taking a tour to Antarctica. A steady increase in tourism in Antarctica has severely affected the nesting and breeding grounds of native animals.

Therefore, it will be in human interest to become alert and responsive to the condition of endangered animals in Antarctica.