Endangered Animals and Birds

Animals and birds are endangered due to human activities. The population explosion and the need for rapid expansion have caused a habitat loss to the endangered animals and birds.

It is estimated that twenty times the numbers of animals alive today inhabited the earth. Many animals and birds have become extinct, and many others are on the verge of extinction. More than one-thousand animal and bird species are endangered worldwide.

About endangered animals

The "red list" of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) contains the names of over 5,000 endangered animals. Some are critically endangered and require more attention while others are placed in vulnerable or threatened categories. The names of some of the endangered animals are Mountain Gorilla, Giant Turtle, Bactrian camel, Gharial, Asian Elephant, Blue Whale, Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Polar Bear, Hippopotamus, etc.

Habitat loss and extensive poaching of animals are the main reasons for their declining numbers. The rapid expansion for development has made the endangered animals homeless. Moreover, the body parts of animals are valued highly in the black market, and bears premium price from the customers.

Pollution is yet another reason for the decreasing numbers of endangered animals. Global warming due to presence of excessive carbon di-oxide in the atmosphere has caused many animals to relocate themselves. This has led to difficulty in their survival.

About endangered birds

Birds are a beautiful part of nature, and have fascinated the mankind from long. Many areas are paradise for bird watching. But, they are endangered due to destructive activities of people.

The colonization of Pacific islands, Australia and New Zealand by the Polynesians led to the death of many birds. Moreover, many more birds died due to the European colonization throughout the world.

The main reasons for the extinction and endangerment of birds are the habitat loss and large-scale hunting of endangered birds. Birds like Ivory-billed Woodpecker, California Candor, and Red-Cockaded Woodpecker are endangered due to deforestation and logging. Greater Prairie Chickens lives in open coastal grasslands and are endangered due to habitat loss from cultivation and grazing.

Moreover, some highly sensitive chemicals and toxins have endangered birds. The spray of pesticides and insecticides has made them vulnerable. Birds can become sick from inhaling these chemicals through their skin.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed many bird species in India and Britain as endangered. The names of some of these endangered birds in India are Pink-headed Duck, Himalayan Quail, Sarus Crane, Siberian Crane, Oriental Stork, Bengal Florican, Long-billed Vulture, etc. Some endangered birds in Britain are Aquatic Warbler, Corn Crake, Eurasian Wryneck, Osprey, Skylark, Song Thrush, Stone-Curlew, etc.

Conservation of endangered animals and birds

It is important to conserve the endangered animals and birds. World Wildlife Federation (WWF) and several other wildlife organizations have taken the initiative for conserving the endangered species. WWF has started an "Animals for Adoption" program, which can help to improve the condition of endangered animals with your active support.

Moreover, endangered animal laws such as Endangered Species Act (ESA), The Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, etc. have been enforced to protect the endangered animals and birds.