Information about Endangered Animals

Dinosaurs became extinct about sixty-five million years ago in a series of volcanic eruptions. They are the most famous animal known to have become extinct.

Today, many animals are endangered not due to natural factors, but due to man-made causes. Poaching of endangered animals on a large-scale has made their survival difficult. Moreover, lack of information on endangered animals has made the situation worse.

Animals are endangered due to their habitat loss. Man has encroached upon the forest land, making the animals homeless. Human activities have vastly changed the global climatic conditions. Green-house gases have caused global warming, and polluted marine water has made the survival of marine life difficult.

Poaching of endangered animals is an illegal offence and punishable under the laws of the land. But, it is widely practiced because this ugly business is very profitable. Endangered animals are poached for their body parts, which have a high value in the international market.

Tiger bones, ivory tusks of elephants, rhino horns, sahtoosh obtained from Tibetan Antelopes, eggs of Sturgeon or Paddle fish to make caviar, etc. are in great demand, and have a premium price in the market. The extra-ordinary demand for the body parts of endangered animals has threatened their existence, and has pushed them on the verge of extinction.

Today, the rate of decline in the numbers of endangered animals has reached an alarming proportion. According to an estimate by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), one-third amphibians, one-fourth of mammals, one-eighth of birds, one-half of fresh-water turtles, and one-fifth of sharks are in danger. If immediate steps to check this alarming rate of decline are not taken, it may be too late to recover the loss.

Several endangered animal organizations have been established for their protection, and to check their rapidly declining numbers. World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), National Wildlife Federation (NWF), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Endangered Wildlife Group (EWG), Defenders of Wildlife, Greenpeace, National Audubon Society, etc. are some important organizations looking after the interest of endangered animals.

Conservation of endangered animals is important to maintain the ecological balance. Several laws have been laid down by the governments, which forbids hunting of endangered animals, and restricts land development. Creating wildlife preserves have also gained importance.

Captive breeding is another method of conserving, and restoring decreasing numbers of endangered animals. It is a process of breeding rare and endangered animals in man-made environments. Wildlife preserves and zoos can be adequately used for captive breeding.

Moreover, wildlife conservation is important for the beauty of nature. Community based tourism will help to maintain a balance between the local economy and co-existence. The government of Nepal has taken some important steps in this direction.

Therefore, the information about endangered animals given above will make you an informed person. It is important to be an active member of the society and make a difference to it.