Why are Animals Endangered?

Indeed, as the 21st century marches on, we have been seeing more and more animal species become endangered and even extinct around the world.

Some experts point out that modern rates of extinction may be as much as 1,000 times higher than historical "background" rates.

Many endangered animals reside within tropical rain forests.

So let’s have a look at the main causes of why so many animals are endangered.

While there are many direct and indirect factors that affect the animal well-being, there is no reasonable doubt that the human agency is the most critical factor in endangering many animal species.

First, animal habitat loss and fragmentation as a result of human demand for land and other natural resources is a major cause for biodiversity loss.

Perhaps one of the saddest examples of that is the case of mountain gorillas which live only in several rain forest areas in Africa and are now classified as critically endangered.

Over the years, mountain gorillas lost a lot of their forested habitat mostly because of logging and farmers’ use of wood for charcoal.

Second, though the international community has undertaken major steps in curtailing wildlife trade, it still presents a real danger to wild animals.

Wild animals are sold for use as pets, as well as for "bush meat" trade, body parts trade and trade for biomedical research.

Other factors

We are also increasingly concerned about pollution and global warming having a negative effect on the wildlife.

As an example, there are founded suspicions that the recent disappearance of some species of tropical frogs is just one effect of global warming.

In another example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted that by the middle of the 21st century increased temperatures and lack of sufficient amounts of water may lead to the replacement of some parts of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil by savannah.

This loss of forest cover would also mean the habitat loss for many tropical animals inhabiting the Amazon rainforest.

How can we help endangered animals?

We can certainly help improve the state of the global environment and the well-being of wild animals by taking simple steps in our everyday lives.

One way to save the planet’s natural resources is to consume less and do more recycling.

Another interesting option is investing in "green" industries.

For more information, visit Endangered Animals and Mountain Gorillas.

Source: Reading, R. P. & Miller, B. (Eds.). (2000). Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues, p. xiv. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press

Source: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007). Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report. Summary for Policymakers, p. 11. Approved in detail at IPCC Plenary XXVII in Valencia, Spain, 12-17 November 2007