Beautiful and Endangered...

While going through various articles on wildlife, I came across the pictures of some really beautiful and rare creatures which I have never seen, nor do I think I will get a chance to see. This is because of the rate at which these exotic creatures are declining. In fact the decline rate has gone high to such an extent that most of these species are on the verge of extinction, if already not so. Species are disappearing from every continent. There is no time like the present to get to know these animals and the role they play in the global ecosystem. This is the time when we can work to stop these from getting extinct, so that not only our children but also our great-grandchildren get a chance to see most of these species in their natural habitats.

Land reptiles, marine mammals, birds, insects, plants and everything in between is declining due to only one overwhelming cause, that is human intervention. There are millions of species currently facing extinction, from zoo favourites like elephants and tigers to fish and insects perhaps known only to the scientists working to preserve them. Creatures such as New Zealand Kaka bird (red parrot that lives on the North and South Islands), Arabian Oryx etc are being bred in captivity to reintroduce them to the wild.

Other animals are not so lucky…

1.                Fin whales, humpback whales, and sperm whales, to list a few, are at the mercy of ocean pollutants. These gentle giants may one day be gone from our oceans for good.

2.                 Certain creatures such as Mangabeys are vulnerable due to habitat loss, and the Cherry-Crowned has become especially rare due to its large size, which makes it attractive to hunters as a source of meat.

3.                 Deforestation has been a major cause of the decline of the species like Blyth's Tragopan, Kinkajous etc

4.                 Land clearings and human settlement in natural habitats of certain wildlife (such as Fossa, Somali wild ass, Water vole etc) has led to their decline, due to their habitat destruction. Giant lemurs have become extinct because of the same reasons.

5.                 Certain marine species has made it to the endangered species list because of their slow rates of reproduction and growth, and high rates of fishing. These include Sand Tiger Shark.

6.                 The extinction is limited not only to animals but to plants as well. These are subjected to extinction by overgrazing in certain areas, deforestation in others, and also by destruction of their natural habitats by construction of dams and other projects. These include various breathtaking species such as Darwinia chapmaniana, Georgia Aster, Orbea paradox and Hibiscus insularis, to name a few.

7.                 Certain primates such as Lion-Tailed Macaque are among the most threatened of all primate species. Unlike many other primate species, these do not adapt well to human settlements and will not live in, feed on, or travel through plantations. This reluctance to approach areas of human civilization has led to their steep decline.

8.                 The Giant Otter has long been a vulnerable species due to its pelts' popularity in the fur trade. More recently, logging and farming in rainforests have displaced many Giant Otters. Others declining because of same reasons include Tibetan Antelope prized by poachers for its soft under wool, called shahtoosh. The Red Panda found only in the Himalayas is also imperilled by poaching due to the high value of its fur and its bushy tail, from which hats are made.

9.                 The spread of disease from domestic animals, as well as habitat loss and overhunting, has endangered species like the Pampas Deer, which may have a future only in captivity and protected wildlife preserves.

10.                The Lesser Kestrel is still plentiful in many parts of its broad range, but has undergone a very rapid decline in recent years. This small falcon eats locusts, as well as mice and lizards. A reduction in safe nesting places, available food, and habitat, as well as increased use of insecticides, have likely contributed to the Lesser Kestrel's and also many other bird species’ rapid drop in population.

11.                Hunting by whalers and by soldiers stationed in Hawaii during World War II contributed to the decline of the Hawaiian Monk Seal, which continues to decline due to increased human activity, predation, skewed gender ratios in remaining populations, and entanglement in fishing nets.

12.                The Blue-Throated Macaw is critically endangered and commands a high price in the pet trade, making the remaining wild population very vulnerable to capture and illegal sale. Clear cutting in their native habitat for the purpose of establishing cattle farms has also caused destruction of nesting sites and contributed to the population's rapid decline.

13.                The Red Wolves were perceived as a threat to livestock and so were hunted down to near-extinction

14.                The Green Sea Turtle is endangered throughout the world, primarily due to hunting and fishing by humans. Hunted for their flesh and shells in many areas. It is illegal to touch, kill, or harass a Green Sea Turtle today.

A global conservation study has warned that one fifth of animal and plant species are under the threat of extinction. Scientists who compiled the Red List of Threatened Species say that the proportion of species facing wipe-out is rising. So it can be expected that soon this one fifth we are talking about will move on from endangered species list to that of extinct ones, and the rest four fifth would be included in the endangered one. But this can be prevented if we extend our support to various organizations working for the cause of wildlife conservation such as IUCN, WWF etc. Help can be offered by spreading awareness for this cause and also by working towards the achievement of the same. Because only intensive conservation work can pull some of these species back from the brink of oblivion. 

The highest losses were seen in Southeast Asia, where loss of habitat as forests are cleared for agriculture, including bio fuel crops, is fastest. It is seen that most of the problems - be it related to conservation of wildlife, or that of soil conservation, climate control or pollution can be solved by a single solution- protection and regrowth of our forests and the resources they provide. Forests form the 'backbone' of biodiversity and it is being eroded, leading to all these problems and more. So a protection of these may lead to a solution to all the problems relating to natural conditions. Forests help maintain the ecological balance within the ecosystem, and also maintain a continuous positive flow of resources which benefits all its components. Governments of all the countries appear united in their desire to do something in this regard and they want to see improvements in status, so a step in this direction can help save a lot.

So finally it can be said “fulfil your duty and take steps to save these precious lives”...."let them be free..just like you and me.."

"Because we are beautiful...we want to live...and see the world and its beauty just like you..."

"LET US LIVE..."