El human It is a machine that is increasingly destroying natural ecosystems and degrading the areas where the vast majority of the planet's fauna species live. Industrialization and increasing urbanization have turned natural spaces into mere recreational and conservation spaces. While before there was talk of expansion, now there is talk of campaigns. All the polluting and degrading activities of human beings have made the endangered animalsAn endangered animal is one whose populations are declining dramatically over the years or its habitat is fragmented.
In this article we are going to learn more about the endangered animals and the problems it entails, as well as the causes and consequences of this alarming global situation that we must face.
What animals are in danger of extinction?
They have come to recognize each other 8.300 breeds of animals on the planet. Of all of them, the 8% is already extinct, as well as the 22% are in danger of extinction Today, we are facing what many scientists call the sixth great extinction, a process of mass disappearance of species driven, fundamentally, by human action.
The main animals that are already in danger of extinction are:
- Polar Bear
- Panda
- Sumatran tiger
- Mountain gorilla
- Iberian lynx
- Hammerhead shark
- North Atlantic right whale
- Orcas
- Giraffes
- Snow Leopard
- Asian cheetah
- caracal
- Amur leopard
- Sumatra tiger
And the list goes on. The poaching, The deforestation, overfishing and the climate change They are doing havoc among animals. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more of 5.000 species are in danger of disappearing all over the world.
What is the animal that is most in danger of extinction?
El polar bear is one of most endangered mammals of the entire planet. Climate change, generated by human activity, is causing the melting of the polar caps, the natural habitat of these animals. Since they feed on seals that they hunt from the ice, the lack of ice caps is reducing their chances of hunting. Currently, there are slightly more than 20.000 copies alive, but their population decline is constant.
What wild animal is in danger of extinction?
El Javan rhino is in an extremely critical situation. This species, which lives mainly in Indonesia, already has less than 80 copies, and its population continues to decline. The main reason for its hunting is the medicinal value that is given to its horn in some cultures. Added to this is the loss of their natural habitat due to deforestation, which threatens their long-term survival.
Environmental Issues
Endangered animals are, to a large extent, the immediate consequence of human activities and industrialized progress. The main causes are related to the habitat destruction and alteration of ecosystems that depend on them.
Many animals are capable of adapt to new environments, but these adaptation processes often take hundreds or even thousands of years. The planet, for its part, is not standing still: it undergoes natural transformations, but the fundamental difference between natural changes and those caused by humans are their speed. Changes caused by human activity occur at such a rapid rate that animal species simply do not have the time to adapt.
Causes why animals are in danger of extinction
The reasons why many animals are in danger of extinction can be classified into two large groups: natural causes y anthropogenic causes, those that come from human activities.
Natural causes
- Diseases and pandemics: Throughout history, various diseases have decimated entire animal populations.
- Competition with other species: Sometimes, competition for resources between species can lead some to extinction.
- Natural disasters: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and forest fires have caused mass disappearances in the past.
Human Causes
- Habitat destruction: Deforestation, land transformation and urbanization have reduced the spaces where animals can develop their lives.
- Resource overexploitation: Overfishing, poaching and logging directly and negatively affect many species.
- Contamination: Pollutants such as plastics, heavy metals and industrial waste poison ecosystems.
- Climate change: Global warming is seriously affecting polar, oceanic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Consequences of endangered animals
The extinction of animals affects not only those living beings, but also the complete ecosystems of which they were part. These are some of the most serious consequences:
- Loss of genetic diversity: The more species disappear, the less genetic variability there is among those that remain, making them more vulnerable to disease.
- Alteration of food chains: Each animal plays a role in its ecosystem. When they disappear, food chains are disrupted or altered.
- Impact on humanity: While we may think that the extinction of certain animals has no direct impact on us, the reality is that humans depend on biodiversity for food, medicines and other resources.
Destruction of ecosystems and natural resources
La destruction of ecosystems Not only does it cause the irreversible extinction of animals and plants, but it also affects the quality of the natural resources we use in our daily lives. Tree felling, for example, causes the loss of water sources due to soil erosion and the disruption of the natural hydrological cycles of many forests.
In addition, the disappearance of animal species affects fundamental ecological processes such as pollination or pest control, which can cause significant imbalances in areas such as agriculture and food production.
It is imperative that we take urgent measures to stop this process and preserve our planet not only for future generations of human beings, but also for all living beings that inhabit it.