“Endangered animals” refers to the probability that a species will disappear. The action of human beings not only affects our health, but also that of other living beings. All species coexist on planet Earth and it seems that humans have more rights than other species to remain in this place, when it is not true. Animals that live close to human activity are extinct or in danger of extinction due to the abusive use of natural resources, among other causes, seriously affecting biodiversity.
Biodiversity includes all types of life that can be found in an area, all the variety of animals, plants and microorganisms. Biodiversity is responsible for human beings having access to water and raw materials.In addition, the biological balance regulates the climate and slows down pollution. But, all this balance has been threatened by the actions of humans to obtain energy and food in an abusive and unsustainable way, affecting the lives of animals.
Currently, on the planet there are more than 8,000 breeds of animals that are in danger of extinction.
REASONS WHY ANIMALS ARE IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION
Destruction of habitats
This point can be attributed to a natural cause, but we must not forget that although the planet undergoes changes continuously, these tend to occur progressively over thousands of years, so it does not have a great impact on species. On the other hand, when these transformations occur at high speed, it is the responsibility of human activity.
One million species are in danger of extinction due to the exploitation of terrestrial and marine natural resources. The degradation of the land surface, the deforestation of forests, the transformation of the land into agricultural land or for the construction of buildings, houses and industries, in addition to garbage and the acidification of the oceans. All this causes many problems in the habitat of the species (lagoons, swamps, rocky areas, forests, jungles, etc) causing the species to be unable to adapt, until they end up disappearing.
Illegal hunting and overexploitation
Illegal hunting and overexploitation of some species has become one of the biggest threats. The black market traffics with more than 300 species of animals and moves between 9,000 and 20,000 million euros a year. The figures are staggering: more than 30,000 elephants, 100 tigers and 1,000 rhinos are killed each year by humans for illegal purposes, such as the extraction of the rhino horn, for example. Many animals that have already disappeared did so because of the hunters.
Introduction of invasive species
The introduction of invasive species or, the so-called exotic species, into a natural habitat that is not the species’ own, rapidly alters the biodiversity of ecosystems. The new inhabitants displace the native species of the place, which causes their death and extinction. But why does this phenomenon happen? It is not by chance, it is caused by humans for commercial and cultural purposes. Only in Europe, according to the United Nations (UN), one in three species is in danger of extinction due to the introduction of invasive species, which is currently the second cause of biodiversity loss in the world.
Climate change
Climate change not only affects humans, but also animals in a devastating way. There is talk of the sixth mass extinction that is the result of human activity. The increase in global temperature or the rise in sea level have an impact on biodiversity. In half a century, global biodiversity has decreased alarmingly and, today, more than 25,000 species are in danger of disappearing because they are in an extreme situation that puts animals in the position of adapting, leaving or dying. The lack of water to drink due to the rise in temperatures, extreme droughts, thaw, rain, floods… The climate is changing at a very fast rate and not all animals can adapt in time, so there is talk of the need to act to solve this problem or, otherwise, it could last forever.
WHAT CAN HUMANS DO TO TAKE CARE OF ANIMALS?
- Reduce the carbon footprint that we leave when we move and feed ourselves. Choose the most sustainable options when traveling, eating and supporting policies that advocate decarbonization.
- Protect ecosystems and habitats by taking care of natural spaces, both those that are protected and those that are not. You can also take action by supporting policies that protect wildlife.
- Report animal cruelty, because every day it happens around us and there are actions that threaten or endanger all species, not only those that are protected, being illegal.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides / herbicides. With the use of these products we endanger the habitat of pollinators and other species.
- Do not support the illegal trade in species. Don’t buy products that have been made with endangered animals or plants.
- Recycle and don’t use plastic. Learn to properly recycle all your waste and always choose alternatives to plastic in your life.
- Do not support anything that hurts animals and report it. Such as sport hunting of animals, exploitation of natural resources, illegal activities in nature, etc.