_Fanfic_Writers_ 's report

Introduction 

Sliding open the door, I headed inside the library. The musty smell of books greeted me. I was about 7 years old when I opened a book. Endangered Animals: A Loss had been a title that had captivated me. I was concerned about the environment at that time; our second-grade class was doing a poster project on anything, so I chose the topic of the environment. I had never heard of Endangered Animals- until then, I never knew of the cruelty of the world to the environment. 

What Does the Word Endangered Mean?

A species at risk of extinction.

Why are Animals being Endangered Important and Problem?

 So you're looking at this report right now on the screen. You're probably asking me why this is important and why people should care about animals being endangered. More likely wondering the very question above. I'll give you my answer.

Healthy ecosystems depend on plant and animal species as their foundations. When a species becomes endangered, it is a sign that the ecosystem is slowly falling apart. Each species that is lost triggers the loss of other species within its ecosystem. Humans depend on healthy ecosystems to purify our environment. Without plants and animals, our lives would not be possible. Oxygen, clean water and soil, and our earliest tools, food, and clothing came from flora and fauna. Animals are our companions, our workers, our eyes and ears, and our food. They appear in ancient cave paintings, and on modern commercial farms. We have domesticated some of them, while others remain wild and are sometimes endangered by our activities.

You see, we could all fall apart like this:

A bear eats fish; fish eat insects, larvae, and crustaceans. Insects, larvae, and crustaceans disappear. Then, the fish disappear due to a lack of food. Then the bears disappear due to lack of habitat. Then whatever eats bears or uses them shrivels away. Like dominos, a simple loss of an animal, or a simple flick of one domino, can trigger the entire ecosystem, or row of dominos, to fall. A balanced and biodiverse ecosystem is one in which each species plays an important role and relies on the services provided by other species to survive. Healthy ecosystems are more productive and resistant to disruptions. 

Consequences of Extinction

If a species has a unique function in its ecosystem, its loss can prompt cascading effects through the food chain (a "trophic cascade"), impacting other species and the ecosystem itself.

An often-cited example is the impact of the wolves in Yellowstone Park, which were hunted to near extinction by 1930. Without them, the elk and deer they had preyed upon thrived, and their grazing decimated streamside willows and aspens, which had provided habitat for songbirds. This left the stream banks susceptible to erosion, and a decline in songbirds allowed mosquitoes and other insects the birds would have eaten to multiply. When the wolves were reintroduced to the park in 1995, they once again preyed on the elk; plant life returned to the stream banks and along with it, birds, beavers, fish, and other animals.

Kelp forests are another classic example. They play an important role in coastal ecosystems because they provide habitat for other species, protect the coastline from storm surges and absorb carbon dioxide. Yet kelp forests are rapidly getting mowed down by exploding numbers of purple sea urchins. California sea otters eat the purple sea urchins that feed on giant kelp. These otters used to number in the hundreds of thousands to millions, but their population has been reduced to about 3,000 as a result of unchecked hunting in the 19th century and pollution. Moreover, in 2013 the sunflower starfish, which also eats purple sea urchins, began dying because of a virus that was likely exacerbated by warmer waters. Without the sea otter and the sunflower starfish predators, the purple sea urchin began feasting on the kelp forests, which declined 93 percent between 2013 and 2018. (A found that kelp forests are now also threatened by ocean heatwaves.) The explosion of sea urchins not only damaged the kelp ecosystem but also had serious impacts on Northern California's red urchins that are valued for sushi. Fish that need the kelp forests for spawnings, such as sculpin, rock cod, and red snapper may become vulnerable in the future as well.

List of Endangered Animals

10. Gorillas 

They are fascinating creatures that share 98.3% of their DNA with humans! 

There are two species, the Eastern Gorilla and the Western Gorilla, and they both have two subspecies. Three out of four are Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The only one that isn't is the subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla, which is considered Endangered.

At the time of writing, there are only around 100 to 150 adults left in the wild. Like many endangered animals, their decline is mostly due to poaching, habitat loss, disease, and human conflict. Gorillas are also slow to recover as they have a low reproductive rate, meaning females only give birth every four to six years. One female will breed three or four times in her lifetime. 

9. Rhinos

The name Rhinocerous comes from two Greek words Rhino and Ceros, which when translated into English mean nose horn! It's a very fitting name, don't you think? Unfortunately, though, poaching for their distinctive horns is their biggest threat. They are used in Traditional Chinese medicine and displayed as a status symbol and demonstration of wealth. They are so highly prized that a Javan rhino horn can sell for up to $30,000 per kg on the black market. 

Because of this, three of the five species of rhinoceros are among the most endangered species in the world: the black Rhino, the Javan rhino, and the Sumatran rhino. The Javan rhino is the closest to extinction with only between 46 to 66 individuals left, all of which are in Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia.

8. Sea Turtles 

Next on our endangered species list is sea turtles. Two species of sea turtle are critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hawksbill turtles and Kemps Ridley Turtles. are classified as Vulnerable, though the population is decreasing and several subpopulations are facing extinction. Hunting is one of the biggest threats to sea turtles, with poachers targeting their eggs, shells, meat, and skin. They are also at risk from habitat loss, bycatch, and pollution as well as climate change. Sand temperature determines the sex of hatchlings with eggs developing as females in warmer temperatures. That means even small temperature changes could skew the sex ratio of populations. Furthermore, breeding beaches could disappear underwater with sea-level rise.

7. Saola 

The Saola is one of the rarest large mammals on Earth. It was first discovered in 1992 in the Annamite Range in Vietnam, an event so exciting it was hailed as one of the most spectacular zoological discoveries of the 20th century. 

The Saola is elusive and so rarely seen it's known as the Asian unicorn! Population numbers are hard to determine with any accuracy, but it is considered critically endangered, and it is one of the rarest large terrestrial mammals on Earth.

6. North Atlantic Right Whale 

It was whalers that gave the North Atlantic right whale its name. They are gentle giants that stay close to coasts and spend a lot of time at the surface skim feeding on zooplankton, all of which make them an easy target and the 'right whale to hunt. They were almost wiped out by hunters after their meat and oil-rich fat known as blubber, and are now one of the most endangered large whales. There are currently only around 400 of them left, and only about 100 breeding females. They are now protected, and hunting is illegal, but population recovery is slow. Females don't breed for the first ten years of their life and then will give birth to a single calf every six to ten years.

They are still very much at risk of extinction, with boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear some of the biggest threats. Vessel traffic also creates noise that interferes with their ability to communicate. Whales use sound to find mates, locate food and avoid predators, as well as to navigate and talk to each other. It really is an essential sense. Finally, climate change and changing sea temperatures may affect food availability, which will have a knock-on effect on survival and reproductive rates.

5. Tooth-billed pigeon 

Following the example of their relative the extinct dodo, tooth-billed pigeons are disappearing at an alarming rate. They only live in Samoa and there are currently 70 to 380 left in the wild, with no captive populations to aid conservation efforts. Very little is actually known about tooth-billed pigeons. They are elusive and very rarely seen. 

In the past hunting has played a big part in their decline and has killed thousands of individuals. It is illegal today, but tooth-billed pigeons are still killed accidentally during hunts for other species. Currently, one of their main threats is habitat loss. Large areas of their home have been cleared to make space for agriculture, destroyed by cyclones, or taken over by invasive trees. They are also at risk of predation from invasive species, including feral cats. 

 4. Gharial 

Gharials are fish-eating crocodiles from India. They have long thin snouts with a large bump on the end which resembles a pot known as a Ghara, which is where they get their name. They spend most of their time in freshwater rivers, only leaving the water to bask in the sun and lay eggs.

Unfortunately, Gharial numbers have been in decline since the 1930s, and, sadly, this large crocodilian is now close to extinction. There are only around 100 to 300 left in the wild. Their decline is due to several issues, though all human-made. Habitat loss, pollution, and entanglement in fishing nets pose some of the biggest threats, along with poachers that reget them for use in traditional medicine. 

3. Kakapos 

Kakapos are nocturnal ground-dwelling parrots from New Zealand, and yet another example of an animal brought to the edge of extinction by humans. They are critically endangered with only around 140 individuals remaining, each one with an individual name.

They were once common throughout New Zealand and Polynesia but now inhabit just two small islands off the coast of southern New Zealand. One of the main threats to Kakapos is predation from introduced species such as cats and stoats that hunt using scent. A kakapo's natural reaction is to freeze and blend in with the background when threatened. It is effective against predators that rely on sight to hunt but not smell. Females also leave the nest unattended when finding food, leaving the eggs freely available to predators.

Intensive conservation measures mean the population is on the increase now, which is positive. But, genetic diversity is low among the remaining kakapo, which could affect survival in the future, especially if they are struck by a disease. 

 2. Amur Leopards 

Unfortunately, Amur leopards are one of the world's most endangered big cats. They are Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and between 2014 and 2015, there were only around 92 Amur leopards left within their natural range. That number is now estimated to be less than 70. 

Like all species on our endangered list, humans are their biggest threat. Their beautiful coats are popular with poachers as are their bones which they sell for use in traditional Asian medicine. They are also at risk from habitat loss due primarily to natural and human-made fires. Climate change is also changing the Amur leopard habitat and leading to a decrease in prey availability. 

 1. Vaquita 

The vaquita is both the smallest and the most endangered marine mammal in the world. It has been classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN since 1996, and in 2018, there were only around 6 to 22 vaquitas left. The latest estimate, from July 2019, suggests there are currently only 9. 

Their biggest threat is from the illegal fishing of totoaba, a large fish in demand because of its swim bladder. Vaquitas accidentally end up entangled in the gillnets set for totoaba and drown because they can no longer swim to the surface to breathe. Conservation efforts led to the introduction of a ban on gillnets in the vaquita habitat back in July 2016, but illegal fishing continues, and the threat remains. Efforts now focus on enforcing the ban on gillnets and persecuting those that use them. Conservationists are also working to decrease the demand for totoaba, which is a protected species. 

Now there are other species too; however, I cannot list all. 

Tigers, Amur leopards, gorillas, rhinos; all close to extinction. How do we stop this?

How do we Stop extinction? 

Educate your family about endangered species in your area. It's not just about snow leopards in Russia, it's about the ecosystem in your own backyard. Teach your friends and family about wildlife, birds, fish, and plants that live near you. Just awareness of these species is a critical step. From the worms in the garden to the bats that pollinate and control the mosquitos, there are many ways that our daily habits at home affect these creatures.  

Recycle and buy sustainable products. Much of what threatens local populations has to do with development and more and more of the natural world is plundered to produce new goods. Never buy furniture made of wood from rainforests or endangered trees. Recycle your cell phones, because a mineral used in electronic production is mined in gorilla habitat. Don't use palm oil because forests, where tigers live, are being cut down to plant palm plantations.

Grow native plants. It's a no-brainer but local species rely on local plants. You are providing food and shelter for native wildlife and you can reduce your water usage at the same time. Attracting native insects like bees and butterflies can help pollinate your flowers. And conversely, invasive species compete with native species for resources and habitat, threatening biodiversity. They can even prey on native species directly, forcing native species towards extinction.

Reduce your water consumption. During droughts, people get better at not watering their lawns, but we need to understand that clean water is a global problem for wild animals, so the fewer humans consume, the better. Never dump chemicals or pharmaceuticals down toilets, storm drains, or streams, or lakes. 

Reduce your personal footprint. Drive less, walk more. Support better public transport, use biodegradable products, and eat whole food from your farmer's market.

Do not buy plastic products. Take your bags to the store, reuse containers and properly dispose of lightweight plastics. Wild animals get tangled in these products, and they end up in the ocean being ingested by small fish and killing off beneficial microorganisms.

Pressure your civil servants. It cannot rest on the scientific community alone to defend the natural world, voters and consumers must take a stand. This means signing petitions, writing letters, and donating.

Volunteer your time to protect the wildlife in your area. Wildlife refuges, parks, and other places are often underfunded and desperate for help. Volunteering at one of these places to protect the animals might mean just educating visitors, or picking up litter.

Do not purchase products from companies that are known as polluters. Many industries and lobby hard so that they don't have to clean up their own messes. You can do your part by not giving these companies your business, and cast your vote with your dollar. Spread the word about bad business practices and when it dings their bottom lines, these companies will take notice.

Get in touch with your Fish and Game Department. If you hunt, keep your licenses up to date and stay in touch with your local WFG so that you know which populations of games need culling and which are under threat. Hunting, instituted properly, is a sustainable way of maintaining wild populations like deer and turkey.

Blackout the Black Market. Sometimes when we travel, we don't realize that the souvenirs we are buying are under threat. Avoid supporting the market in illegal wildlife including tortoise-shell, ivory, and coral.

Herbicides and pesticides are hazardous pollutants that affect wildlife at many levels. These chemicals take a long time to degrade and build up in the soil before disseminating throughout the food chain. Critical predators like hawks, owls, and coyotes suffer if they eat poisoned animals, and they can rock whole populations. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to these chemical pollutants! Let us know; what else can we do to help?

Conclusion 

Animals are getting endangered; we must help. Follow the steps above; one small step for a person, a giant leap for the environment.

"Closing the book, I headed out of the library door. I turn to see a plastic wrapping floating down the street. I use my shoes and kick the plastic wrapping away to the garbage can- I wish people didn't litter. That night, it rains. When I lean out of the window after dinner, I open my mouth as I see oils floating down into a storm drain. Watching it sadly, I let it flow, as there is nothing I can do.

At the age of 12, I hurry down the same road to the Library.

I was returning a book I'd read; then I saw it again.

Polluting, littering; my mind flashed back the years to when I read about endangered animals.

The next day, I volunteered my time for a summer cleanup at the beach; I headed down to New York City's Long Island and Coney Island.

Scattered around the beach were litter, litter, and sand."