Endangered Species

Endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct. Sadly, they are on an alarming increase all over the world. As per the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list, there are about 41, 415 species that are endangered today and it is us, humans, who are the major contributors to this state of affairs.

Extinction means that even the last member of a species has died (Example- Dodo). Extinction in the wild, means that the species can survive in captivity but not in its natural environment, (Example- South China Tiger). Critically endangered are those who face extinction in the near future, (Example- Gharial or the Javan Rhino) and endangered are those species that will become extinct in the medium future, (Example- Tiger or the Blue Whale). The causes that lead to an endangered species are primarily the loss of habitat that occurs due to deforestation, over exploitation of the species like the mink or tigers for commercial or medical or any other purposes, pollution of air and water resources, climatic changes due to the green house gases, disease, drought and poor breeding success rates. We need to save species from extinction in order to save the Eco system and the Earth and in turn, ourselves. Extinction of one species can trigger the extinction of thirty more! The only way to stop this disaster is to conserve nature and natural resources. National Parks, National Reserves and Wilderness areas are some habitats that are permanently protected.

Every living being on this planet is dependent on another. The ecological balance is very crucial for our survival and we cannot afford to upset it by endangering any more species or letting any of the endangered species reach extinction.