Global efforts to protect endangered species

Centuries ago, different forms of species had existed and some had even co-existed with man. Archaeological evidences had given us detailed explanation to this, while some species like dinosaurs, Liopleurodon ( a foot long marine reptile ...smithsonian magazine) and some other species were said to have gone into extinction because of catastrophic event, some were known to have gone into extinction because of human interference with nature by hunting them down for food, business and other various purpose. The rate at which various organisms are exposed to threat is very alarmingly which is why global efforts and steps are been taken to protect these species. It is necessary for us to understand that all of this species contribute to the maintenance of ecological equilibrium. Each specie are known to have their own special function, which they perform in the environment. For Instance, orangutans play a very important role in seed dispersal (the process or technique whereby plant seeds are transported to new sites for germination and the establishment off new individuals.) and forest regeneration. 

We have other species such as elephants, rhinoceros, pangolin etc. all of these species make up the equilibrium in the environment. If one were to look closely, he must have noticed that the term specie has been used frequently. Therefore, we have to understand what we refer to as specie and what it means when we say something is endangered.

An endangered specie is that which is at the point of extinction because of exploitation and loss of habitat. Britannica defines it as any species that is at risk of extinction because of sudden rapid decrease in its population or a loss of its critical habitat. They are species that are likely to go into extinction in the near future either worldwide or a particular poitical jurisdiction (wikipedia). Species are listed to be endangered at different levels either federal, state or international as long as they see the signs of threat and decline of the specie. There are different bodies in charge of this responsibility such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and so on. An act called Endangered species Act (ESA) was set up in the 1970s to protect these species. 

Specie

According to Encarta, species are a biology taxonomic group : a subdivision of a genus considered as a basic biological classification and containing individuals that resemble one another and may interbreed. It is also defined as a classification comprising related organisms that share common characteristics. They are also capable of interbreeding. They are the largest group of organisms that can also produce healthy offspring and ensure maintenance of biological diversity. According to research we have over 8.7 million species of plant and animal in the world, however a large percentage of this specie are yet to be discovered while some are no longer in existence. We have different categories of species; for instance, animals are divided into five categories, which are mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. These species are known to differ from each other biologically and physically although they are all considered as animals. Let us explain these categories briefly.

Categories of animal species in the world

• Mammals: This group of vertebrates is animal with vertebral columns. They are known to produce offspring that are fed milk through the mammary gland that is breast milk. Mammals are known to adapt well to the environment and contribute immensely to maintaining balance in biodiversity.

• Fish: This is another important category specie. Just like the mammals, the fish are also vertebrate and there are over 34000 species of fish living in the aquatic space. Some of these species are prone to extinction and exploitation, which has made it difficult to discover some exquisite specie. The study of the science of fishes is referred to as ichthyology.

• Birds: They are warm-blooded animals with a four-chambered heart and the only group of animal with wings, while some birds can fly some are known to possess wings without the ability to fly. Some birds can run, jump swim and even dive, this shows how amazing this specie can become. They are on the most important vertebrates we have and they are about 9000 different bird species in the world.

• Amphibians: This is another category of vertebrate species and a cold-blooded animal. They possess double standards because they can live in water and on land. According to research these species are greatly endangered amongst other species we have in the world today. Not only are they threatened by human, their existence is also threatened by Climatic changes in the ecosystem.

• Reptiles: These creatures are known to be of different division while some possess four limbs some like snakes are known to crawl with their belly. The reptiles consist of four orders, which are Testudines (turtles), Crocodilia (crocodilians), Squamata (lizards and snakes), and Rhynchocephalia (the tuatara). There are about 12,000 reptiles currently found in the database.

This is a brief explanation on the various categories of animal species we have in the world. We must however not forget that we also have plant species, and it must be brought to our knowledge that there are also several categories of plant species in the world. However, research estimation discovers about 380,000 species with about 260,000 known for the production of seed.

Having understood the various categories of plant and animal species we have in the world today, what then are the causes of endangered Species?.

Causes of endangered species

• Loss of Habitat: It is safe to say that one of the cause of extinct species and their endangering is their loss of habitat, which occurred because of deforestation and over exploitation of resources found in the ecosystem by man, which happens to be what species depend on for food and survival.

• Climatic changes: Man causes sometimes but not all form of endangerment; even nature sometimes contributes to this factor. When the climate fluctuates, it leaves the specie no choice than to find means of survival, while some were able to migrate from that habitat some are unable to do the same therefore causing them to die off since it is the survival of the fittest. Sometimes climatic changes are also man induced because of the activities such as burning of fossil fuels and bush clearing.

• Disease: This is another causative agent. There are some disease that some of those species come in contact with, they get affected and therefore spread it to others and in so doing most of the species end up losing their lives and habitat.

• Pollution: This is also germane to species; some organisms are known to be sensitive to pollution. For instance when water becomes polluted it affects the fishes surrounding that water and so the fishes try to migrate to other parts of the water that is not infected however sometimes even the infected ones look for escape route and end up spreading the disease to the others.

These are some of the causes of endangered species, however, as lovers and custodians of nature, we are meant to understand this and look for different means to protect this species. Some of the global efforts that has been put in place to protect this endangered species will be looked into in the next section of this article.

Global efforts to protect endangered species

Different efforts are been taken by the government locally and internationally to stem and reduce the endangering of species and also look for several ways by which they can multiply those declining species. We shall look closely at some of those efforts and possibly after reading this article we can also look at other ways to increase or support their efforts. Restoration of natural habitats is one of the ways the government plan on reducing and protecting this species. This is by trying to recreate their natural environment. Most of the natural habitats of these species have either been cut down, turned to roads or industries which made them migrate and fall into the hands of poachers. However with the government trying to recreate this habitats that is by having green cities, it would save a lot of species from going into extinction. Some national parks and wildlife reserves has been put in place to safeguard and aid this movement and development. Another important step is reduction of carbon footprint that is thing such as burning of fossil fuels, emission of methane and other harmful gas to the atmosphere. All of this act contribute widely to the decline of species in the world because it poses a threat to their own natural habitat. As an individual we are also expected to support the conservation scheme both in kind and might, all of this gear towards having a sustainable environment and reduction of endangered species. This species are not only important because of the role they play in the ecosystem but are also important for the future generations to know about them. Sustainable characters such as reducing the eating of meat is also important. Well this might seem difficult for people but I guess it is high time we take some of these things into consideration if we want to make an effort in protecting this species. We need start growing native plants and nurturing the ones we have left, the act of cross hybrid/ cross breeding can also be practiced to save those plant and animal species from total extinction. The act of volunteering and also building of rehabilitation centres for these species are also global efforts at protecting these species.

In conclusion, it is very important for people to be given proper enlightenment on this topic and the benefits it has to the ecosystem. Some of the animals that have been saved from endangerment are Blue whale, Sea otter, Peregrine Falcon and so on. However more animals are still endangered such as Pangolin, African forest elephant, Gorilla, Drill Monkeys and so on. Efforts to protect these species are required and joint cooperation between the people and the government is needed to bring ultimate resolution.