Project of Environmental Studies

Project Name
ENDANGERED SPECIES

Submitted By:
Atish Apparao Nilakhe

Under the guidance of

Mrs.Mitchell

St.John’s College of Engineering&Technology,

Palghar(East)

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 ENDANGERED SPECIES

An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of

becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing
environmental or predation parameters. The International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) has calculated the percentage of endangered species as 40
percent of all organisms based on the sample of species that have been evaluated
through 2006. Only a few of the many species at risk of extinction actually make it
to the lists and obtain legal protection. Many more species become extinct, or
potentially will become extinct, without gaining public notice.

An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of

becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing
environmental or predation parameters. The International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) has calculated the percentage of endangered species as 40
percent of all organisms based on the sample of species that have been evaluated
through 2006.

Many nations have laws offering protection to conservation reliant species: for
example, forbidding hunting, restricting land development or creating preserves.

Only a few of the many species at risk of extinction actually make it to the lists and
obtain legal protection. Many more species become extinct, or potentially will
become extinct, without gaining public notice.

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The wildlife of India is varied and one of the richest wildlife of the world. The
wildlife of India is having the several endangered species that are living critically
in India that too in the verge of extinction. The species are endangered as due to
the reasons like: 
they are few in number they are threatened by the environmental and climatic
parameters

The endangered species of the Indian Wildlife are identified by the different
international organizations like World Wildlife Fund (WWF), International Union
for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Wildlife

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Institute of India (WII). There are many reasons that have been on the verge of
extinction in India. The reasons for it are:

1.the loss of the species in the biological entity

2.destabilization of an ecosystem
3.endangerment of other species
4.loss of irreplaceable genetic material and associated bio-chemicals

India is so varied and rich in the wildlife as it holds 400 species of mammals and
1200 species of birds. To go on the Wildlife Safari is the best way to explore the
natural flora and fauna of the Indian Wildlife Sanctuary. There are about 80
National Park and 400 Wildlife Sanctuaries. The National Parks in India are giving
their best support in the conservation of these endangered species such as Royal
Bengal Tigers, Indian Elephants, Indian Rhinos, Siberian Crane, leopards and
lions. The list of endangered species are categorized into certain categories like:
Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) and Threatened.
This classification of animals is done by the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Wildlife Institute of
India (WII) in the year 2004. 

There are many such unique variety of the animals that has been kept in the
National Parks and the Wildlife Sanctuaries. There are more than 350 species of
mammals that inhabit in the country. The species that ranges from Indian
Elephants, Indian Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tigers etc. As the endangered species
are classified into four categories and they are Critically Endangered, Endangered,
Vulnerable and Threatened. 

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The animals who are listed under the Critically Endangered are as under: 
Jenkin's Shrew
Malabar Large Spotted Civet
Namdapha Flying Squirrel
Pygmy Hog
Salim Ali's Fruit Bat
Sumatran Rhinoceros 
Wroughton's Free Tailed Bat

Species
According to official records, there are more than 130000 animal species in India.
According to some, the number may actually be much more than this. There has
been a threat to this natural treasure with the increasing destruction of their habitat
like the tropical forests and biosphere reserves. There are a number of causes
which lead to the endangerment of a particular species such as habitat destruction,
paucity of prey, overexploitation etc. The animal population has been declining by
every passing minute and we are likely to face grave consequences until we do not
react fast. Moreover, the plants and animals hold immense medicinal, agricultural,
ecological and commercial value. This is the time when the endangered species
must be protected so that our future generations are not deprived of experiencing
this valuable treasure. Some of the animals

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Asian Elephant-Loss of habitat and poaching have led to the near extinction of
this gentle giant and there are only about 15 to 20 thousand of these creatures left
in the wild. The Asian Elephant is mainly found in the terai region of Uttar
Pradesh, Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Karnataka. 

Leopard

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 There has been much said about saving the Tiger, but far less attention has been
paid to its dotted counterpart, which is equally threatened and their are only about
7500 leopards to be seen aroundin the Indian jungles. These are concentrated in
parts of central India and north east. 

Asiatic Lion-

Found in the Gir national park, on last count their are only about 352 of these
ferocious beasts left. Now is the time we should act and protect the Lion if we want
our children to see and admire this marvellous creature.

Snow-Leopard
The exotic looking creature is mostly seen in the upper reaches of the Himalayas.
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Poaching and paucity of prey have led to its near extinction, but thanks to
environmentalist who woke up to this threat and took immediate measures forthe
animal's survival. 
You can help protect the endangered species by doing whatever little you can.
Mentioned below are some of the things you should and should not do

 Make sure you obey the rules while visiting an animal sanctuary and never
pollute the environment.
 Join one of the local wildlife conservation organisations in your area.
 Plant trees and build a bird feeder in your backyard.
 Recycle stuff and try to use minimum non biodegradable material.

Some facts

 According to estimates, there are a total of one and a half million species on
the planet. However, the number could be 20 times more than this.
 More than 1000 animal species in the world are considered to be
endangered.
 More than 3500 protected areas exist in the world, which include national
parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other reserves.
 An endangered species is one which is low in number and is at an immediate
risk of becoming extinct. Such species need special protection for their
survival.

Conservation status
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The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that
endangered species not living. Many factors are taken into account when assessing
the conservation status of a species; not simply the number remaining, but the
overall increase or decrease in the population over time, breeding success rates,
known threats, and so on.

Internationally, 199 countries have signed an accord agreeing to create

Biodiversity Action Plans to protect endangered and other threatened species. In
the United States this plan is usually called a species Recovery Plan.

IUCN Red List Endangered species

IUCN Red List refers to a specific category of threatened species, and may include
critically endangered species. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species uses the term
endangered species as a specific category of imperilment, rather than as a general
term. Under the IUCN Categories and Criteria, endangered species is between
critically endangered and vulnerable. Also critically endangered species may also
be counted as endangered species and fill all the criteria

The more general term used by the IUCN for species at risk of extinction is
threatened species, which also includes the less-at-risk category of vulnerable
species together with endangered and critically endangered. IUCN categories
include:

1-Extinct: The last remaining member of the species has died, or is presumed
beyond reasonable doubt to have died. Examples: Javan Tiger, Thylacine, Dodo,
Passenger Pigeon, Caribbean Monk Seal, Dimetrodon, Aurochs, Dusky Seaside
Sparrow

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2-Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living,
natural population. Examples: Alagoas Curassow

3-Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the

immediate future. Examples: Mountain Gorilla, Arakan Forest Turtle, Darwin's
Fox, Javan Rhino, Brazilian Merganser, Gharial, Vaquita

4-Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future. Examples:
Dhole, Blue Whale, Bonobo, Ethiopian wolf, Giant Panda, Snow Leopard, African
Wild Dog, Tiger, Indian Rhinoceros, three species of Albatrosses, Crowned
Solitary Eagle, Philippine Eagle, Markhor, Orangutan, Grevy's zebra, Tasmanian
Devil,

5-Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term. Examples:

Cheetah, Gaur, Lion, Sloth Bear, Manatee, Polar Bear, African Golden Cat,
Komodo dragon, Golden hamster

6-Conservation dependent: The following animals are not severely threatened, but
must depend on conservation programs. Examples: Spotted Hyena, Blanford's fox,
Leopard Shark, Black Caiman, Killer whale

7-Near threatened: may be considered threatened in the near future. Examples:

Blue-billed Duck, Solitary Eagle, Small-clawed Otter, Maned Wolf, Tiger Shark,
Okapi

8-Least concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the species. Examples:

Nootka Cypress, Wood Pigeon, White-tailed Mongoose, House Mouse, Wolverine

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 Causes of Endangerment

When discussing the causes of endangerment, it is important to understand that

individual species are not the only factors involved in this dilemma. Endangerment
is a broad issue, one that involves the habitats and environments where species live
and interact with one another. Although some measures are being taken to help
specific cases of endangerment, the universal problem cannot be solved until
humans protect the natural environments where endangered species dwell.

There are many reasons why a particular species may become endangered.
Although these factors can be analyzed and grouped, there are many causes that
appear repeatedly. Below are several factors leading to endangerment:

1-Habitat Destruction

Our planet is continually changing, causing habitats to be altered and modified.

Natural changes tend to occur at a gradual pace, usually causing only a slight
impact on individual species. However, when changes occur at a fast pace, there is
little or no time for individual species to react and adjust to new circumstances.
This can create disastrous results, and for this reason, rapid habitat loss is the
primary cause of species endangerment. The strongest forces in rapid habitat loss
are human beings. Nearly every region of the earth has been affected by human
activity, particularly during this past century. The loss of microbes in soils that
formerly supported tropical forests, the extinction of fish and various aquatic
species in polluted habitats, and changes in global climate brought about by the
release of greenhouse gases are all results of human activity.

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It can be difficult for an individual to recognize the effects that humans have had
on specific species. It is hard to identify or predict human effects on individual
species and habitats, especially during a human lifetime. But it is quite apparent
that human activity has greatly contributed to species endangerment. For example,
although tropical forests may look as though they are lush, they are actually highly
susceptible to destruction. This is because the soils in which they grow are lacking
in nutrients. It may take Centuries to re-grow a forest that was cut down by humans
or destroyed by fire, and many of the world's severely threatened animals and
plants live in these forests. If the current rate of forest loss continues, huge
quantities of plant and animal species will disappear.

2-DISEASE

By our definition, diseases occur naturally. We are not talking about diseases that
animals get because of pesticides or pollution. It is a part of nature that animals get
diseases. But sometimes humans introduce diseases and problems into a species.
The most publicized example is DDT. An insecticide that was used all over the
U.S., it was found in water & soil and eventually worked its way up the food chain
from small water feeders to the fish who ate the plant life in the water and the
animals and humans who ate the fish! When DDT was left into the water it
eventually broke down and became DDE. These toxic substances (along with
others like PCB's) caused eagles and peregrine falcons to produce eggs that had
shells so thin that they broke just from the mother sitting on them.

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3-COMPETITION FROM OTHER SPECIE

Sometimes there are just too many animals living in an area that compete for the
space, water and food that is found there. For example, in NJ, a large population of
raccoons (which turned out to have a parasitic disease) threatened the last
remaining population of woodrats in NJ.

4- Introduction of Exotic Species

Native species are those plants and animals that are part of a specific geographic
area, and have ordinarily been a part of that particular biological landscape for a
lengthy period of time. They are well adapted to their local environment and are
accustomed to the presence of other native species within the same general habitat.
Exotic species, however, are interlopers. These species are introduced into new
environments by way of human activities, either intentionally or accidentally.
These interlopers are viewed by the native species as foreign elements. They may
cause no obvious problems and may eventual be considered as natural as any
native species in the habitat. However, exotic species may also seriously disrupt
delicate ecological balances and may produce a plethora of unintended yet harmful
consequences.

The worst of these unintended yet harmful consequences arise when introduced
exotic species put native species in jeopardy by preying on them. This can alter the
natural habitat and can cause a greater competition for food. Species have been
biologically introduced to environments all over the world, and the most
destructive effects have occurred on islands. Introduced insects, rats, pigs, cats, and

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other foreign species have actually caused the endangerment and extinction of
hundreds of species during the past five centuries. Exotic species are certainly a
factor leading to endangerment.

5-Overexploitation

A species that faces overexploitation is one that may become severely endangered
or even extinct due to the rate in which the species is being used. Unrestricted
whaling during the 20th century is an example of overexploitation, and the whaling
industry brought many species of whales to extremely low population sizes. When
several whale species were nearly extinct, a number of nations (including the
United States) agreed to abide by an international moratorium on whaling. Due to
this moratorium, some whale species, such as the grey whale, have made
remarkable comebacks, while others remain threatened or endangered.

Due to the trade in animal parts, many species continue to suffer high rates of
exploitation. Even today, there are demands for items such as rhino horns and tiger
bones in several areas of Asia. It is here that there exists a strong market for
traditional medicines made from these animal parts.

6-More Factors

Disease, pollution, and limited distribution are more factors that threaten various
plant and animal species. If a species does not have the natural genetic protection
against particular pathogens, an introduced disease can have severe effects on that
specie. For example, rabies and canine distemper viruses are presently destroying
carnivore populations in East Africa. Domestic animals often transmit the diseases
that affect wild populations, demonstrating again how human activities lie at the

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root of most causes of endangerment. Pollution has seriously affected multiple
terrestrial and aquatic species, and limited distributions are frequently a
consequence of other threats; populations confined to few small areas due to of
habitat loss, for example, may be disastrously affected by random factors.

Why Save Endangered Species?

Plants and animals hold medicinal, agricultural, ecological, commercial and

aesthetic/recreational value. Endangered species must be protected and saved so
that future generations can experience their presence and value.

1-Medicinal

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Plants and animals are responsible for a variety of useful medications. In fact,
about forty percent of all prescriptions written today are composed from the natural
compounds of different species. These species not only save lives, but they
contribute to a prospering pharmaceutical industry worth over $40 billion annually.
Unfortunately, only 5% of known plant species have been screened for their
medicinal values, although we continue to lose up to 100 species daily.

The Pacific yew, a slow-growing tree found in the ancient forests of the Pacific
Northwest, was historically considered a "trash" tree (it was burned after
clearcutting). However, a substance in its bark taxol was recently identified as one
of the most promising treatments for ovarian and breast cancer.

Additionally, more than 3 million American heart disease sufferers would perish
within 72 hours of a heart attack without digitalis, a drug derived from the purple
foxglove.

2-Agricultural

There are an estimated 80,000 edible plants in the world. Humans depend upon
only 20 species of these plants, such as wheat and corn, to provide 90% of the
world's food. Wild relatives of these common crops contain essential disease-
resistant material. They also provide humans with the means to develop new crops
that can grow in inadequate lands such as in poor soils or drought-stricken areas to
help solve the world hunger problem. In the 1970s, genetic material from a wild
corn species in Mexico was used to stop a leaf fungus that had previously wiped
out 15% of the U.S. corn crop.

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3-Ecological

Plant and animal species are the foundation of healthy ecosystems. Humans
depend on ecosystems such as coastal estuaries, prairie grasslands, and ancient
forests to purify their air, clean their water, and supply them with food. When
species become endangered, it is an indicator that the health of these vital
ecosystems is beginning to unravel. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates
that losing one plant species can trigger the loss of up to 30 other insect, plant and
higher animal species.

The northern spotted owl, listed as threatened in 1990, is an indicator of the

declining health of the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest. These forests are
the home to over 100 other old-growth dependent species, which are at risk due to
decades of unsustainable forest management practices.

Pollution off the coast of Florida is killing the coral reefs along the Florida Keys,
which serve as habitat for hundreds of species of fish. Commercial fish species
have begun to decline, causing a threat to the multi-million dollar tourism industry,
which depends on the quality of the environment.

4-Aesthetic/Recreational

Plant and animal species and their ecosystems form the basis of America’s multi-
billion dollar, job-intensive tourism industry. They also supply recreational,
spiritual, and quality-of-life values as well.

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Each year over 108 million people in the United States participate in wildlife-
related recreation including observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife.
Americans spend over $59 billion annually on travel, lodging, equipment, and food
to engage in non-consumptive wildlife recreation. Our national heritage of
biological diversity is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource. Our quality of life
and that of future generations depends on our preservation of plant and animal
species.

Species maintaining importance

“Diversity of life and living systems are a necessary condition for human
development” (Ishwaran & Erdelen, 2006, p. 179). Many question the importance
of maintaining biodiversity in today’s world, where conservation efforts prove
costly and time consuming. Species should be saved for “aesthetic and moral
justifications; the importance of wild species as providers of products and services
essential to human welfare; the value of particular species as indicators of
environmental health or as keystone species crucial to the functioning of
ecosystems; and the scientific breakthroughs that have come from the study of wild
organisms” (Wilcove & Master, 2008, p. 418). In other words, species serve as a
source of art and entertainment, provide products such as medicine for human
well-being, indicate the welfare of the overall environment and ecosystem, and
provided research that resulted in scientific discoveries. An example of an
“aesthetic justification” in conserving endangered species is that of the
introduction of the gray wolf into Yellowstone National Park. The gray wolf has
brought numerous amounts of tourists to the park and added to the biodiversity in
the protected region (Wilcove & Master, 2008, p. 418).
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Another example, supporting the conservation of endangered species as providers
of products for human well-being, is the scrub mint. It has been found that the
scrub mint contains an anti-fungal agent and a natural insecticide (Wilcove &
Master, 2008, p. 418). Also, the deterioration of the bald eagle and the peregrine
falcon “alerted people to the potential health hazards associated with the
widespread spraying of DDT and other persistent pesticides” (Wilcove & Master,
2008, p. 418).

This serves as an example of how certain fish can serve as identifiers of

environmental health and protect human life as well as other species. Finally, an
example of species providing for scientific discoveries is the instance of the Pacific
yew which “became the source of taxol, one of the most potent anticancer
compounds ever discovered” (Wilcove & Master, 2008, p. 418-419). Endangered
species could prove useful to human development, maintenance of biodiversity and
preservation of ecosystems.

Another approach is known as ecosystem conservation, where a focus is placed

less on preserving any individual given species than on preserving the proper
functioning of the ecosystem as a whole.

Helping preserve endangered species

It is the goal of conservationists to create and expand upon ways to preserve

endangered species and maintain biodiversity. There are several ways in which one
can aid in preserving the world’s species who are nearing extinction. One such way

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is obtaining more information on different groups of species, especially
invertebrates, fungi, and marine organisms, where sufficient data is lacking.

For example, to understand the causes of population declines and extinction an

experiment was conducted on the butterfly population in Finland. In this analysis,
the butterflies’ endangered list classification, distribution, density, larval
specificity, dispersal ability, adult habitat breadth, flight period and body size were
all recorded and examined to determine the threatened state of each species. It was
found that the butterflies’ distribution has declined by fifty-one and a half percent,
and they have a severely restricted habitat. One example of specific butterflies who
have a declining distribution rate are the Frigga’s Fritillary and Grizzled Skipper,
who have been affected by habitat loss due to extensive draining of the bogs where
they live (Kotiaho et al., 2005, p. 1963–1967). This experiment shows that when
we know the causes of endangerment, we can successfully create solutions for the
management of biodiversity.

Another way to help preserve endangered species is to create a new professional

society dedicated to ecological ethics. This could help ecologists make ethical
decisions in their research and management of biodiversity. Also, creating more
awareness on environmental ethics can help encourage species preservation.
“Courses in ethics for students, and training programs for ecologists and
biodiversity managers” all could create environmental awareness and prevent
violations of ethics in research and management (Minteer & Collins, 2005, p. 336).
One final way in which one can conserve endangered species is through federal
agency investments and protection enacted by the federal government. “Ecologists
have proposed biological corridors, biosphere reserves, ecosystem management,
and ecoregional planning as approaches to integrate biodiversity conservation and

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socioeconomic development at increasingly larger spatial scales” (Ishwaran &
Erdelen, 2006, p. 179).

One example of a federal mandated conservation zone is the Northwest Hawaiian

Islands Marine National Monument, the largest marine protected area in the world.
The monument is essential to the preservation of underwater communities and
overfished regions. Only researchers working in the area are permitted to fish, no
corals may be removed, and the Department of Homeland Security will enforce
restrictions on vessels passing through the waters via satellite imaging. The
monument will serve as a home to an estimated seven thousand species, most of
which cannot be found anywhere else in the world (Raloff, 2006, p. 92). This
environmental monument demonstrates the fact that it is possible to create a safe
environment for endangered species, as well as maintaining some of the world’s
largest ecosystems.

Ways to Conserve Animal Species

1-Conserve Habitats

One of the most important ways to help threatened plants and animals survive is to
protect their habitats permanently in national parks, nature reserves or wilderness
areas. There they can live without too much interference from humans. It is also
important to protect habitats outside reserves such as on farms and along roadsides.

You can visit a nearby national park or nature reserve. Some national parks have
special guided tours and walks for kids. Talk to the rangers to find out whether

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there are any threatened species and how they are being protected. You and your
friends might be able to help the rangers in their conservation work.

When you visit a national park, make sure you obey the wildlife code: follow fire
regulations; leave your pets at home; leave flowers, birds’ eggs, logs and bush
rocks where you find them; put your rubbish in a bin or, better still, take it home.

If you have friends who live on farms, encourage them to keep patches of bush as
wildlife habitats and to leave old trees standing, especially those with hollows
suitable for nesting animals.

Some areas have groups which look after local lands and nature reserves. They do
this by removing weeds and planting local native species in their place. You could
join one of these groups, or even start a new one with your parents and friends.
Ask your local parks authority or council for information.

By removing rubbish and weeds and replanting with natives you will allow the
native bush to gradually regenerate. This will also encourage native animals to
return.

2-Make Space For Our Wildlife

Build a birdfeeder and establish a birdbath for the neighborhood birds.

Plant a tree and build a birdhouse in your backyard.

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Start composting in your backyard garden or on your balcony. It eliminates the
need for chemical fertilizers which are harmful to animals and humans, and it
benefits your plants!

Ask your parents not to use harmful chemicals in your garden or home.

3-Recycle, Reduce, And Reuse

Encourage your family to take public transportation. Walk or ride bicycles rather
than using the car.

Save energy by turning off lights, radios and the TV when you are not using them.

Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth and use water-saving devices on your
toilet, taps and showerhead.

Ask your parents to buy products and food without packaging whenever possible.
Take your own bag to the store. It will reduce the amount of garbage and waste
your family produces.

Recycle your toys, books and games by donating them to a hospital, daycare,
nursery school or children's charity.

Encourage your family to shop for organic fruits and vegetables.

Plant Native Plants That Are Local To The Area

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If you can, plant native plants instead of non-native or introduced ones in your
garden. You don’t want seeds from introduced plants escaping into the bush.
Native grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees are more likely to attract native birds,
butterflies and other insects, and maybe even some threatened species.

4-Control Introduced Plants And Animals

Non-native plants and animals are ones that come from outside your local area.

Some parks and reserves, beaches, bush-land and rivers are now infested with
invasive plants, and native species often cannot compete with these plants.

Many environmental weeds come from people’s gardens.

Sometimes, the seeds are taken into the bush by the wind or by birds.

Controlling these foreign species is an important step in protecting wildlife

5-Join An Organization

There are many community groups working on conservation activities. Join an

organization in your area and start helping today!

6-Make Your Voice Heard

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State and territory government conservation agencies are responsible for the
management of national parks and the protection of wildlife. They are sometimes
supported by public foundations.

Tell your family, friends and work mates about threatened species and how they
can help them.

Start a group dedicated to protecting a threatened plant or animal in your area or

perhaps to help care for a national park.

Write articles or letters about threatened species to newspapers.

Ring up talk-back radio programs to air your concerns, or arrange to talk on your
community radio station.

Legal private farming for profit

Whereas poaching causes substantial reductions in endangered animal populations,

legal private farming for profit has the opposite effect. Legal private farming has
caused substantial increases in the populations of both the southern black
rhinoceros and the southern white rhinoceros. Dr Richard Emslie, a scientific
officer at the IUCN, said of such programs, "Effective law enforcement has
become much easier now that the animals are largely privately owned... We have
been able to bring local communities into the conservation programmes. There are

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increasingly strong economic incentives attached to looking after rhinos rather than
simply poaching: from eco-tourism or selling them on for a profit. So many owners
are keeping them secure. The private sector has been key to helping our work."[14]

Conservation experts view the effect of China's turtle farming on the wild turtle
populations of China and South-Eastern Asia - many of which are endangered - as
"poorly understood".[15] While they commend the gradual replacement of wild-
caught turtles with farm-raised ones gradually in the marketplace ( the percentage
of farm-raised individuals in the "visible" trade growing from around 30% in 2000
to around 70% ca. 2007),[16] they are concerned with the fact that a lot of wild
animals are caught to provide farmers with the breeding stock. As the conservation
expert Peter Paul van Dijk noted, turtle farmers often believe in the superiority of
wild-caught animals as the breeding stock, which may create an incentive for turtle
hunters to seek and catch the very last remaining wild specimens of some
endangered turtle species.[16]

In 2009, researchers in Australia managed for the first time to coax southern
bluefin tuna to breed in landlocked tanks, opening up the possibility of using fish
farming as a way to save the species from the problems of overfishing in the wild.

THE PLIGHT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

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There are now 41,415 species on the IUCN Red List and 16,306 of them are
threatened with extinction, up from 16,118 last year. This includes both
endangered animals and endangered plants.

One in four mammals, one in eight birds, one third of all amphibians and 70% of
the world’s assessed plants on the 2007 IUCN Red List are in jeopardy. The total
number of extinct species has reached 785 and a further 65 are only found in
captivity or in cultivation. In the last 500 years, human activity has forced over 800
species into extinction.

For every species that is alive today, perhaps a thousand more have lived
previously and become extinct. Most of these extinctions occurred before humans
evolved, and the species are known to us only through fossils. Extinctions are a
natural part of evolutionary processes, but through most of the history of life on
Earth, biological diversity has been increasing.

Periodically, however, major changes in the conditions on Earth have caused the
collapse of living systems, and large percentages of species a have become extinct.
These species will never return. It takes millions of years for life forms to diversify
again.

The current extinction crisis is unique, in that the loss of biodiversity is occurring
very rapidly, and the causes of the crisis are the activities of a single species:
human beings. Some scientists believe the current crisis began when humans and
their domestic animals first began to colonize the various parts of the globe.

Others believe it began around 1600, when human population growth exploded,
and the level of per capita resource consumption began to rise dramatically in some
parts of the world.

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 Of the species that are best known, the so-called "higher animals," more than one
percent have become extinct in the last 400 years and the overwhelming majority
of these extinctions are anthropogenic. Many more species are in danger of
becoming extinct if we do not act quickly to conserve them.

Conclusion:
"This we know: the earth does not belong to man,

man belongs to the earth. All things are connected

like the blood that unites us all

Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it

Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

Source:

www.wikipedia.com

www.endangeredspecies.org

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www.indianwildspecies.org

www.incredibleindia.com

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