Endangered Species in the Wild

Endangered animals are rapidly decreasing due to human population, climate changes and illegal poaching. Many of these animals are almost to the point of extinction. Once a species is gone, it is gone forever. In the Earth's history, species have naturally become extinct due to catastrophic disturbances, such as asteroids, which may have been to blame for the extinction of the dinosaurs. But in modern times, environmental factors, conflicts with humans and illegal trade are the biggest threats to their survival.

  1. African Elephants

    • Once numbering in the millions across Africa, elephants have fallen prey to poaching for their meat and ivory. By the mid-1980s, their population was greatly decreased. Habitat loss is another threat that elephants face. Elephants play an important role in Africa's rich biodiversity (wide range of animals and plants existing in the area). They are considered by scientists to be a key species because they help keep suitable habitats in existence for many other creatures in savanna and forest ecosystems. Elephants benefit their environment by influencing the density and composition of the forest and helping to broaden the surrounding landscape. In the tropical forests, elephants create gaps and clear areas that will encourage tree growth. In the savannas, they help grazing and browsing animals by reducing bush cover to create a favorable environment.

    Tigers

    • As the largest member of the cat family, tigers once numbered about 100,000 in the early 1900s . As of 2011, an estimated 3,000 to 4,500 exist in the wild. One threat facing the tigers is climate change, which continues to warm the planet and cause a rise in the ocean. Tiger's habitats are lost due to coastal erosion. As the oceans rise, naturally fresh water becomes highly concentrated with salt; it becomes increasingly difficult for the tigers to find fresh drinking water. Forced to move north, tigers encounter areas populated by humans, which increases the likelihood of encountering conflict. Poaching is another threat to tigers. Their pelts are very valuable on the black market. Their body parts are used in traditional Asian medicines. In the past 70 years, three tiger subspecies have become extinct; six subspecies remain and live only in Asia.

    Giant Pandas

    • Known as the "ambassador for all endangered species," giant pandas are easily recognized as an international symbol of wildlife conservation. As the rarest member of the bear family and one of the world's most threatened animals, pandas are sparse in the wild; an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 pandas are left. Loss of habitat is the most serious threat to pandas. Living mostly in China, they are confined to remote areas of the mountains because development, clearing and farmers have destroyed most of the lowlands. This encroachment forces the pandas upward into the mountain regions, reducing what is left of their habitat and making it difficult for them to find food. Pandas are capable of eating up to 45 pounds of bamboo a day. Any change in environment or climate that may hinder the growth of bamboo continues to remain a threat to their existence.

    Great Apes

    • Primates such as apes, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans are closely linked to us through similar DNA (possibly 97 percent) and are the closest living relatives to humans. Greatly decreasing in number, great apes face habitat loss, climate change, infectious disease and poaching. Found mainly in Central Africa (except orangutans), these apes face serious threats and some are critically endangered. In higher elevations, great apes are deeply affected by climate change, which alters their natural habitat. Illegal hunting for live pet trade and the bush meat trade have increasingly elevated this endangered species to the brink of total extinction.