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10 Easy Things You Can Do to Save Endangered Species - Endangered Species Coalition

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1. Learn about endangered species in your area. Teach your friends and family about the wonderful wildlife, birds, fish and plants that live near you. The first step to protecting endangered species is learning about how interesting and important they…

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Humans are largely responsible when animals become extinct, endangered or threatened. Here are some reasons why animals become endangered:

Destruction of Habitat

Humans destroy precious habitat--the natural environment of a living thing--when they fill swamps and marshes, dam rivers and cut down trees to build homes, roads and other developments.

Pollution

Oil spills, acid rain and water pollution have been devastating for many species of fish and birds.

Hunting and Fishing

Many animals are over-hunted because their meat, fur and other parts are very valuable.

Exotic Species

When animals or plants arrive into a new habitat from a foreign place they sometimes introduce diseases that the native species can't fight. These "exotic" species can also prey on the native species.

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Humans are largely responsible when animals become extinct, endangered or threatened. Here are some reasons why animals become endangered: Humans destroy precious habitat--the natural environment of a living thing--when they fill swamps and marshes, dam rivers and cut down trees to build homes, roads and other developments.

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Have you ever seen a rhino at the zoo? How about polar bears? For many people, sea turtles are the big draw. Did you know these animals are all endangered species?

You may have heard about giant pandas being endangered. You may even know that bald eagles are on the list. However, there are thousands of other endangered species. And they're not all animals! Many endangered species are plants.

How does a species become endangered? It has to do with risk of extinction . Extinction is when no more members of a species are alive. You probably know about dinosaurs. They're one example of animals that are extinct.

When a species is at risk of becoming extinct, experts call them either "threatened" or "endangered." A species is threatened when its population has dropped 30-50 percent. When a species is endangered, its population has dropped 50-70 percent. A species is also endangered if there are fewer than 250 remaining.

Species can become endangered because of many factors. Often, they're hurt by changing environments or predators. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps track of endangered species. As of 2019, the IUCN has studied over 96,500 species. Of those, around 28,000 are threatened. 7,755 are endangered.

Many countries have passed laws to help endangered species. Some laws ban hunting. Others land development. They also make special places for habitats. But experts believe very few threatened species benefit from these laws. Many more species face the of extinction without the public taking notice.

Any person can ask the government to list a species as endangered. However, it can take more than two years to get the species listed. Some believe that governments make it too hard for a species to be added to the endangered list.

For a species to be listed as endangered, experts must determine its conservation . That's the measure of the chance of extinction . To find this, experts must look at many factors. They need to know how many members of the species are living. They also need to find out how much the population has dropped over time. Other factors are the breeding rate and any threats to the species. With all of this information, experts can decide whether the species is endangered.

Despite these challenges, progress has been made. More than 196 countries around the world have agreed to make plans to protect endangered species. In the United States, these plans are made using guidelines from the Endangered Species Act. Overall, this act is seen by wildlife experts as helpful. As of 2019, 50 species have been taken off the list due to recovery.

What can you do to help endangered species? The best thing you can do is learn more about the problem. Then, share information with those around you. You can also work to keep habitats safe. You can recycle, water, and reduce your carbon footprint. Don't ignore endangered species-they need your help!

NGSS.LS4.C, NGSS.LS4.D, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.W.3, CCRA.L.1, CCRA.L.2

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Have you ever seen a rhino at the zoo? How about polar bears? For many people, sea turtles are the big draw. Did you know these animals are all endangered species? You may have heard about giant pandas being endangered. You may even know that bald eagles are on the list.

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The Status of Tigers in the Wild

Of the original nine subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct in the last 80 years; an average of one every 20 years. It has been predicted all tigers may become extinct in the wild within the next decade. Poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation have reduced the global population of tigers from over 100,000 in the 1900′s, to less than 4,000 in the 1970′s.

Today, four of the remaining subspecies of tigers are considered endangered by the IUCN, while two of the subspecies are considered "critically" endangered. The total number of all the wild populations of the six remaining subspecies of tigers (Bengal, Indochinese, Malayan, Siberian, South China, and Sumatran) is estimated to be between 3,000 - 3,600 tigers.

Remaining Tiger Subspecies:

Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris): are the most numerous tiger subspecies with its remaining wild populations estimated at around 2,500. The Bengal tiger roams a wide range of habitats including high altitudes, tropical and subtropical rainforests, mangroves, and grasslands. They are primarily found in parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Bengal tigers are sometimes called Indian tigers and account for over half of all tigers remaining in the wild. Poaching for tiger parts is their major threat. The Bengal tiger is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

Indochinese tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti): are located in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. The population of this subspecies had fallen by more than 70 percent in slightly more than a decade, and the total population of Indochinese tigers is estimated at fewer than 300 individuals. However, due to restricted access to areas where the Indochinese tiger lives, little is known about their population status. Human development, such as road construction is fragmenting habitats. And decades of poaching has also contributed to their rapid decline. The Indochinese tiger is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

Malayan tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni): are found only on the Malay Peninsula and in the southern tip of Thailand. They were recently recognized as a new subspecies closely related to -but being genetically distinct- from the Indochinese tiger. Habitat fragmentation due to development projects and agriculture, along with commercial poaching are serious threats to the remaining 500 Malayan tigers. In Malaysia there is a very active market for tiger meat and manufactured tiger bone medicines. The Malayan tiger is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

Siberian tigers or Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica): are found mainly in the Sikhote Alin mountain region and the southwest Primorye province in the Russian Far East. It is estimated there are around 300 Siberian tigers in this region with small pockets of Siberian tigers in China and North Korea. The primary threats to the survival of Siberian tigers are poaching and habitat loss from intensive logging and development. The Siberian Tiger is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

South China tigers (Panthera tigris amoyensis): are the smallest of all the tiger subspecies; it is also the most critically endangered. Little is known about their exact numbers in the wild, but some estimates would put the number at under 20 tigers. Others would say that estimate is high and that the South China tiger is extinct in the wild. The reality is that no South China tiger has been seen in the wild for the last 20 years. The South China tiger was native to the provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi in southern China. However now, the less than 100 South China tigers that remain on the face of the earth, are found only in Chinese zoos. The South China tiger is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae): are found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra off the Malaysian Peninsula. Their habitat ranges from lowland forest to mountain forest and includes evergreen, swamp and tropical rain forests. It is estimated that only between 500-600 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild, and the actual number may be as low as 400. The major threats to Sumatran tigers are habitat loss due to expansion of palm oil plantations, the planting of acacia plantations and illegal trade for tiger parts and products. The Sumatran tiger is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Extinct Tiger Subspecies:

The Bali tiger (Panthera tigris balica): is an extinct subspecies of tiger which was found solely on the Indonesian island of Bali. It was one of three subspecies of tigers found in Indonesia, together with the Javan tiger, which is also extinct, and the critically endangered Sumatran tiger. It was the smallest of the tiger subspecies. Bali tigers were last positively recorded from western Bali in the late 1930s. The Bali Barat National Park was established in 1941 in tiger habitat, but it is likely that Bali tiger became extinct by the end of World War II or possibly as late as the early 1950s. The causes of extinction include hunting and loss of forest habitat and prey base. There are no Bali tigers in captivity.

The Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata): is an extinct tiger subspecies with the last records in the wild dating to the early 1970s. The Caspian tiger is also known as the Hyrcanian tiger, the Mazandaran tiger, the Persian tiger and the Turanian tiger. Caspian Tigers were found in the sparse forest habitats and riverine corridors west (Turkey) and south (Iran) of the Caspian Sea and west through Central Asia into the Takla Makan desert of Xinjiang, China. Its extinction can be attributed to hunting of tigers and their prey, habitat loss and conversion, and increased vulnerability of small populations. The last Caspian tiger was seen in the early 1970s, and there are none in captivity.

The Javan tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica): is an extinct tiger subspecies that inhabited the Indonesian island of Java until the mid-1970s. Javan tigers were last positively recorded from Java's Meru Betiri National Park in 1976. They likely disappeared from much of the rest of the island -outside the park boundries- by the 1940s. It is estimated that only 20-25 Javan tigers remained on Java by the mid-1950s. The causes of the Bali tiger's extinction include hunting of the tiger, along with loss of forest habitat (destroyed for agriculture uses) and the demise of the tigers prey base. There are no Javan tigers in captivity.

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Of the original nine subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct in the last 80 years; an average of one every 20 years. It has been predicted all tigers may become extinct in the wild within the next decade.

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What Is an Endangered Animal?

An endangered animal is at risk of becoming extinct or t risk of no longer being in existence. Dinosaurs are the largest group of animals to have ever become extinct. Other creatures to have become extinct are dodo birds, mammoths, and saber-toothed cats.

Endangerment of animals is occurring at an alarming rate due to environmental changes, the destruction of habitat, the shortage of food supply, and being hunted. Many of these causes are preventable through education about the dangers of their habits.

Unfortunately, many animal habitats have turned into places such as a subdivision or mall, where humans use. Other animals are being hunted by humans seeking money, not considering the long-term effects of their actions.

Fortunately, many laws are being enforced to help prevent the complete extinction of many species. As with any law, there are people known as poachers who ignore them and will still kill animals for either their fur or meat. Here are some beautiful animals at risk of becoming extinct and ways to help preserve the land they call home.

Siberian Tiger

Many Tigers Are Endangered Animals

Three kinds of the nine different types of tigers are endangered animals.The Siberian Tiger is one that scientists are very concerned about because it may become extinct in the immediate future due to its few numbers left in the wild. There are so few that they classify as critically endangered. There is only one type of tiger that is more endangered than the Siberian Tiger, the South China Tiger.

According to china.org, the South China Tiger is one of the ten most endangered animals worldwide. There are believed to be only fifty-nine South China Tigers alive, and none live in their original habitat, which means they are extinct in the wild.

Bengal Tigers are another endangered animal, but unlike the South China Tiger, they still live in the wild. They believe that there are less than two thousand. That is fewer tigers than people who live in most cities.

Elephants Are Endangered Animals.

There are two kinds of elephants: the African elephant and the Asian elephant, both endangered. There are believed to be around five-hundred-thousand African elephants in the wild, which may sound like a lot, but only twenty-five years ago, there were more than one million. The numbers are decreasing very quickly. That means in twenty-five years, half the elephants that lived have died.

Asian elephants are even more endangered than African elephants. There are less than 50,000 alive, which is only a tenth of the number of African elephants, due to the decreasing habitat and poachers.

Leatherback Sea Turtle

The Leatherback Sea Turtle

The leatherback sea turtle is the world's most giant turtle and the most endangered. It became endangered because humans have taken their eggs as keepsakes. Many people find it neat to find a turtle egg on the beach. Not realizing the consequence, they pick it up. Their ignorance is killing off an entire species. If you see eggs on the beach, feel free to take a picture, but leave the eggs alone.

Another reason they are dying is that turtles mistake plastic items for food. That is why it is essential never to litter. Plastic can get into the ocean. When animals see something floating, they often assume it is an animal they can eat. This has the potential of poisoning, choking, or causing blockages in their intestines. Although both are real dangers, their decreasing numbers are primarily due to the loss of beaches where they can inhabit. The more beaches we humans have to swim on, the less there are for other creatures to live.

Snow Leopards

Leopards

There are at least nine different subspecies of leopards. Many of these are endangered, the most endangered being the Amur leopards. There are only forty left on this Earth. They live in the same area as the Siberian tiger, which has also been affected by the decreasing habitat.

Because leopards are some of the most beautiful animals, with beautiful fur, people used to hunt them, which is the primary reason for the limited number left today. The number of Amur leopards left has decreased significantly; it has reduced the odds of the ones left becoming pregnant, causing their population to decrease substantially.

The snow leopard is another endangered leopard. There are around five thousand snow leopards left on this Earth in the wild. A big problem for the snow leopard is that the animals they prey on are decreasing. As their food falls, so do the number of surviving snow leopards.

What Can You Do To Help Endangered Animals

The biggest thing we can do to help endangered animals is to take care of our world. Maybe tigers and leopards don't live where you do, but many animals do. They need protection, just like other animals do. There are many ways to protect animals by taking care of our environment.

Recycle: We need to make sure that we recycle plastic, tin, and paper so that we don't use our world's natural resources. Every time paper is made or a bottle is made, resources from our Earth are used. Some of these resources are found where animals live, and to get to them, we need to disrupt their habitat. By making sure we reduce, reuse, recycle, we allow places where endangered animals live to be protected from being destroyed.

Reduce: By reducing what you use, you can also protect our Earth. One way to do this is, instead of writing on one side of a paper, write on both sides. Also, when you leave a room, reduce the energy you are using by turning off the lights.

Reuse: We should also choose items that can be reused, like a reusable water bottle, rather than prepackaged water bottles. Using reusable containers for our water rather than buying bottled water prevents many of our resources from being used up. Another example uses a towel rather than paper towels.

Plant a Tree: Many animals use trees for shelter, protection, or food. All big trees began as small trees. The only way to ensure there will be big trees in the future is if there are small trees today. You can achieve this by planting trees in your neighborhood.

Join an Adopt An Animal Program: There are many endangered animals in this world; there are also a lot of organizations that help these animals. Many of these organizations allow you to adopt an animal. They won't come to live with you, but you will receive a picture and information on your animal and occasional updates. It does cost money, so you'll have to discuss this with your parents, but they will use that money to find better habitats for that animal and fund research for ways to help that animal thrive in the wild. Worldwildlife.org is one place where you can find animals to adopt.

Be creative; there are hundreds of ways that you can protect our Earth. Feel free to share some of your ideas.

Citations

Chundawat, R. S., Khan, J. A., Mallon, D. P. (2011). "Panthera tigris tigris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/136899.

Mosbacker, Linda. http://www.uen.org/utahlink/activities/view_activity.cgi?activity_id=3819.

http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/ten-most-endangered-animals.

Questions & Answers

Question: What are endangered animals?

Answer: There are seven different stages of concern for animals. Beginning with those considered "least concern" and ending with "extinct" The other stages go in order from:

1. LC - least concern

2. NT - near threatened

3. VU - vulnerable

4. EN - endangered

5. CE - critically endangered

6. EW - extinct in the wild

7. EX - extinct

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Children's Information on Endangered Animals

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An endangered animal is at risk of becoming extinct or t risk of no longer being in existence. Dinosaurs are the largest group of animals to have ever become extinct. Other creatures to have become extinct are dodo birds, mammoths, and saber-toothed cats.

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Newsela | Endangered Species: The polar bear

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Polar bears live in the Arctic and are in danger of losing their homes as global warming melts more ice.

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Newsela | Endangered Species: The cheetah

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The world's fastest land animal can change direction easily and likes to chase down its prey.

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Newsela | Endangered Species: The chimpanzee

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Chimpanzees are great apes that are close relatives of humans. Chimps are in danger of dying out because of loss of habitat, hunting and disease.

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The okapi is an endangered African animal that looks like a cross between a giraffe, a zebra and a deer.