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The recovery of large whales is key to combating climate change and saving our own future. Emerging research demonstrates that whales act as ecosystem engineers and provide the much needed nutrients to phytoplankton, tiny ocean plants that create least 50% of our oxygen, annually sequester hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon, and provide a base for the marine food web leading to abundant fish stocks. We need right whales to survive- our future depends on it.

In response to a changing climate, human use of their habitat, or perhaps both, right whales have changed their habitat patterns since 2010 which has increased their risk of entanglements and vessel strikes.

Female right whales aren't living as long as males, leaving fewer mature females to bear calves and add to the population number and long-term survival of the species.

Extinction from current threats is predicted within 25 years at this rate.

WDC remains active in a number of stakeholder groups working to increase protections for right whales. We will continue to work with industry members to develop more sustainable fishing practices that don't risk entangling right whales. We will continue to ensure legislators consider impacts to right whales when proposing any changes in their ocean homes. Through public education, we will reach as many people as possible- boaters on the water, students, families, and the general public- to share the plight of North Atlantic right whales.

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Saving the endangered North Atlantic right whale - Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA

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The recovery of large whales is key to combating climate change and saving our own future. Emerging research demonstrates that whales act as ecosystem engineers and provide the much needed nutrients to phytoplankton, tiny ocean plants that create least 50% of our oxygen, annually sequester hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon, and provide a base for the marine food web leading to abundant fish stocks.

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Animal extinctions may be caused by natural occurrences such as climatic heating or cooling or changes in sea levels. In more modern times, however, human activity has been to blame. Habitat destruction as farming land expands and forests are cut-down is the main cause of modern extinctions, along with pollution, the introduction of alien species, and over fishing or hunting. Increasingly, however, climate change is thought to be driving extinctions.

Here are 10 incredible animals that are now extinct. Read on to find out what happened.

10. West African Black Rhinoceros

The West African Black Rhinoceros was found in several countries towards the southeast region of Africa. Measuring 3-3.8 metres long and 1.4-1.7 metres in height, this rhino would have weighed 800-1,300 kg. It had two horns, one measuring 0.5-1.3 metres and the other between 2-55cm. Their diet included leafy plants and shoots. Some believe their horns had medicinal properties - though this had no grounding in scientific fact - which lead to heavy poaching. In the 1930's preservation action was taken to protect the species, but the numbers continued to decline. The last West African Black Rhino was seen in Cameroon in 2006. It was declared officially extinct in 2011.
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Picture credit: Africa Review

3. Dodo

An extinct flightless bird that inhabited Mauritius, the Dodo was about one metre tall and may have weighed 10-18 kg. The only account we have of the Dodo's appearance is through varied illustrations and written accounts from the 17 th century so its exact appearance remains unresolved. It is presumed the bird became flightless due to the availability of abundant food sources (seeds, roots and fallen fruits) and a relative absence of predators. Dutch sailors first recorded a mention of the dodo in 1598. The bird was hunted to extinction by sailors and their domesticated animals, and invasive species. The last widely accepted sighting of a Dodo was in 1662.

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10 Animals That Are Now Extinct | OneKindPlanet

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Animal extinctions may be caused by natural occurrences such as climatic heating or cooling or changes in sea levels. In more modern times, however, human activity has been to blame. Habitat destruction as farming land expands and forests are cut-down is the main cause of modern extinctions, along with pollution, the introduction of alien species, and over fishing or hunting.

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