It is impossible to estimate how many animal species are lost each year to extinction, or how many species remain. Of the five to fifteen million species of plants, animals and micro-organisms thought to exist in the world today, only about 1.5 million have been documented. Biologists estimate about 300,000 plant species, between four and eight million insects and perhaps 50,000 vertebrates currently share the planet with us, with about 1,130 mammalian species and 1,194 bird species listed as endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). Few people know that we are losing species to changes in land use, unsustainable use of natural resources, invasive introduced species, climate change, growth in human population and consumer lifestyle, waste and pollution, urban development and international conflict far quicker than the rate of extinction determined by natural selection. Few realise, for example, that as many as 137 species become extinct every day; 50,000 species every year. The word 'endangered' refers to animals, birds, fish, plants and any other living organism that is threatened with extinction by man-made or natural changes in their environment. The Endangered Species Act lists the requirements for declaring a species endangered. Species at risk of becoming extinct are classified as ‘endangered’: species with little or no chance of survival if the causal factors are allowed to continue. The word ‘extinct’ is used to describe a species of which no living members exist.
Decimation of habitat is probably the biggest cause of species loss in the world today. Expansion of agricultural land, logging and over grazing has contributed greatly to forest loss and degradation, with about 95 million hectares of forest decimated during the 1990’s alone, with about 70% of the deforested land immediately ear-tagged for agricultural use. About half the world’s oldest forests have already been lost to habitat destruction, with more disappearing 10 times faster than any form of natural replacement could ever keep up with. Around 17 million hectares of forested land is being cleared each year, threatening the existence of the birds and animals that rely on them. As the human populations continue to increase and the natural habitats of the world’s animal species continue to shrink, competition for living space and food will continue to pose a problem for man and beast alike. The animals will be forced to seek nourishment and shelter in closer proximity to human habitation, and people will continue to retaliate in defence of their personal safety and that of their crops, livestock and property. Global warming is another potentially devastating environmental influence triggering the loss of many vulnerable species every day. Habitat change caused by global warming, and the inability for the affected species to migrate to new sites, is the biggest cause of species loss under these circumstances. It has been predicted that global warming alone will see the less mobile species in some areas completely wiped out in the near future. The Earth is warming at a much faster rate than ever before, with many species forced to adapt to unfamiliar climatic conditions at a quickened pace. Emissions of greenhouse gases have contributed greatly to global warming, the consequences of which include noticeable shifts in growing seasons, changes in traditional territorial ranges and altered patterns of reproduction. It is feared that most of the world’s species will not be able to redistribute themselves effectively or quickly enough to survive the changes we are experiencing at present, particularly if they continue to proceed at the current rate. Pollution is also beginning to pay its toll, with chemicals used thousands of kilometres away now turning up in the blood and fat reserves of the animals living in some of the world’s most pristine environments. Chemicals used in pesticide sprays used to protect crops have been found to cause mutations and fertility problems in animals and birds that rely on the oceans and waterways for their survival. It has been predicted that in the not so distant future the Arctic, for example, will be devoid of ice during its summer months. Such an occurrence would not only see the Polar Bears suffer immensely (successful hunting of their prey would be made almost impossible) and possibly pushed to the edge of possible extinction, but also all the other animals and people that depend on it for their survival. Polar Bear cubs have been discovered yielding both male and female sex organs, a direct consequence of the increase in pollution now infiltrating the polar North. It has been assumed that the deformities have been caused by polychlorinated biphenol chemicals, or ‘PCBs’ infiltrating and contaminating the ocean and the Polar Bear’s food-chain. The chemicals (used in electrical transformer fluids and degreasing agents in nuclear submarines), gather in the fat reserves of Seals. Polar Bears eat the Seals, thus gradually affecting the Bear’s health and integrity as a species over a period of generations.
People have traded in animals for cash or exchange for centuries, relying on wildlife products for food, shelter, adornment and clothing. Did you know, though, that many of the world’s rarest animals are being bought and sold internationally through a trade in exotic ‘pets’, while others are being served up in fancy restaurants as illegal ‘delicacies’, with animals known to be on the verge of extinction attracting the greatest interest? Demand as escalated exorbitantly over the past 15 years, with Gorilla meat, Bears paws (amputated without anaesthetic) and Shark fins (often sliced off while they are still alive) being served at wedding banquets, birthday feasts and business dinners. Many see it as the ultimate sign of elitism, power and wealth to be seen eating an animal whose species is on the edge of extinction. They proudly order dishes that are both illegal and immoral as a way of impressing and honouring their guests.
At least a quarter of the world's population today relies on practices endorsed by Traditional Chinese Medicine. Trade in Chinese medicine is worth billions of dollars to China annually, with demand continuing to grow. Sadly, many traditional practitioners are resisting foreign demand for regulation of their practises to protect endangered species. They see human lives as being more important than those of animals. It is essential that a sustainable or alternative way to practise Traditional Chinese Medicine be found, and soon. The use of Tiger parts in traditional medicine can be traced back to more than 1,000 years in Chinese culture. The practise has, in a word, sanctioned illegal poaching in an attempt to fill demand, pushing the three remaining species of Tiger close to extinction. Of the eight subspecies of Tiger, two stand out as the most famous: the Bengal and the Sumatran. Unfortunately, due to poaching, there are only about 5,000 Bengal Tigers and between 300 and 500 Sumatran Tigers in the wild today. The Indochinese Tiger is limited to only 2000 wild individuals, the South Chinese (or Amoy) Tiger to about 100, while the Siberian population is barely worth mentioning with approximately 450 animals left in the wild today. Sadly, the Javan, Balinese and Caspian Tigers have all been lost to extinction over the past 50 years. Today, one Tiger is killed every day to meet the international demand for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Every part of the animal’s body is used for one remedy or another. Moon Bears, too, are enslaved and killed for unsubstantiated ‘medicinal’ reasons. Taken from the wild by ‘Bear Farmers’ at three months of age (usually at the fatal cost of their mother), Moon Bears are trained as circus animals to walk tightropes and perform inane tricks until they are 18 months of age. They are then confined to tiny cages that totally restrict movement and ‘milked’ of their bile at three years of age. Valves are inserted (without anaesthesia) into the gall bladder in order to drain the bile. Sometimes hollow steel tubes are simply pushed through the animal’s abdomen, allowing the bile to drain into strategically placed bowls. Veterinarians are seldom employed to perform the procedure. Despite a clear and obvious lack of proven medicinal worth, the bile is harvested and sold as a traditional remedy for fever, liver failure and sore eyes, usually in the form of pills and powders, ointments, wines, lozenges, teas, and shampoos. Moon Bears are also hunted for their paws, meat, brain, blood and bone and other body-parts, which are served as delicacies in restaurants. The American Black Bear, Grizzly Bear and Polar Bear are also illegally targeted for their ‘medicinally prized’ body parts. Rhinoceros horn is also high on the list of most revered ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is believed to hold properties that, when consumed internally as a powder, offer aphrodisiacal outcomes while simultaneously curing impotency, worms, epilepsy, vertigo, fever, stomach ache, convulsions and smallpox. Not surprisingly, the same effect could be achieved by biting one’s fingernails, as both the horn of the Rhinoceros and human fingernails are constructed from interwoven keratin fibres: the same ‘stuff’ human hair is made of.
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Some startling facts:
• One half of the world’s species will be extinct within the next 100 years; one quarter of all known mammals will be extinct within the next 30 years.
• As many as 137 species disappear from the Earth each day; 50,000 species every year
• Humans are to blame for greatest mass extinction of species since the dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago.
• Every habitat on every continent contains endangered species.
• Over the past 600 million years, extinction has only taken place at a rate of one species a year. Now, in the world’s rainforests alone, we are losing 27,000 per year; 72 species a day; three every hour.
• In all of Mother Earth’s four billion year history, she has experienced five major extinctions. We are currently on the verge of another one.
• Animals are dying out an alarming rate: 1000 times faster than the natural rate of extinction.
• The population of the world’s wild Tigers has declined by 95% in the past 100 years. Of the five known species of Tiger, three are now classified as extinct. There are only 5000 Tigers left in the wild. One tiger is killed every day to support the international trade in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• The population of the world’s wild Black Rhinoceros’ has declined by 97% in the past 30 years.
• The population of the world’s Orang-utan has declined by 50% in the last decade. Sumatran Orang-utans are currently listed as severely threatened. It is predicted that Sumatran Orang-utans will be extinct within the next five years.
• The population of the world’s Sharks has declined by 80% in the past 15 years. 100 million Sharks are caught annually to feed consumer demand for Shark-fin soup. Half of the Sharks caught have their dorsal fins sliced off while they are still alive.
• There are only 4,500 Snow leopards left in the wild.
• Every species of Asian Bear is currently classified as endangered. Despite their vulnerable status, they continue to be poached for their gall bladders and paws, many of which are amputated without anaesthetic. 7000 Bears are currently imprisoned on bile farms, ‘harvested’ for their gall bile.
• Sea Turtles have swum the world’s oceans since the reign of the Dinosaurs. Today, it is a sad fact that all species of Sea Turtle face extinction.
• 1000 Dolphins are killed every day; one every two minutes.
• In the wild, Elephants live up to 70 years, but today very few get to enjoy a natural death.
• The population of the world’s wild Asian Elephants has declined by 75%
• At least 30,000 Blue Whales were once killed annually. Less than 6,000 Blue Whales exist in the world’s oceans today. It will take more than one hundred years of serious, international protection to save the Blue Whale from extinction.
• 1 in 8 bird species are in danger of extinction
• 1 in 3 amphibian species are in danger of extinction
• Half of the world’s fresh water turtle species are in danger of extinction
• Nearly half of the world’s 235 species of primate are threatened by extinction
• Less than 500 Mountain Gorillas exist in the wild today
• Less than 300 Sumatran Rhinos exist in the wild today
• Less than 60 Javan Rhinos exist in the wild today
• Less than 50 Florida Cougars exist in the wild today
• Less than 200 Siberian Tigers exist in the wild today
• Less than 3000 Komodo Dragons exist in the wild today
• Less than 150 Golden Lion Tamarins exist in the wild today
• Less than 1600 Giant Pandas exist in the wild today
Things that you can do to help:
• Boycott travelling animal shows in which animals are often neglected or abused.
• Never purchase wild or exotic animals as pets. Many of these animals are taken directly from the wild and purchasing them only exacerbates the inhumane trade in exotic animals as ‘pets’.
• Share your views by contacting your local newspaper, magazine or radio station regarding issues regarding animal welfare, or write to your local, state, and federal government officials about upcoming bills and/or animal rights.
• Arrange for an animal expert to visit your children's school and speak to your child's class in an attempt to raise awareness or dissuade the misconceptions surrounding some species of animal.
• Buy products and goods that do not have wrapping that will end up in landfill areas; areas that help reduce natural habitat for wildlife.
• Reuse what you can, recycle what you can’t, but no matter what, try to reduce the output of household garbage and make sure you place your trash in bins with a secure lid.
• Cut-up six-pack rings that hold together soft drink and alcohol cans, thus reducing the chances of them becoming caught around the necks of birds and animals.
• Never take wild animals out of the wild and keep them as a pet … Frogs and Tadpoles, for example.
• Encourage birds and small native mammals into your garden by planting ‘feed’ trees, flowering shrubs and plants that bear fruit, nuts and seeds. Put out seed during the winter months only … it is during the colder periods that birds have the greatest difficulty finding plentiful food.
• Place a bird bath in your garden, or a bowl of fresh water under your garden tap.
• Initiate a community based campaign to clean up a stream, wetland or park.
• Volunteer at your local animal shelter or apprentice yourself to a wildlife rescue officer and establish your own registered care facility at home.
• Avoid using chemical based products in and around your home.
• Avoid products that rely on animal testing.
• Boycott companies that rely on vivisection and other such research techniques.
• Only buy products that are manufactured from materials that have been harvested in a sustainable way and boycott companies uncommitted to biodiversity, conservation and sustainable forest management
• Only use humane animal traps. That way the target animal can be re-housed and you won’t run the risk of accidentally killing other animals as well.