What Are Endangered Species?

For an species to be listed as endangered there needs to be so few remaining in the wild that there is a strong likelihood that they will not be able to reproduce quickly enough to keep up with the number that are dying. In other words, endangered species are in danger of becoming EXTINCT! When that happens there will be no more of that species at all. There is no exact number below which a species is considered endangered. For a species that matures and reproduces slowly, such as elephants, even a relatively large number may not be enough. However, a smaller number of a species that reproduces more quickly may be sufficient to prevent a decline in population. However, many species need protection from humans and habitat destruction. If more die every year than are born the species is in trouble.

Species that are declining in population but have not reached a critically low number are called "threatened". This means that they need protection from governments to stop the decline and prevent them from becoming endangered and eventually extinct.

Why Are They Endangered?

Because of PEOPLE! Throughout the history of the Earth, species have become extinct. The dinosaurs are all gone and so are the mammoths, saber tooth tigers and many, many others. All of this happened over thousand and millions of years and is natural. However, in the past 200 years or so, people have destroyed the habitats and hunted hundreds of species to the brink of extinction. THIS IS NOT NATURAL! In order to help species in danger of extinction, people and governments have begun to list endangered species and work to protect them. But there are still many rude people in the world who kill endangered animals and destroy habitats. YOU may also be responsible if you buy products that support the killing and destruction. Exotic wood products in your home are part of the problem. Don't buy them. Do you eat beef? Many countries destroy large areas of land to raise cattle. Don't think all the bad people are the poachers in foreign countries. They only kill because some else buys. DON'T BUY ANYTHING THAT SUPPORTS POACHING OR HABITAT DESTRUCTION! If you are not sure then find out. It's YOUR responsibility

What Is The Impact?

The impact is great, estimations say that by 2025 about 20% of species known by us will be extinct.

Also, almost everything is important to our world, the more species that become extinct, the closer we become to extinction. Some people might consider it a big loss when their favorite species become extinct. This is the impact.

So help save this beautiful planet and help maintain it's nickname " The Blue Planet," and not give it the name "The Dead Planet."

Is There a Solution?