ENDANGERED SPECIES: ANIMALS

ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION.

 INTRODUCTION.
The number of extinct species is difficult to quantify. More new species are found than can be identified,
catalogued, and named. However, as the climatic crisis worsens, natural habitats disappear, and the traffic in
animals and animal parts devastates the natural world, scientists can declare with some degree of certainty that
the rate of species loss is accelerating. The animal kingdom has reportedly fallen by roughly 50% in the last two
generations, and 10,000–100,000 species are predicted to become extinct every year, according to the World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Nowhere are species more in danger than in Asia, where industrial growth is
placing exponential pressure on ecological systems. According to the WEF's New Nature Economy Report, over
two-thirds (63%) of the region's economy, notably industries like agriculture, depends on nature to prosper.
Extinction also hinders scientific advancement. 70% of cancer medications are natural or synthetic substances
inspired by nature, whereas about 50% of all prescription pharmaceuticals are based on molecules found in plants
naturally. Pharmaceutical companies are losing a sizable repository of undiscovered genetic material that could
result in the next medical advance as tropical forests are threatened by wildfires and tree cutting. An important
drug candidate is lost every two years, according to some estimates. How to spend money to stop extinctions is a
major problem. Without conservation initiatives, a 2020 study indicated that the rates of bird and mammal
extinction between 1993 and 2020 would have been around three to four times greater. Although it may seem
preferable to concentrate conservation efforts on keystone species like elephants, sharks, or tigers that have a
pronounced impact on their ecosystems, it makes no sense to let any species go extinct because there is still so
much to learn about their importance. Extinction also has some grey areas. When there is no reasonable question
that the last member of a species has passed away, which is typically 50 years after the last known sighting, the
species is regarded as extinct. BirdLife International, explains that a species may technically be extinct if there
are no longer any reproducing pairs or if the population has shrunk to just one or two individuals of the same
sex. Because some species are difficult to locate and others are rediscovered after being declared extinct, like the
New Guinea singing dog and the silver-backed chevrotain, a rabbit-sized deer in southern Vietnam,
conservationists prefer to refer to species that are close to extinction as those with a high likelihood of going
extinct within the next three to five years. Animal extinction results in the loss of biodiversity. The term
"biodiversity" simply refers to the total number of species and ecosystems on the surface of the earth or in a
specific location. As a result, it illustrates how the variety of animals on the surface of the earth decreases when
species go extinct. There are numerous roles that various kinds of animals play in this world. Therefore, when we
lose these animals there, it also means that we lose something important because the function it once served
won't be appreciated. This is the difficulty that the extinction of animals causes for our environment.
  ANIMALS THAT ARE ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION.

North Atlantic right whale: Because they are found close to shore, swim slowly, and frequently float when
dead, right whales were given their name because they are the "right" whales to hunt. Despite the fact that
hunting was outlawed in 1935, the species is gravely threatened. Since 2017, 34 right whales have been killed,
which represents 10% of the species' total population. The primary risks include collisions with commercial
vessels, fishing line littering migration paths and feeding grounds, and seismic airgun blasting for oil and gas.
There are thought to be 330 individuals left, including roughly 80 breeding females. Oceana, a non-profit
organization located in Washington, is working to lessen dangers to North Atlantic right whales by urging the US
and Canadian governments to impose speed limits in regions where the whales are anticipated or decreasing the
quantity of vertical fishing lines already in use.

Great Indian bustard: The Great India Bustard inhabits dry grasslands and scrublands on the west Indian
subcontinent. Its environment has been its undoing. Grasslands are considered wastelands and have been utilized
by the energy-hungry state of Rajasthan as locations for wind and solar farms, whereas woods are highly valued
for their carbon content. The number of Great Indian Bustards has decreased by 75 percent over the previous
three decades, leaving only about 150 birds left. Due of accidents with high voltage power lines, they are dying
at a rate of 15% per year. A scheme to involve the neighborhood in conservation is one of the efforts to rescue
the bird with a bulky body and ostrich-like features. Local farmers and herders who reside in the towns that
surround the Desert National Park, the bustards' primary range, have received training from the forest department
to become nature guides, bringing them additional income and providing them with an incentive to safeguard the
birds and their habitat.

Yangtze river dolphin: One of the four river dolphin species in the world is the Yangtze River dolphin, often
known as the baiji (white dolphin) or Goddess of the Yangtze. The baiji is an evolutionary anomaly that split
apart from all other whales and dolphins around 20 million years ago. The baiji is a social animal that frequently
lives in groups. It may be recognized by its long, slightly upward-curving snout, blue-grey color, and highly
developed sonar for locating prey in the riverbed. The species has experienced a severe decrease and was deemed
functionally extinct in 2006, meaning that there are no longer enough individuals to support a viable breeding
population. Factors contributing to this reduction include overfishing, dams, boat crashes, and pollution.

Cerulean Paradise flycatcher: One of the few bird species that can only be found on the Sangihe islands,
which are situated roughly halfway between Sulawesi, Indonesia, and Mindanao, the Philippines, is the Cerulean
Paradise-flycatcher. The final remaining habitat of a distinctive all-pastel blue bird with a noticeable white eye-
ring is Mount Sahendaruman, an extinct volcano in the southern section of Sangihe. Since the contested pro-
business Omnibus law in Indonesia was passed, mining has put this environment in danger. A concession
covering more than half of Sangihe has been issued to a Canadian gold mining corporation, however it`s unclear
whether the mining permission is legitimate. BirdLife has been working with the people to safeguard the
remaining mountain forest in conjunction with the local NGO Burung Indonesia.

Javan rhinoceros: Javan rhinos, which are moonlight grey in color and have 10-inch horns and bodies
resembling armored assault vehicles, were previously common from Indonesia to India. A population of less than
70 individuals is all that is left of one of the most endangered large mammals in the world, and it is restricted to
Ujung Kulon National Park on the southwest tip of Java. Trophy hunting, poaching for traditional medicine, and
habitat loss have driven it to the brink of extinction. Although little is known about the role Javan rhinos play in
the ecology, it is thought that they help a variety of plants spread their seeds. They are quite susceptible to habitat
disruption. The coastal Ujung Kulon National Park is under threat from tsunamis, increasing sea levels, and
volcanic eruptions, therefore conservation measures involve creating a second sustainable population of rhinos.

 CONCLUSION.
Extinction of animals is a process that occurs in human society. Despite the fact that our actions and activities do
contribute to it, we cannot claim to be unaware of it. Therefore, it is necessary for each person to assume
responsibility for restoring the natural world. Regardless of how you want to look at it, the extinction of animals
has an impact on us since, after all, we are also animals. So that we can better engage by protecting our
environment and keeping in mind future generations. Animals' lifespan will be prolonged if a healthy
environment is provided. It is crucial to keep in mind to protect the animals we have now and their surroundings.
The primary cause of extinction is us humans. They either lose their home as a result of us because we need to
create paper, or they perish as a result of us needing food. Poachers also murder endangered animals or offer
them for sale to wealthy individuals who are eager to spend their money on a rare or threatened species. It is also
feasible to state that an animal can go extinct if the remaining members of a species are unable to procreate,
making it inevitable that these creatures will generate progeny in the future. In other words, an animal is extinct
when there is no chance or proof that it will be around in a few months or years due to its inability to reproduce.
The world has been cataclysmically changed by five major extinction events that have occurred in the past. In the
last several years, these five incidents have eliminated over 50% of a species' daily life. And right now, during
the Holocene period of extinction, we are in the sixth big extinction. Today, there are many methods to help
endangered animals, such as volunteering or making a donation to support the construction of animal shelters.
Visit some of these organizations, such as Defenders of Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife
Alliance, African Wildlife Foundation, and the Animal Welfare Institute, to learn more about extinct and
endangered species. They assist threatened species of animals by giving them new homes and providing
emergency care if they become harmed. Some are devoted to creatures from a particular nation. Human life is in
danger due to animal extinction. Just try to picture a world without other creatures. Consider how monotonous it
must be to encounter an animal species wherever you go. Does this imply that all people should become
vegetarians for the rest of their lives? Animal extinction is a threat because there are numerous, uncountable
services that animals provide to humans. Look at what is used for food, clothing, hides and skins, attractions, and
the overall role that biodiversity plays. Therefore, there are more negative effects from animal extinction than
positive ones.