Top 10 Endangered Species and Why You Should Care
Despite recent ado over environmental devastations like global warming and water pollution, citizens of the world are showing less regard for important issues like the top ten endangered species. Instead, all eyes have been averted from ecological dismay and focused on financial worries (Washington Times). While this trend may appear sensible, considering worldwide economic turmoil has uprooted millions, it isn’t necessarily prudent.
Contemporary thought by many gravitates towards an age old philosophy of money making the world go ‘round. While this adage certainly has its truths, cash doesn’t create the air we breathe or the water we drink. Our environment is our life blood, and without its preservation; living becomes a moot point.
WHAT DO THE TOP 10 ENDANGERED SPECIES HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?
Ecological upset, much like financial trouble, has a way of affecting the globe in a colossal way. However, differences between the two fundamental elements are vast. As we discussed limitations for money’s power earlier, one can easily see that ecology must be maintained. By understanding the importance of our world’s top 10 endangered species, we can have better comprehension of just how important these animals are to our own survival.
As a note, all compilation entries for this article were taken from a variety of sources including the World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
BLACK RHINOCEROS
Undoubtedly lacking in aesthetic beauty, the black rhino serves as a key witness to devastation. In the past 100 years, the African native has gone from over 100, 000 down to less than 4,000 in number (Wikipedia). As herbivores, the black rhino plays a vital role in maintaining its ecosystem by consuming hundreds of different types of plants that most other animals will not eat.
TIGER
Poaching for the tiger’s glorious skin and habitat loss have brought this cat’s population numbers down to less than 7,000 in the whole world. As a major part of every ecosystem tigers live in, these ferocious, yet beautiful animals are necessary to maintain delicate balances in the food chain. Not only are tigers hunters, they also provide food as scavengers feed on carcasses left after a cat’s death.
POLAR BEAR
Giant of the Arctic, polar bears are fast dying off. Numbering in the low 20,000’s, these bears have been increasingly diminished from onslaughts of hunters in search of spirituality and food. Considered to be the Arctic’s most predatory meat eater, polar bears consume large amounts of seal and fish.
GIANT PANDA
This cute, but not so cuddly Chinese carnivore weighs nearly350 pounds when full grown and mostly eats fruits and veggies. Reduced to fewer than 3,000 in number, these black and white bears are working hard to repopulate, but are finding it difficult due to poachers and habitat destruction.
PACIFIC WALRUS
While the Pacific walrus may be ugly, its ivory tusks are putting the animal in danger of extinction. As both a provider of food to polar bears and a consumer of numerous marine creatures, these walruses can grow up to 4,000 pounds.
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE
Living to almost 150 years in the wild isn’t keeping these freshwater turtles from going extinct. Due to demand for turtle soup, Alligator snapping turtles are quickly being snapped up from existence.
MAGELLANIC PENGUIN
Warm weather penguins, who knew? These cute little creatures aren’t endangered yet, but they are quickly taking cuts in numbers as oil spills and predators overcome the surviving millions.
GREEN-CHEEKED PARROT
Illegal trades from Mexico to America have forced the Green-cheeked parrot to quickly be listed as an endangered species. What a large price to pay just to own a “pretty bird”.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY
This insect’s venom isn’t strong enough to stop humans from deforesting its habitats. By removing the monarch’s winter time environment, these butterflies are finding it hard to stay alive and are now a protected species.
MOUNTAIN GORILLA
So close to being human, yet so far away. Due to poaching and environmental encroachment of their native habitats, mountain gorillas have become critically endangered. Known for their gentleness when unprovoked, these animals are now forced to reside within the safer confines of four national parks.
WHY CARE ABOUT THE TOP 10 ENDANGERED SPECIES?
While it may be easy to dismiss extinction of these animals, it certainly isn’t smart. Regardless of how inconsequential each species may seem, every one of them is a vital part of the world’s ecosystem structure. Even small changes in the food chain can dramatically affect entire populations of plants, animal, and humans.