Human Impacts on Endangered Animals

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Background Information

Every day, humans from all over the world negatively impact many different animal species. Poaching, habitat loss, pollution, disease, and climate change, are exponentially increasing the thousands of species becoming endangered due to human impact. Despite the efforts to protect many different animal species such as elephants, rhinos, and tigers from poaching their populations are still decreasing at an alarming rate. The value of the poached goods are increasing as the populations of these animals decreases. Elephants and rhinos are poached for their tusks and horns that are made of keratin. Keratin is the same compound that human fingernails are made of, but coming from a different species they are thought to have magical medicinal properties with no scientific evidence to back up this claim. The habitat of native animals is greatly reduced due to deforestation as a result of urban expansion and the lumber industry. This causes more inter and intra competition as the same number of animals are competing for resources in a much smaller area. A smaller space with less resources leads to more endangered species. Research suggests that animals have been disappearing 1000x faster compared to 65 million years ago. Scientists are estimating that every day 100 species are going extinct and by the end of the 21st century, we will have lost 30-50% of Earth’s species.

Pollution in the form of fossil fuels, chemicals, and sound are increasingly causing more animal deaths. Toxins from different chemicals, such as pesticides, are continually being ingested by all species. Noise pollution from boats, oil rigs, and even motor vehicle traffic affect animal migration, communication and mating patterns. Chemical pollution from fossil fuels mixes with water in the atmosphere and leads to acidic rain which can make water poisonous. Physical pollution in the form of litter and trash is ending up in our oceans, affecting the animals there and creating microplastics. Burning fossil fuels causes the climate to warm, increasing the ease in which disease spreads. By using organic pesticides, implementing more renewable energy, and avoiding buying products made from endangered species, we can make a huge difference. Joining the efforts of organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, David Sheldrick Wildlife Fund, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation can also help protect these animals out in the field.