...Helmke Business Public Policy Endangered Species Act Extinctions have occurred throughout our planet's natural history. Some species develop as others die out, making space in the ecosystem for those best suited to any given habitat's natural conditions. Long before human beings arrived, fossil records show that populations of animals evolved, thrived, declined, and became extinct. However, the rate of extinctions in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries drastically increased to an estimated 100 to 1,000 times the normal expected rate of extinction. The majority of these accelerated extinctions can be directly traced to mankind's impact upon the natural environment in the form of hunting, fishing, agriculture, development, pollution, habitat encroachment, disease, and global climate change. Due to the increasing number of endangered species, as well as, species becoming extinct, the United States Congress decided to take action. Congress passed the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1966, providing a means for listing native animal species as endangered and giving them limited protection. The Departments of Interior, Agriculture, and Defense were to seek to protect listed species, and, insofar as consistent with their primary purposes, preserve the habitats of such species. The Act also authorized the Service to acquire land as habitat for endangered species. In 1969, Congress amended the Act to provide additional protection to species in danger of “worldwide extinction”...
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...different types of elephants, African and Asian. They both have similarities and differences. IV. Today I will inform you about elephants and why they are endangered, which species is at more risk than the other, and the language used by this incredible species. Body: I. The years 2011 and 2012 indicate the worst record for elephant poaching in Africa; Tens of thousands of elephants were slaughtered (“National Geographic”, n.d.). a. In 2011 the highest number of illegal ivory seizures in the last 23 years was recorded. i. Ivory is the number one reason that elephants are killed. ii. Their meat and body parts are among the other top reasons elephants are hunted. b. Poaching is an illegal act. Now that we know about elephant poaching, let’s take a look at an endangered species of elephants. II. The most endangered of the species is the Asian elephant. c. Asian elephant’s habitat ranges over 14 countries across Asia. iii. Wild Asian elephants suffer severe habitat loss in some of the most densely human populate regions on the planet. iv. Their traditional territories and migration routes have been destroyed by human development. d. This endangered species has less than 40,000 remaining worldwide. Now that we talked about endangered species, we will discuss the unique language of elephants. III. On a lighter note, I would like to talk to you about the language elephants have...
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...Cameroon and Zimbabwe, the black rhinoceros is classified as critically endangered, with one subspecies, the western Black Rhinoceros, declared extinct by the IUCN in 2011. For an extensive period of the twentieth century, the continental black rhinoceros was one of the most numerous of all the species of rhino. The severity of this issue is proven by the figures that have been gathered to show the rapid decline of numbers. During the 1960s, the population of Black Rhinoceros’ was around 70,000, however just 21 years later in 1981, that number decreased by roughly 55,000 to 60,000, leaving between 10,000 and 15,000 rhinos. [1] During the earlier half of the 1990s, the number of Black Rhinoceros was as low as just under 2,500, and by the year 2004, it had been reported that the number stood at a shocking 2,410. These figures clearly outline the seriousness of the decline and provides the reason as to why there are several conservation methods working to help save this beautiful creature. There are four sub-species that are recognised: Southern-central black rhino, currently the most numerous of the species. They are classified as critically endangered. There is also the South-western black rhino which is too classed as critically endangered. The Eastern African black rhino has a smaller but growing population in Tanzania but is currently stronghold in Kenya, this sub-species is also classified as critically endangered. Finally, there is the West African black rhino, which is sadly classified...
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...according to the Arbor Day Foundation, “a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year”(Helmenstine). Many of the world’s most threatened and endangered animals live in forests, but not only animals rely on the forests, but 1.6 billion people rely on the benefits forests offer, including food, fresh water, clothing, traditional medicine and shelter. With our population growing more and more each second the world is threatening these forests and jeopardizing the benefits given. According to worldwildlife.org, 46-58 thousand square miles of forest are lost each year-equivalent to 36 football...
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...Hunting Helps Animal Populations Imagine a world without lions or deer? Hunting helps control the population of animals. If no one went hunting there would be too many animals in certain areas. Deer over populate and wander down into neighborhoods. They cause a lot of problems when they get into the cities. There is a difference between hunting and poaching. Hunting is hunting an animal with a tag or a license. Poaching is hunting an animal without a tag or license; illegal hunting. Poaching and habitat lose is the two main reasons making animals go extinct or endangered. Hunting helps control the animal population; poaching makes them extinct or endangered. When you go hunting you have a tag and a license. Poaching is when you go hunting but you don’t have a tag for that animal or you don’t’ have a hunting license. Many countries have put bans on animals that live in that area. “Bans clearly not only do not work, but accelerate the extinction of species” (Bore). The lion has not been allowed to be hunted, in Kenya, for over 30 years. During that period, the size of the lion population has dropped to ten percent of the neighboring Tanzanian lion population (Bore). The Tanzanian lions has been allowed to be hunted for the same period of time as the Kenya lions have been banned. The numbers in different countries are rising for the animals that are being hunted legally, but for Africa, the numbers are dropping. Not only does hunting help with controlling animal population, it...
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...The Endangered Species Act is a conservation act to preserve environments and animals in need. It was created in 1973 but what led up to it was the Act of 1966 and the amendment of 1969. Both of these acts were to limit poaching and help preserve the animals. Congress created the law backed by early conservationists like Dr. Train, Dr. Earl Baysinger Dick Gutting, and Dr. Gerard Then it was approved by clinton who helped start the biggest work to save animals. Endangered species are species that are close or in danger of becoming extinct. There are 7 levels to the endangered animals based on how close they are to being extinct. They use data on population levels, Ecosystems the animals live in and the rate an Organism's population is...
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...Imagine being at the top of your food chain and not having to worry about any other animals. But, there is one thing you do need to worry about people hunting you illegally for your majestic fur. Well did you know about every year 100 tigers are killed by poachers which has lead to about 3,890 wild tigers left in the world. Due to poaching and habitat loss the tigers are going extinct. Poaching is one of the main causes to tigers going extinct. According to the video Tiger Trade Takedown these majestic animals are being hunted for things such as their claws,whiskers and brain which can be sold for more than $50,000. Also the poachers hunt the tiger because they believe the tiger is a good supplement for medicines and symbols because the...
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...Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. By Will Purdy 1011L Nov. 11, 2014 Introduction: Grauer’s Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), or the eastern lowland gorilla is an extant subspecies of the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei matschie) endemic to the eastern forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Grauer’s gorilla is biologically significant, in that it is the largest living primate. According to the IUCN (2014), Grauer’s gorilla, like many of it’s great-ape relatives, is an endangered species. When searching for the reason this animal has become endangered we have no further to look than the closest mirror; adult Eastern Lowland gorillas have no natural predators other than humans. This paper presents an analysis of humanity’s contributions from 1991 to present day towards the current endangered status of Grauer’s gorillas. The paper is organized into three main drivers of endangerment: Conflict and instability; Deforestation and environmental degradation; and poaching. The majority of the research in this paper was collected in the Kahuzi-Biega national park located along the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Body: Up through the mid 1990’s the population of Grauer’s gorillas was estimated to be around 17,000 individuals. A decade later in 2005, populations were estimated to be around 8,000 individuals or less (IUCN 2014). A reasonable question to ask would be, “How did this happen?” To answer this, we must backtrack to the final...
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...Every day across the world, species struggle to remain in existence. There isn’t too much good news in today’s society about endangered species. Many endangered species populations continue to drop day after day even after much awareness has been raised to the world about the need for these species to remain in existence. Yet, in this dark hour there is a glimmer of hope for some of these species, especially tigers. In the past four years, India’s wild tiger population has risen 30%. Successes like these are key. It just shows that these endangered species can be saved. “India’s Environmental Minister Prakash Javadekar said the tiger population has risen from 1,706 in 2001 to 2,226 in 2014” (BBC). Overall, world tiger populations are falling, but just that tiger populations are rising in India is big news. Other countries throughout the world can put India’s proven conservation methods to use to increase tiger populations. The World Wildlife Fund and countless other organizations took part in the protection of Indian tigers these last four years and has definitely helped the increase in wild tigers. India protected more land land for wild tigers to live. A key factor to the growth of the population was state sponsored wildlife corridors that connected large protected wildlife areas. The most immediate threat to wild tigers is poaching. “In relentless demand, their parts are used for traditional medicine, folk remedies, and increasingly as a status symbol among some Asian...
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...Part A: Definitions 1) Extinct- When a species has died out and is no longer a living organism on earth, due to human activities or environmental forces disturbance like example : poaching, poor reproduction, global warming, etc. One example for extinction is the polar bears are highly endangered, because humans cause global warming and that causes the ice sheet to melt that supports the polar bear to survive because they depend on the ice to prey down seals(there main source of food) , therefore the polar bears are highly endangered due to human activities. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/198987/extinction) 2) Extirpated- When a specie is been completely removed from a particular area, ecosystem or habitat, as result...
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...the prevention techniques that are used is dehorning the rhinos. This is done in order to discourage poaching and is extremely expensive because the horn grows back, and the process must be repeated every year. This method has proven to be highly unsuccessful as poachers still continue to kill the black rhino even with this preventive measure. Another preventive measure is high voltage wires around some preserves. This has slowed down poachers somewhat. Though the law protects black rhinos, many conservationists transport them to protected areas in order to ensure the laws are followed. This is another way to preserve their existence. | The populations of black rhinos have decreased from 65,000 twenty years ago to about 2,400 today! | Pictures:1: commons.wikimedia.org2: commons.wikimedia.org3: rhinos-irf.org4: awf.org5: students.umf.maine.edu | To find out more information go to…http://www.bagheera.com/inthewild/van_anim_rhino.htmhttp://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/black-rhinoceros.htmlhttp://www.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/rhinoceros/african_rhinos/black_rhinoceros/http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/species/black-rhino/http://www.honoluluzoo.org/black_rhinoceros.htm | Summary – I decided to study the Black Rhinoceros because it is one of the most well known endangered species in the world. YOU can help raise money to combat the poaching of rhinos for illegal trade by shopping at The Saving Rhinos Shop. They donate a generous portion...
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...park (Giant Eland Conservation, 2010). The park has around 200 meters of flat regions with lines of hills, where the remainder of the park is full of low plateaus. There are many languages that are spoken within the park. They are: Spanish, French, Russian, English, and Arabic. The Niokolo-Koba National Park was put on the World Heritage Danger List in 2007. The park is located in the western region of Africa near the Guinea-Bissau border in South Eastern Senegal (Absolute Astronomy 2010). It best known for its wildlife and it contains the most important natural habitat for biological diversity, including threatened species. Senegal is home to “2,500 different types of species and the Niokolo-Koba contain 1,500 of them” (Giant Eland Conservation, 2010). Currently 120 different species families occupy the park as well. The park is home to “80 different species of mammals, 330 birds, 38 reptiles, 20 amphibians, 60 different types of fish” (Giant Eland Conservation, 2010). The vegetation plays a strong role in this park as well. There are four types of soils that are found in the park in various locations. The soils include “tropical red soil, ferrolateritic crusts, alluvial, and hydromorphic” (Giant Eland Conservation, 2010). The vegetation in the park comes in many forms. The park includes grass, woody savannas, bushes, and many trees. A long list of animals and vegetation appear to be on the edge of endangerment. The diversity of life forms within this park is enormous, but...
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...Endangered Species Think back to the first time you went to the zoo. Do you remember the excitement you felt when you got your first glimpse of a tiger? Or maybe your favorite animal was an elephant. These species and many others are in danger of becoming extinct. I’m going to explain to you the process to get a species listed as endangered and the protective measures taken to help them recover. I’ll also talk about the success rate of these efforts. The first step to protecting a threatened species is to get them listed. The process to have a species added to the list can take up to a year. Species are listed by 2 classifications, threatened or endangered. A threatened species is a species that could become endangered in the near future without proper protection. An endangered species is a species that could become extinct. To start the process someone must first file a petition or conduct a survey of the species. Anyone can file a petition providing there is enough biological evidence to warrant further investigation. Members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services or the National Marine Fisheries Service complete the surveys. Several factors help determine if a species is in need of protection. A few of those factors are: Changes in habitat, over utilization due to commercial and recreational purposes, disease or predation, and inadequate regulatory Laws. Within 90 days of receiving the petition or survey they must decide if further investigation is warranted. If it...
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...Jungle Book that was to be not only feared, but respected throughout the entire jungle. Although it’s habitat is in India, the Bengal tiger has commanded so much respect that even an American professional football team’s logo uses the Bengal as their official mascot (Cincinnati Bengals). The problem is that perhaps that respect has dwindled since the time of The Jungle Book and the inception of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1966. While there are on-going efforts to save this incredible big cat, their status is still listed as Endangered. Habitat and Characteristics Bengal tigers (also known as Royal Bengal tiger or Indian tigers) are commonly found in the subcontinent of India and in dense forests, mangrove swamps, and jungles throughout the subcontinent and in some areas in China and Nepal. While most are orange, black, and white, there are some Bengal tigers that are reported to have an all white coloration (animalplanet.com) and they are only known species of tiger to be all white. Average length for these special tigers at around 10 feet. While it is considered to be the second largest tiger in the world (Siberian or Amur tiger is larger), it is sometimes claimed to be the largest tiger on average (a-z-animals.com). Although they weigh between 300-600 pounds and with an average weight of 500 pounds, these beasts are also very fast especially for their large size. With a top speed of around 60 mph, it is no wonder they don’t have to much capturing their prey. Behavior Bengal...
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...trafficked rare mammals is one that borders on nobody has heard of, the pangolin or as others may know it as the “scaly anteater.” “The pangolin could go extinct before people realize it exists. Or, more to the point: It could go extinct because of that,” (Sutter). Due to being trafficked for their meat and scales, the overarching pangolin species are being driven to extinction slowly but surely starting in Asia and moving across Africa. This simple fact breeds the question of why pangolins are dying off and why exactly pangolins are hunted significantly worse in Asia in comparison to Africa. Looking at how pangolins are continuously surviving against the odds in the wild gives a spectacular overarching perspective on why pangolins are going extinct due to their scales being used in traditional medicines and their meat being considered by bountiful amounts of peoples in Asia as a...
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