Endangered Species

Endangered Species Resources Endangered Primates Endangered Sea Turtles Endangered Sharks Endangered Whales Global Amphibian Populations Seahorse Facts Types of Tigers Woodland Pinedrops

The term endangered species means that a high probability exists for a species to become extinct without human intervention.

Typically habitat destruction is recognized as the major factor that puts pressure on plant and wildlife populations around the world. For example, the current global warming induced melting of the polar ice caps, traditional polar bear habitat, is placing stress on polar bear populations.

In the United States, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) reports over 1,200 animals (both vertebrate and invertebrate) and about 750 plants being listed as either endangered or threatened. When a species is listed as endangered, the USFWS designates an area of land as critical habitat, which regulates the area to maximize protection for that species.

Demand for specific plants and animals also puts pressure on many populations. Elephant population levels, for example, came under great stress because demand for their ivory tusks make killing elephants a very lucrative business.

The The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international agreement in force for over thirty years, serves as the primary international forum dealing with trade issues.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) a group of scientists from around the world, also monitors species populations on a global level. They publish a Red List, which documents the world's plant and animal species, categorizing them in terms of being critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened and least concern.

IUCN scientists continue to state their concern for wildlife population levels. An October 2008 report on the status of the world's land and ocean mammals stated,

"at least 1,141 of the 5,487 mammals on Earth are known to be threatened with extinction. At least 76 mammals have become extinct since 1500. But the results also show conservation can bring species back from the brink of extinction, with five percent of currently threatened mammals showing signs of recovery in the wild.

The links in the box point to additional information on various endangered plants and animals.

© 2001-2009. Patricia A. Michaels.