Endangered Animals: Causes and Consequences

As you probably know, more and more animal species are becoming extinct every year. These disappearances are a real scourge and an excellent catastrophe for biodiversity. Unfortunately, many symbolic animals are in great danger of extinction.

If you are here, it's because you are a nature lover and want to be informed about this vital subject. That's why Tiger-Universe will present you with the reasons why more and more species are doomed to disappear. We will also explain the consequences that these disappearances cause on the balance of our beautiful planet.

At the end of this article, you will know everything about endangered animals, and you will be able to raise awareness about this cause. Are you ready? Then arm yourself with all your courage and enter this unfair and unforgiving world!

We will not show you any shocking or violent images out of respect for the animals.

Why are animals in danger of disappearing?

1) Poaching

 Since the dawn of time, poachers have contributed directly to the extinction of animal species. But what exactly is poaching?

Well, it's straightforward; some people go hunting for animals with the sole purpose of selling their fur, their bones, and their organs. This barbaric activity should not be confused with hunting, which is regulated and serves to feed the population. Poaching is illegal because it concerns, in most cases, protected animals.

Poachers have been responsible for many disappearances for several centuries. Today, it seems that states worldwide are putting in place more and more measures to prevent this massacre. The death penalty is applicable in many countries for any person voluntarily killing a protected animal. This is the case in India and Russia, where poaching is only decreasing over the years.

But if poaching is decreasing, how is it that animals are more and more threatened? You will see that this phenomenon is one of the negative consequences of the capitalist world in which we live.

2) Deforestation in the world

Growth is essential, but at what cost? Many animals see their territory wholly razed to build factories and farmland. Deforestation destroys the habitat of animal species isolated on smaller and smaller lands until they no longer have enough resources to survive.

There are many examples of these large industries' problems to the animal kingdom. For example, the Siberian tiger sees its habitat shrink because of Russian logging companies. Today, these subspecies are much more threatened by these industries than by the poachers themselves.

Unfortunately, this problem depends on several economic and political factors. Deforestation brings so much money to the states that it becomes tough for them to part with this income.

Today, some countries refuse to see this danger and privilege the yields rather than the animals' well-being that populate their territory. It is terrifying to see how quickly a habitat can degrade and know that tomorrow, perhaps, we will lose some of our most beautiful species if nothing is done.

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5 Endangered Species

1) The Tiger

 The tiger is a unique animal because it is divided into nine subspecies that once populated the whole of Asia. Only today, because of the factors that we have presented previously, the big cat is becoming more and more vulnerable. Moreover, 3 of the nine subspecies have already disappeared; they were the very famous Java Tiger.

Not all Tigers are equally exposed to the risk of extinction. The Bengal Tiger seems to be doing relatively well with a slightly increasing population. On the other hand, this is not the case for the South China Tiger, which, according to scientists, no longer exists in the wild.

Generally speaking, apart from the Bengal tiger, the five other subspecies of tiger are currently in great distress. Today there are only 3800 specimens still alive in the wild. But the simple fact that these tigers can evolve in captivity is enough for the countries sheltering them not to take sufficient protection measures.

In doing so, they forget that the wildest of felines is not made to live in captivity. To lock up this force of nature is to make it lose all its splendor!

2) The Panda

 A tangible symbol of the WWF that fights for more than 50 years to protect the animals, the panda remains nevertheless threatened. This black and white bear has become the emblem of the fight for the conservation of nature following the drama he experienced in China.

Indeed, the Chinese have been forced to build more and more roads, mines, and agricultural land because of the demographic explosion. These infrastructures have encroached on the vast territory of the panda, pushing it to isolate itself in the remote mountains.

Today, there are about 1800 pandas in the wild. This number is derisory compared to what it was less than a century ago. It naturally places the giant panda on the red list of critically endangered species.

Despite this, this endemic species of China has become a priority for the government. We regret that these animals are protected from contributing to the excellent image of the country. It is not uncommon for China to offer pandas to other countries as a diplomatic gift.

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3) The Gorilla

 It is an animal that is less projected on the front of the scene, yet its current situation is worrying. The gorilla is an impressive beast, capable of breaking a man's skull with alarming ease. But this sizeable African ape is now greatly threatened by poaching. It is killed for its meat and captured to be sold to rich people.

Although this activity is forbidden, the countries concerned do not effectively monitor the poachers. Gorillas are less endangered than other critically endangered species. However, they are still highly impacted, with an estimated population of between 50,000 and 75,000.

As these monkeys are very close to humans, they are affected by the same diseases and epidemics. Thus, the Ebola virus continues to kill many gorillas in Congo and Gabon.

4) The Elephant

 Along with the lion, the elephant is the most symbolic and representative animal of the African continent. Although the elephant is revered as a deity by some local populations, this does not prevent it from being damaged by poaching.

In the 19th century, the elephant population was estimated at 4 million individuals! Nowadays, there are only 400,000 elephants in Africa and India. Unfortunately for the elephant, the largest animal on earth, is the victim of mass killings because of its sublime tusks.

In Africa and India, the ivory war is raging, and these pachyderms are the main target of poachers. It is estimated that 25,000 elephants are killed each year to sell their tusks and skin on the black market. Even if the situation in Asia is improving, the poverty of African countries offers them few means to fight to poach effectively.

5) The Shark

 It is perhaps one of the most endangered marine species on the planet we will talk about. Indeed, the shark is a super-predator that has existed for hundreds of millions of years on earth. This animal fascinates as much as it terrifies with its large jaw made of sharp and pointed teeth. Nevertheless, this monster of the seas does not escape the greed of Man.

The number of sharks killed each year is around 100 million. This figure is terrifying when compared to the population of certain terrestrial species. But contrary to what some might believe, the great shark is not killed to protect swimmers and surfers.

This massacre is the intensive fishing of sharks for their fins. Indeed, the Japanese love a dish called "fin soup," which motivates the trawlers to contribute to this massacre. In addition to killing them without respecting international rules, the trawlers cut off their fins and throw the rest of their bodies into the sea. In this way, the shark agonizes for long hours on the bottom of the water before succumbing.

Nothing is more horrible than killing an animal and throwing its body away like garbage.

The Consequences of Animal Disappearance

Large animal species are essential to our ecosystem. By being at the top of the food chain, predators alone regulate the entire natural world. Thanks to animals like the Tiger, the number of herbivores remains stable.

The disappearance of animals completely disrupts the food chain, allowing smaller species to rise to the top. So what's the problem, you might ask?

Well, if some animals were not at the top of the food chain, it was for a good reason! Nature doesn't do things randomly, and each animal plays a precise role in the balance of its ecosystem. So, if you remove the pandas from central China, a gigantic bamboo forest will be born.

The main problem of the disappearance of animals, in addition to their historical heritage, is, therefore, an impoverishment of bio-diversity. In this regard, many scientists have studied this subject and have concluded that a bio-diversity rich in species and undisturbed by Man's actions offers many advantages. For example, the risk of natural disasters is reduced, and there is a wide range of animal and plant resources.

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 How to Protect these Beasts from Extinction?

1) Act to preserve their environment

 After becoming aware of the significant issues surrounding this problem, you may want to make yourself useful. Nothing is more straightforward, and you can readily join an association that fights to protect animals. The WWF, for example, offers you the opportunity to commit yourself to this cause as a volunteer. This is the most famous one, but there are many others.

By getting involved, you will take part in the implementation of infrastructures to favor the habitat of species threatened with extinction. You will also be initiating awareness campaigns for the younger population on the importance of preserving natural environments.

It is a noble cause to dedicate your life to animal protection. If you don't want to get directly involved, you can rely on your social networks for the actions and successes of your association. This may give ideas to some people and allow you to keep your friends and family informed about the current situation of our planet.

2) Consume responsibly

Acting is essential, but if we do not change our consumption habits, all our efforts will be in vain. To consume a product that comes from a company that participates in the destruction of natural habitats encourages and finances it indirectly. The only adequate solution to slow down this kind of practice is a boycott.

So do everything you can to find out as much as you can about the origin and make-up of the furniture you buy, for example, because some big brands play a significant role in the massive deforestation of forest countries.

It is also advisable not to finance the black market by buying a product from a protected species. Avoid all carpets and clothing made of animal skins, as these come directly from poaching. It is with small everyday actions that we can make a difference. If everyone started adopting this kind of behavior tomorrow, our beautiful animals would have nothing to worry about!

To summarize

 Therefore, we can conclude that economic reasons are the main ones responsible for the disappearance of certain animal species. Whether it is poaching that allows hunters to make large sums of money from the resale of fur, or companies that destroy the habitat of animals to expand their empire, the result is always the same: money!

This greed endangers magnificent animals such as the Tiger or the Panda, to name but two. These 2 Asian beauties are affected by deforestation and poaching, not to be far from total extinction.

As you can imagine, the disappearance or reduction of these animals causes significant problems in the ecosystem. Entire forests and savannahs see their environment disrupted by the disappearance of a large predator. For example, in the absence of the tiger, herbivores would increase without limit and destroy vast agricultural territories.

Fortunately, there are solutions to prevent this from happening. In this way, if you want to work for the good of the planet, you can get involved in concrete actions through associations. On the other hand, if you don't have the time or the motivation to do that. Then you can very well act by consuming eco-responsible products that do not destroy the environment of these wild animals.

Thanks to this article, you are now a true expert on animal protection. Because you know which human activities are harmful and contribute directly to the destruction of habitats.

It is because the priority of Tiger-Universe is to ensure a bright future for animals that we put our expertise at your disposal. Like the gorilla or the shark, the big cat is far too majestic to be left to disappear without action!

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