Endangered Animals:
What is the definition of an endangered species?
Endangered means a species is in danger of becoming extinct.
Endangered or threatened animals.
Endangered Means There is Still Time.
WWF ( World Wildlife Fund) has worked to protect endangered species. WWF doesn't determine which species are considered endangered. The IUCN (the World Conservation Union) is the organization that WWF and other conservation groups, government agencies, scientists and academics look to for that information. IUCN brings together the world's leading scientists, including those from WWF, to assess the conservation status of species, subspecies, varieties and subpopulations on a global scale, highlighting species threatened with extinction and promoting their conservation.Some of the endangered animals are tiger, lion, elephant, giant panda, gorillas, rhinoceroes, etc.
Elephants:
There are two main species of elephants.
1. African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) :
The african elephant is classified as a member of the order Proboscidea (Elephants) and is a member of the family Elephantidae. The male stands up to ten feet high to its shoulder, and weighs up to six tons. The female is slightly smaller, and weighs up to four tons. It is classified as an endangered species due to a reduction of at least 50% of the african elephant population over the last three generations based on an index of abundance. Hunting of the african elephant is now banned in several countries, but poaching for ivory still exists.
2. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) :
The asian elephant is classified as a member of the order Proboscidea (Elephants) and is a member of the family Elephantidae. It stands up to ten feet high and twenty feet long. It weighs up to 10,000 pounds. The asian elephant is classified as an endangered species due to a reduction of at least 50% of the asian elephant population over the last three generations based on an index of abundance and a decline in area of occupancy. The Asian elephant has four subspecies: the Indian, Ceylon, Sumatran, and Malaysian elephantsElephants are the largest living land animals, with adults sometimes weighing six tons or more. Of the two species, the African elephant is larger and more plentiful than the Asian elephant. But both are threatened by shrinking living space and poaching for the ivory trade.Modern elephants are the last survivors of the old and varied "trunked" family of mammals that once ranged the entire planet. These heirs of such mighty creatures as the extinct mastodon and mammoth and occupy a unique place in their habitat in Africa and Asia. As huge and powerful consumers, elephants are considered to be a keystone species in their environment, affecting biodiversity in the regions they inhabit. They open up areas of forest where light-dependent plants can take hold, for example, creating habitat for grazing animals. Such elephant roadways also act as fire breaks or drainage conduits and are littered with partially digested, ready-to-germinate seeds conveniently fertilized in elephant dung. The wells elephants dig in search of water are used by virtually all other wildlife in a given region, particularly during periods of drought. On the other hand, elephant activity can also be seen as destructive, particularly under the pressures of human landscape transformation that force the animals into smaller areas. As habitat shrinks, their voracious appetite can bring them more frequently into conflict with people.WWF is working in Asia and Africa to protect this magnificent and vital animal and to preserve its shrinking habitat.
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus):
The cheetah is an atypical member of the cat family (Felidae) that is unique in its speed and stealth, while lacking climbing abilities.The word "cheetah" is derived from the Sanskrit word chitrakaya, meaning variegated body.The cheetah's chest is deep and its waist is narrow. The coarse, short fur of the cheetah is tan with round black spots measuring from 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) across, affording it some camouflage while hunting. There are no spots on its white underside, but the tail has spots, which merge to form four to six dark rings at the end. The tail usually ends in a bushy white tuft. The cheetah has a small head with high-set eyes. Black "tear marks" run from the corner of its eyes down the sides of the nose to its mouth to keep sunlight out of its eyes and to aid in hunting and seeing long distances.The cheetah is a vulnerable species. Out of all the big cats, it is the least able to adapt to new environments. It has always proved difficult to breed in captivity, although recently a few zoos have managed to succeed at this. Once widely hunted for its fur, the cheetah now suffers more from the loss of both habitat and prey.
Unlike males, females are solitary and tend to avoid each other, though some mother/daughter pairs have been known to be formed for small periods of time. The cheetah has a unique, well-structured social order. Females live alone except when they are raising cubs and they raise their cubs on their own. The first eighteen months of a cub's life are important - cubs learn many lessons because survival depends on knowing how to hunt wild prey species and avoid other predators. At eighteen months, the mother leaves the cubs, who then form a sibling, or "sib" group, that will stay together for another six months. At about two years, the female siblings leave the group, and the young males remain together for life.
Lion (Panthera leo):
The lion is a member of the family Felidae and one of four big cats. The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a possibly irreversible population decline of 30 to 50 percent over the past two decades in its African range; populations are untenable outside designated reserves and national parks. Although the cause of the decline is not well understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are currently the greatest causes of concern. Lions have been kept in menageries since Roman times and have been a key species sought after and exhibited in zoos the world over since the late eighteenth century. Zoos are cooperating worldwide in breeding programs for the endangered Asiatic subspecies.Visually, the male is highly distinctive and is easily recognized by its mane. The head of the male lion is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture. It has been depicted extensively in literature, in sculptures, in paintings, on national flags, and in contemporary films and literature
The Indian lion is restricted to the Gir Forest in Gujrat. To protect this majestic animal from extinction the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park was formed in the year 1972.
Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) :
The black rhinoceros is classified as a member of the order Perissodactyla (Odd-Toed Hoofed Mammals) and is a member of the family Rhinocerotidae. The black rhinoceros grows up to twelve feet long and six feet high. It weighs up to three thousand pounds. The black rhinoceros is classified as a critically endangered species due to a reduction of at least 80% of the black rhinoceros population over the last three generations based on direct observation, an index of abundance, and a decline in area of occupancy. The black rhinoceros is the most aggressive species in the rhinoceros family, and can charge at speeds up to thirty miles per hour.Prehistoric in appearance and intriguing in behavior, rhinos in the late 20th century joined the ranks of the most critically endangered animals in the world. Rhinos are one of the largest free-roaming mammals left on the planet and they play an important role in ecosystems by serving as "landscape architects" of their habitat. Rhinos are seed dispersers, consuming various plants and then, as inadvertent gardeners, distributing their seeds throughout their range. Since it can take a rhino more than three days to digest a meal, seeds can be transported a significant distance before they are deposited in droppings. Rhino dung also enhances soil fertility and nourishes the landscape.The existence of this majestic species is increasingly threatened, due primarily to poaching and habitat loss. As the rhino is one of its flagship species, WWF is directing innovative conservation efforts in Asia and Africa that have already produced results and promise a more secure future for the rhino.
Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) :
The gorilla is classified as a member of the order Primates and is a member of the family Hominidae. The male gorilla grows to about six feet high, and weighs up to six hundred pounds. The female gorilla grows to about five feet high, and weighs up to two hundred pounds. The gorilla is classified as an endangered species due to the projected gorilla population declining to at the highest 50% due to a decline in area of occupancy. The gorilla is the largest and most powerful primate alive, but is a peaceful and sociable animal.The largest of the great apes, the gorilla is among our most endangered species. Having endured decades of civil war in Central and East Africa, gorillas are confronted by the devastating consequences of increased habitat loss, poaching for the bushmeat trade and the spread of dangerous diseases like Ebola.While the efforts to safeguard the different subspecies are meeting with varied levels of success, each remains a conservation priority for WWF. On the cusp of extinction prior to the hundredth anniversary of its discovery, the mountain gorilla population, which now totals more than 700 individuals, is beginning a slow increase, thanks to a dedicated effort and sound conservation initiatives. But the western lowland gorilla, the most numerous and widespread of the four subspecies, faces a severe Ebola crisis which, recent reports show, has caused a 56 percent decline in population across its range, with some of the hardest hit areas suffering even more.WWF continues to work in the field and engage its conservation partners in order to address these threats and protect this wondrous and endangered species. Together, we can provide a more secure future for the gorilla.
Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) :
The giant panda is classified as a member of the order Carnivora (Carnivores) and is a member of the family Procyonidae. The male giant panda stands up to five feet tall, and weighs up to 265 pounds. The female giant panda is smaller and weighs less. The giant panda is classified as an endangered species due to the fact that it only exists in severely fragmented subpopulations consisting of up to 250 mature adults, and that there has been continuing decline in the area of habitat. The giant panda feeds mainly on bamboo, even though it is classified as a carnivore.The lovable and charismatic panda is one of the most popular animals in the world. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most endangered. Found only in China, one of the world's most populous countries, the giant panda clings to survival, facing habitat fragmentation and poaching as its greatest threats. It is estimated that as few as 1,600 pandas remain in the wild today. WWF works to help giant pandas in the wild through a variety of programs, including scientific assessments, habitat conservation and outreach to local governments and people within the panda's home range.Pandas have been an integral part of our mission for more than two decades. In 1979, WWF was the first international organization to be invited into China to work on panda conservation. To this day, we remain the primary international conservation organization protecting pandas in the wild, and with your help we can ensure their survival.
Tiger (Panthera tigris) :
The tiger is classified as a member of the order Carnivora (Carnivores) and is a member of the family Felidae. The male tiger grows up to ten feet long from its head to the tip of its tail, and weighs up to 575 pounds. The tiger is classified as an endangered species due to the projected tiger population declining to at the highest 50% due to an index of abundance and a decline in area of occupancy. The tiger consists of eight subspecies, distinguished by the colour of their coat.The Tiger is a magnificent animal, the largest of the big cats. The tigers live in Asia. They have thick yellow fir with dark stripes. They are shy animals , preferring to live and hunt alone. They climb well , and are very graceful in their movements. But they are also fierce hunters killing wild pigs , deer and cattle for food. The tigers are in danger because its hunting areas being turned into farms and villages. Their numbers have been reduced because of extensive poaching in many Asian countries for their valuable skins. Their body parts are used in Chinese medicine and exotic recipes. In 1939 there were thought to be 30,000 tigers in India but today there are only 3000 left.
Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation project initiated in India in 1972 to protect the Bengal Tigers.WWF collaborated with other organizations on the most comprehensive scientific study of tiger habitats ever done. The study finds that tigers reside in 40 percent less habitat than they were thought to a decade ago and now occupy only seven percent of their historic range.The study also finds that conservation efforts have resulted in some populations remaining stable and even increasing, but concludes that long-term success is only achieved where there is broad landscape-level conservation and buy-in from stakeholders.
