The number of people on the planet is only increasing, cities are growing, that is, conditions are being created for the disappearance of representatives of flora and fauna. Scientists have calculated that the extinction of living organisms has increased 1000 times compared to the natural rate of decline. And some experts generally sound the alarm and compare the current situation with the extinction of dinosaurs, which was 65 million years ago.
Black Book
Many people know what the Red Book is, but few suspect the existence of the Black Book of Extinct Animals. It contains all kinds of flora and fauna that have disappeared from the face of the Earth since 1500. And the data of this book is disappointing, 844 species of animals and 1000 species of vegetation have disappeared forever. Statistical data were entered into the document by processing information from naturalists, naturalists and natural monuments, ancient manuscripts and sketches.
Against this background, the idea arose to create a Red Book, which will include information about representatives of flora and fauna that are endangered. However, it cannot be said that she helped somehow correct the situation.
XVI-XVIII centuries
Three centuries inbook of extinct animals brought many species. Missing rodents living in Haiti and the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, a night bird from Ascension Island.
In the 17th century, more than 10 species of birds finally disappeared, these are the Martinique macaw, Debois shepherd, Dodo and others. Gone are the aurochs and paleopropitecus, the giant fossa, the closest relative of the mongoose.
In the next century, the Caroline parrots, the Réunion pink pigeon, the Steller's cormorant and others disappeared. Giant tortoises and relic pink pigeons, Steller's cows and cormorants have ceased to exist in the Mascarene Islands.
XIX-XX centuries
The most striking example of extinct animals due to human fault is the passenger pigeon. According to eyewitnesses, these were very voracious birds, so they were uncontrollably destroyed in the sky over North America during their migration. The last specimen of this species died at the zoo in 1914.
The heather grouse was exterminated because of the delicious meat. Due to the excellent qualities of the skin, the quagga suffered. This equid-hoofed animal resembled a zebra in front, and had the color of an ordinary bay horse in the back.
The wingless auk fell victim to the greed of connoisseurs of its fluff and delicious meat, the last individuals were exterminated in 1844 on a small island near Iceland. And in almost 99% of cases, all these animals became extinct due to the fault of man.
Current situation
The problem of species extinction is not far-fetched at all. Today, about 40% of all representatives of the floraand fauna are endangered. If the trend continues, then in 100 years the account will go to millions of individuals.
The data of the International Union for Conservation of Nature is horrific, 1 species or subspecies disappears annually. Regional extinction is not uncommon, that is, a certain type of animal or vegetation disappears in a particular region or country.
Snow leopard, or irbis
Endangered animal, in the Red Book of Russia, the irbis is assigned the first category. To date, according to experts, no more than 100 individuals remain in the country.
This is a unique wild cat that can't growl, only purr. In appearance, it is very similar to a leopard, has a squat body fit and a long tail. Males are larger than females and can reach 55 kilograms.
The habitat of the snow leopard is Mongolia, the central part of Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the western part of China and Tibet. Occasionally found in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. As the prey rises, the snow leopards rise to the subalpine and alpine zones, in winter, respectively, they descend to the territory of coniferous forests.
The inexorable decline in the population of this wild cat is due to the huge popularity and beauty of its fur. For a long time, snow leopard skins were at the peak of popularity. Even today, in some stores in Mongolia, you can buy animal skins, despite the fact that shooting a snow leopard is prohibited.
Amur tiger
Another endangered animal is the largest tiger on the planet, living in snowy areas. On thetoday this representative of the fauna is listed in the international Red Book. We can still meet him in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories. Russian statistics say that there are approximately 450 Amur tigers left. Although he was taken under protection in 1947. Worldwide, the population has declined 25 times over the past century.
An interesting feature of the animal is that its coat becomes lighter in winter to make it easier for the animal to disguise itself. They are almost always on the move, constantly looking for prey and bypassing their possessions. The beast almost never catches up with its prey if the first attempt was unsuccessful. If the number of animals in the forests is reduced, then they descend closer to settlements and attack dogs and livestock.
Chimpanzee
An endangered animal, again due to human activity. A surge in mortality has been observed for the last 25-30 years. The extinction of the species is associated with the destruction of the natural habitat of chimpanzees. In Africa, trees on which monkeys spend the night have been rapidly cut down, and slash-and-burn agriculture is actively used. Baby chimpanzees are hunted down for sale, while adults are shot for meat. Another factor that is leading to a decline in the population is human diseases, to which chimpanzees are very susceptible, and contacts between them and humans are becoming more and more frequent.
African Elephant
This large mammal is also endangered. And this is due to poaching for the extraction of ivory. For 10 years, to1990, the population was halved. So, in 1970 there were 400 thousand individuals, in 2006 only 10 thousand elephants remained. In the Gambia, Swaziland, Burundi and Mauritania, African elephants have disappeared altogether, while in Kenya the number has decreased by 85%.
Despite all attempts by the state to save this endangered animal, poachers are still engaged in the extraction of ivory.
Galapagos Sea Lion
This inhabitant of the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador is also already under threat of extinction. Compared to 1978, the population has decreased by 50%. First of all, this is due to strong fluctuations in the temperature of the surface of the water, which adversely affects the climate near the Pacific Ocean. The approach of residential settlements to the habitat of the sea lion also negatively affects the number, most often the cause of death of the animal is dogs that bring infectious diseases to the habitat.
Grevy's Zebra
These representatives of the fauna may also soon be included in the list of those animals that have become extinct. These animals live in the territories of deserts and semi-deserts from Egypt to North Africa.
Because of its beautiful skin, in fact, the animal suffers, it is shot for this very reason. It is believed that in the middle of the 20th century the total number was 15 thousand. At the beginning of the 21st century, only 2.5 thousand remained. There are 600 animals in captivity.
Previously, the extermination of the animal wasFor another reason, it was believed that Grevy's zebra deprives livestock of food, eats the same herbs and shrubs. However, more recent studies have shown that the zebra feeds exclusively on tough types of grasses that are not consumed by domestic animals.
In fact, this list of endangered animals is incomplete, today it is almost limitless. And the main reason why this happens is human activity, the destruction of the environment and the advance of civilization to the most remote and wild places of our planet. To save the planet, it is necessary that every person takes this problem as a personal one and contributes to the conservation of endangered animals.
