ENDANGERED SPECIES

Definition

Generally, an endangered species is an organism in danger of disappearing from the face of the earth if its situation is not improved. When its race has not been seen in the wild for over fifty years, we say that it is extinct. Those species that may soon become endangered are called threatened or endangered species.

Causes

The species are extinct or have reduced stocks for several reasons, but the main cause is the destruction of habitat due to human activities. As species evolve, most of them are adapted to specific habitat or environment that best meets their needs for survival. Without this particular habitat, the species cannot survive.

Human activities such as pollution, wetland drainage, conversion of savanna to pasture, deforestation, urbanization, destruction of coral reefs, and road and construction have destroyed or seriously damaged and fragmented available habitats into smaller areas.

This reduces their genetic diversity, making them less adaptable to environmental or climatic change, and leaves them highly vulnerable to extinction. Sometimes fragmented habitats become so small that they can maintain a sustainable population.

Main Causes to Remember

Destruction of habitat due to human activities

Deforestation Urbanization Destruction of coral reefs Personal uses; coats, belts, clothing

accessories, etc. Construction of roads Global Warming due to exploitation of

our resources

Endangered Species in P.R.

Cotorra puertorriquenna ‘Cotorra puertorriqueña’

The Puerto Rican parrot, a bird endemic to Puerto Rico, was abundant throughout the island and in the islands of Culebra, Vieques and Mona. It is estimated that when the Spanish colonized Puerto Rico, the parrot population reached one million individuals. It is currently only in the Caribbean National Forest (known as "El Yunque") in the northeast of the island, Rio Abajo and several individuals in captivity.

The dramatic reduction in the number of parrots to the late nineteenth century was mainly due to deforestation for agriculture, which removed large areas of mature forest. By the decade of 1940 the only population of the Puerto Rican parrot was in the Sierra de Luquillo, popularly known as "El Yunque", east of Puerto Rico. Among the causes of the dramatic reduction include habitat destruction, poaching and competition for cavities with species like the brown thrush. Hurricane Hugo had a great impact on the population reducing the wild population of 47 individuals to 22 individuals.

Conservation Measures

The Puerto Rican was designated as endangered species in 1967. In 1968 he began a cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to recover this species. It included a captive propagation program that continues to this day. Other recovery activities include the construction of artificial cavities for both the Puerto Rican parrot to the brown thrush and the observation of nests to avoid predation and to ensure normal development of eggs and chicks.

The captive population is maintained for several purposes: to play parrots and increase their number to ensure additional populations, particularly in the case of a natural disaster such as a hurricane and to eventually be able to provide birds for reintroduction into the woods where they lived. Currently there are about 50 individuals in captivity in the Luquillo Aviary.

Leatherback, or Tinglar

The leatherback is found throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans from Labrador (Canada) and Alaska to Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The leatherback remains all his life in the ocean. During the breeding season it migrates to the tropics to nest. In Puerto Rico it nests on the beaches of Mayaguez, Anasco, Rincon, Isabela, Arecibo, Cabo Rojo, Guanica, Sprockets, Luquillo, Fajardo, Humacao, Mona and Culebra. Also nests in the Virgin Islands.

In Puerto Rico, the nesting areas have decreased in number due to the development of the beaches and coastal areas. This loss of carrier is mainly due to the construction of residential, tourist and industrial and urban expansion in coastal areas. However, the reflections of lights in developed areas (such as direct lighting Beach) produce disorientation both adult and neonatal turtles. Many infants when they leave the nest, instead of returning to the sea, they become disoriented by the lights and go away from the sea, where they are eaten by predators, killed by cars or killed by exposure to sunlight. Add to this adversity they may face hatchlings in your career to the sea. They can be damaged by domestic animals (like dogs), or preyed upon by sea birds or crabs. The vandalism of nests, stealing eggs and killing the females when they come to nest are serious problems affecting the species. The leatherbacks are especially susceptible to the ingestion of plastics at sea, when confuse them with jellyfish.

Conservation Measures

The leatherbacks, like all sea turtles are protected by several federal laws and government of Puerto Rico. This species was included in the list of endangered species in 1970. The kill, harm, harass, catch, buy or sell a turtle 'part of it (eggs) or any material derived from it (soap, lotion, clothes) is a serious federal crime that can result in a fine of up to $ 50,000 and / or one year in jail.

It is important to implement educational programs on marine turtle conservation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife is conducting population studies in Culebra, Anasco and elsewhere on the island to protect the species and gather valuable information for retrieval.

Golden Coqui

The golden coqui has only been found in Puerto Rico, in a small semi-circular area with a radius of 6 miles south of Cayey, this is in the Sierra de Cayey. It is usually at elevations between 700 to 850 meters. Live in areas with a dense growth of bromeliads,which grow in isolated trees, on the surfaces of rocks and on the margins of forests in mountainous areas, where they receive a large amount of moisture inthe form of dew. It is normal to find two or more juveniles of different kinds and sizes in a bromeliad. There is currently the population level, which can be critical. In studies conducted in the late 80's, no individuals of this species.The areas where the coqui was discovered, have been cleared and developed.

Although this species has not been heard, or seen in recent years, one can not conclude that it is extinct. This despite the fact that coqui has not been seen orheard in years many of us continue to hope to continue living. As we can see to save the endangered species we must also protect the environment, it is believed that the cause of his disappearance it was deforestation.

Endangered Species in other Parts of the World

Panda Bear

Although their habitat and population is on the decline, giant panda facts are more abundant today thanks to the studies of animal scientists and conservation groups. Difficult to observe in the wild, giant panda and cub information was scarce and difficult to gather. One of the most alarming panda bear facts is the size of their total population. The worldwide total estimate is less than 1600 and has put the giant panda bear on the endangered species list. Their ability to survive as a species is challenging. The most critical factor is the destruction of their natural habitat.

Since pandas are dependent on a bamboo diet, their diminished habitat has put them at risk. Part of the bamboo plant’s life cycle includes periodic die-offs after flowering. This can affect entire forests of bamboo. Pandas normally roam to new forests, but this is not possible if their range is confined or disconnected.

The giant panda is endangered and conservation is mandatory to save it from extinction. The giant panda is endangered for many reasons: global warming, commercial logging, farming, and illegal poaching.

Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragon is the world's largest reptile, lives in Indonesia, the islands Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang, and the Lesser Sunda Islands. If they reach adulthood, they can grow to 2 to 4 feet, and weigh between 80 and 140 kilograms. It is a carnivorous species that feed on large prey whole. Feeding, the Komodo dragon, stalk their prey and although they are extremely slow, when they have at their disposal they manage to tip a bite, which though small is enough to kill its prey.

They can capture large mammals such as buffalos. In appearance are similar to crocodiles, but more slender, come from the family of dinosaurs, and its special features are its extensive language and speed and can reach 20 kilometers per hour. The Komodo dragon saliva is extremely poisonous, this, coupled with the fact that feeds on farm animals, make unpopular among the people, but also prey for hunters collection. These reasons make this species is currently in serious danger of extinction.

About the WWF

WWF- World Wildlife Fund

For more than 45 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.

Mission

WWF's mission is the conservation of nature. Using the best available scientific knowledge and advancing that knowledge where we can, we work to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth and the health of ecological systems by

-protecting natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including endangered species;

-promoting sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources; and

-promoting more efficient use of resources and energy and the maximum reduction of pollution.

Conclusion

This should be an issue that we all should take care of. Every single animal in the planet is an important component to the balance of our ecosystem in different ways. They keep our planet in the order it should be. The exploitation of species will eventually end up in a tragedy we can no longer fix. This is a calling to each and every one of us to make a difference, not only because animal are being exticnt, but because the Earth needs us. The tinyest effort from every person here WILL make a difference, and eventually, nature will pay us in ways we wont be able to beleive.

Let’s take animal conservation seriously, taking care of animals as if they were our blessings will be the best way to repay and conserve

our mother Earth.