Why are Species Around the World Endangered?

Umika Tunuguntla 

Ms. Asuncion 

English 9 Honors, Block 2 

3 February 2016 

Why are Species Around the World Endangered? 

Many species around the world have been endangered from the beginning of the Holocene Epoch, which is our current period of time ranging back to thousands of years ago (Hogan par.2). The causes of their endangerment are all related to the rapid increase of the human population (Hogan par.1). The three main causes are habitat destruction, pollution, and the hunting of animals. I think we should work to stop these human causes before it is too late.If some species continue to be endangered, then they would become extinct in a shorter amount of time compared to other species. 

Habitat loss is a great threat to various species on this planet. According to IUCN’s Red List, it is a threat to 85% of all species (WWF Global par.1). Humans destroy land for agricultural purposes, natural resources, and industrialization. The destruction of forests is called deforestation. When a habitat is changed too much for human needs, it reaches a point where it can’t support a species anymore. Around half of the world’s forests have been destroyed, and are still being destroyed at a much faster rate than the rate of restoration (WWF Global par.5). If this keeps up, the population of species would dramatically decrease, causing them to become extinct even faster. The Giant Panda in China is highly endangered because of its habitat being destroyed (Smith par.8). Giant Pandas live in bamboo forests, and their diet mainly consists of bamboo (Smith par. 4). Bamboo forests being destroyed directly affect pandas, posing as a serious threat to them.   

Various types of pollution can also be harmful to animals. There is ocean pollution and air pollution. Ocean pollution is when there is too much human waste or trash in waterways. A major example of ocean pollution that can seriously harm animals in the sea is an oil spill. 50% of the world’s petroleum is used in North American and European countries, so it is transported around the world regularly by sea (Davis par.27). Due to the regularity of oil being transported, an accidental oil spill is inevitable. Animals that get covered with oil die quickly because their protective coat of fur or feathers is lost, and they get too cold (Davis par.29). Air pollution is when chemicals get released into the air from factories causing birds to die. Pollution decreases the population of species because of its dangerous effects on them. 

Another reason why animals are endangered is because they are illegally hunted and traded. They are traded because their parts have a lot of value. For example, elephants are poached for their ivory and tigers are hunted down for the skin and bones (WWF par.3). The practice of poaching threatens several endangered species on this earth as it becomes more and more common. Rhino poaching increased from 13 to 1,004 over just a span of six years (WWF par.1). When animals are poached and taken away from their environment, the rest of the species can’t reproduce quickly. This continues to happen, and the population gradually decreases. 

Species are endangered all over the world because of habitat destruction, pollution, and the hunting of animals. These are all caused by humans because of their needs and ways. These causes of endangerment continue to endanger species, and could be the reason for the extinction of species in the near future if they are not stopped.  

Works Cited 

Davis, Jay. “Wildlife and Pollution.” MarineBio. MarineBio Conservation Society, n.d. Web. 11 January 2016. 

Hogan, Michael. “Endangered Species.” The Encyclopedia of Earth. Boston University, 29 June 2014. Web. 11 January 2016. 

“Illegal Wildlife Trade,” WWF. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 11 January 2016. 

“Impact of Habitat Loss on Species.” WWF Global. n.p, n.d. Web. 11 January 2016. 

Smith, P.A. “Giant Panda.” Animal Fact Guide. Brown Bear Creative, 24 August 2014. Web. 11 January 2016.