What exactly does the term endangered species denote? There can be numerous definitions that correctly describe the term. It is any plant or animal whose survival is in jeopardy of becoming extinct. Extinction, of course, is when the species no longer exists, and there is no way it can be brought back to this earth. In most cases, the cause of this displeasing calamity is generally human-related.
As more time goes on, more species are in peril of becoming extinct. The rate at which they are being lost is startling, even when compared with the catastrophe of the extinction of the dinosaurs approximately 70 million years ago. Nobody knows exactly what the current extinction rate is, but according to leading scientists it is around 1,000 to 10,000 times greater than normal. The rate of extinction seems to keep escalating as time passes as well. Everywhere you go there are hundreds of species at risk of becoming extinct.
They are threatened in every habitat of every continent. Freshwater habitats, especially rivers and lakes, are severely affected by species extinction because of the lackadaisical dumping of hazardous wastes. Now you might ask yourself, “why are so many animals vanishing off the face of this earth?” Well, there are several different causes for the extinction of hundreds of endangered species. As I already stated, the majority of this lies on the shoulders of the disgraceful, careless measures taken by the human race. Hunting is one of the main reasons for animals in the wild becoming extinct.
The animals are sought after for food, for their skin, and in some cases, even their bones. Water pollution and air pollution take part in big roles in extinction as well. Regrettably, there is little one can do about air pollution. No matter where you set out, the air is crammed with smoke and detrimental gases. As far as water pollution goes, much can be done to prevent it.
People need to discontinue their carelessness and actually observe what they are doing for a change. There should be no reason for toxic wastes to be discarded into a body of water. In addition, forest fires, once again caused by carelessness, are destroying animal’s habitats. Their homes are also being destroyed as an outcome of deforestation, which is the removing of trees in a certain region. The amount of forest space is devastatingly diminishing.
People apparently believe that an animal’s life does not matter, as long as they obtain the satisfaction of constructing more houses and developments. While there are hundreds of endangered species throughout the world, there are also quite a few right here in New York. Here is a short list of just some of the ill-fated animals in danger of losing their existence_E= EndangeredT= ThreatenedP= ProposedCommon NameScientific NameStatusDistributionEagle, baldHaliaeetus leucocephalusEEntire stateFalcon, American peregrineFalco peregrinus anatumEEntire state – re-establishment to former breeding range in progressPlover, pipingCharadrius melodusETGreat Lakes WatershedRemainder of coastal New YorkTern, roseateSterna dougallii dougalliiESouthern coastal portions of stateCommon NameScientific NameStatusDistributionBat, IndianaMyotis sodalisEEntire stateCougar, easternFelis concolor couguarEEntire state – probably extinctWhale, blue*Balaenoptera musculusEOceanicWhale, finback*Balaenoptera physalusEOceanicThis information is from the U. S. Department of the Interior, U. S.
Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5-4/12/95. Unfortunately, that does not cover each and every one of the endangered animals that reside in New York. There is roughly 30-40 endangered species in New York, and the number is rising as we speak. Even though it is not exposed in the diagram above, the largest category of endangered species in New York is the mollusks. In addition to this list is a large number of endangered fish and insects as well.
One of the more familiar animals known to man which despondently happens to be endangered in New York is the Bald Eagle, also known as the Haliaeetus Leucocephalus. Its status in New York, as well as its federal status, is said to be threatened. Before the 19th century, there were approximately 80 nesting sites that were used by the bald eagle. They were more often than not positioned in northern and western New York. Bald eagles prefer quiet areas where there is a plethora of water to offer them their main diet, fish.
One of the many reasons .
