length: 2131 words 6.1 double spaced pages what is a species? what exactly is an endangered species? what is an extinct species? how have these species come to the point of becoming endangered or extinct? what can we do to save the endangered species that are near extinction? can we actually do anything to save these species, or is it a lost cause? why should i care? the answer to many of these questions is not know by most people. As much attention as this subject gets from environmental groups and agencies, it gets just as much ignoring by the general public. Many people feel compelled to help or contribute, yet few seldom do carry out their intentions.

This is a very serious subject that needs to receive immediate and full attention from the general public. The concept of extinction just doesnt seem to be fully understood by many people. If we continue at the present rate we are at now, we could lose one bird or mammal species per year by the year 20. These concepts and questions will be fully answered by the time you have completed reading this paper. According to the american heritage dictionary of the english language, a species is a fundamental category of taxonomic classification, ranking after a genus, and consisting of organisms capable of interbreeding. A simpler working definition agreed upon by most biologist is if two visibly different though similar groups of organisms live together with little or no sign of interbreeding, they are considered to be separate species. A definition of endangered species and a classification of when a species is endangered is such, organisms once common and abundant but now rare in numbers in the wild are considered to be endangered.

These are important fundamental concepts that need to be understood before anything can actually be done to help save or prevent endangered species from becoming extinct. The methods and causes of many species becoming endangered and extinct are many and varied. Yet they are all related and caused by one all important underlying factor, humans.

How to Make Teaching Essay Writing Fun

Humans are responsible for nearly every endangered species being that way and for very many of the species that have become extinct within the past few hundred years. The main reason for a species becoming endangered is the loss of natural habitats. Each year thousands of acres of rainforests are cut down or deforested, wetlands and marshes are drained, and slowly but surely the grasslands are being replaced by cities, towns, and highways. When a species natural habitat is destroyed or reduced, there is basically nowhere to go.

A displaced species of a destroyed or severely polluted habitat often times cannot adapt fast enough or well enough to survive. The reduction causes an increase in the population density of not only that particular species, but every other species in that habitat as well. With higher population densities, resources such as food, water, and nesting places become so sparse that they cannot possibly support the demand.

Many of the already extinct species went through this exact process of their demise. The second major reason of endangerment and extinction is poaching and commercial hunting. Often times an animal is killed in such a brutal way that it not only cruel but inhumane as well. They will kill and massacre often times for one small part of the animal that they can sell on the black market. Elephants are hunted solely for their tusks which are made out of ivory, a extremely valuable material that is often use to make several different kinds of art or jewelry. Tigers, leopards, cheetahs and jaguars are hunted for their fur hides which can be made into all kinds of clothing and apparel.

College Essay Rock Climbing

Lastly, rhinos are hunted and killed for their horns which are believed by some to contain magical powers and spirits. Some of the time, rare animals are trapped and exported to private zoos or laboratories, which is just as serious of a crime. Although most countries have strict rules and regulations about the hunting and transporting of these animals, it seems that a few are always getting around these laws or getting away with their crimes. The blubber and meats of whales are used in many, many different products such as lipstick, mascara, whale oil. Although many countries such as the us and canada are now leading the way to ban all such whale hunting, many other countries such a japan, norway, sweden, and finland continue to hunt these whales.