Endangered

Information about Endangered Species:

A endangered species is defined a population of animals that has been determined by one or more organizations (an example is the International Union for Conservation of Nature) in danger of going extinct. It is believed that as many as 40% of all extant species on the planet would fall into this category. It is believed that there are several species alive today, or that were alive until recently, that have or will do extinct before they are discovered and identified.

Many steps have been taken by local and international authorities such as passing laws that forbid collecting, hunting or destroying the habitat of an endangered species. But these are often not enforced or ignored by local populations of humans trying to carve out a living in remote areas. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act was made law in in order to protect the animals and habitats of the county (species are added and removed as conditions change and there can be controversy and disagreement involving animals such as wolves.)

One critical factor in whether a species survives is maintaining the diversity of the gene pool. If there are too few animal alive, inbreeding will occur and the species will likely perish due to negative genetic attributes that are handed down and compounded with offspring. Captive breed programs, protection of the animals and their habitat, education of local populations and the promotion of green or ‘eco-tourism’ will likely be the only way to save many of these species.